The practice of meditation can, and should, be focused on the present. On the one hand, we silence the disturbing voices that bind us to the past. On the other, we must block the often frightening pictures that we ourselves create to represent our concerns about the future. Since our own fears create these pictures, they’re neither comforting nor pleasant—and since there are countless possible futures that we have available to us, these “pictures” may not necessarily manifest as the actual future. Many of our personal conflicts and tensions can be resolved when meditation allows us to concentrate fully on the present. This is how we develop the ability to focus on what’s important, minimizing extraneous thoughts. The practice of meditation needs persistence and tenacity, as negative thoughts may return repeatedly, often through mere force of habit. The past is finished. Learn from it and let it go. As for the future, it isn’t even here yet—of course you should plan for it, but don’t waste your time worrying about it. Worrying is worthless. When you stop focusing on what has already happened and what may never happen, then you’ll be in the present moment. Then you’ll begin to experience joy in life.