Present Moment Tracking builds on two earlier layers of practice. The first is Somatic Tracking, which is connecting to the sensations of the body in the moment. The second is Integrated Awareness, which is the combination of sharing your truth while tracking what is happening inside you as you share that truth. Oftentimes our truth includes judgments, overlays and stories, as well as physical sensations. This can feel overwhelming at first, however when we learn to share the entirety of our experience, we greatly deepen our connection with self and others.
Tracking the connection between you
Present Moment Tracking is the combination of Somatic Tracking and Integrated Awareness, however now we are bringing our tracking to the present moment, sharing what comes alive in the presence of another. This level of tracking can feel very intimate, as you are experiencing the focused attention of another, while also sharing what comes alive within you as you take in this attention. Present Moment tracking connects you to self, other and the field between you. It is the exciting exploration of tracking the field and the emergent connection between you and another in the present moment. It is an opportunity to live life fully in the moment.
The recordings explore the teaching and show how it can look in practice.
Through the Eyes of a Student
By Shalini Tewari
A group of us from the Heart iQ 90-Day Challenge have gathered online to practice the technique called Present Moment Tracking.
We have learned that circle practice is quite different from meeting one-to-one with our practice buddy as there are laws of energetic group dynamics that play out. These laws play out in any relationship that involves an intimate emotional connection, but is enhanced in groups because an ‘amplified field’ is created through multiple nervous systems running in connection with one other.
Present Moment Tracking combines somatic tracking of the body, along with the integrated awareness of any feelings, judgments, reflections, and all that is moving in you as you share. The additional component is that the content in Present Moment Tracking is specific to what is moving in you by being in connection with and receiving attention from another.
We tune in to the space by taking a few deep breaths together. Once we open our eyes, we take each other in silently.
‘*I’d like to share. May I have your attention please?’*The practice encourages that we take turns by going ‘popcorn style’, which means that we choose to share only when we feel fully moved to do so.
The space holders nod or say ‘yes’ and give the space taker their full attention. This is how the field becomes amplified, as each member of the group gives their undivided attention to the person sharing, they can really feel that focus of attention in their nervous system.
The one taking space takes a few seconds to breathe each one of us in and then takes a moment to notice and then track what is alive and moving as she receives our attention.
‘I can feel my solar plexus tighten and my palms are sweating. I feel very jittery and ungrounded.
As I look at each one of your faces individually, I notice a slight calmness come over my body and a warm sensation in my heart space. I feel nervous, but I also have a feeling of safety and love as I share.’
The practice really allows you to notice how you receive the attention of others, especially when we are given their full presence and attention. This alone is an intense source of nourishment and healing.
‘I notice that I really want to close my eyes and go within. There’s a sense that I am losing connection with myself, as I stay connected to you. I’m also noticing a judgment that I have to be careful about going into a story and only track what’s alive in this moment.
I can feel my body relax a bit as I speak those words. My solar plexus has released and my palms are no longer sweating. I feel more grounded.’
This practice involves speaking our present moment reality. So when we ask for attention, we have no idea what’s going to be spoken. There could be a-ha moments, pop ups, memories that come up. We are aware that as we bring our most heart connected selves to the practice and speak to what is alive in this moment, there is no getting it wrong.
‘Thank you for listening. I feel complete’.
The space is now open for those listening to share any generous and spontaneous responses from this share.
‘When you described the warm sensation in your heart, I noticed myself relax more into the space and a smile came across my face.’
‘When you shared your experience of feeling jittery and that your solar plexus was tight, I realised that I was holding my breath and not fully present with you.’
‘I could really resonate with wanting to close my eyes and go within, and when you spoke this, I noticed how my longing to stay in connection with you increased.’
After a few more responses, we reset the space and wait for the next kernel to pop…
Recording Notes
Christian describes present moment tracking as the third layer in a sequence of practices. The first is somatic tracking, connecting to the sensations of the body as they arise. The second is integrated awareness, where a person shares their truth while also naming what is happening inside them as they speak, including judgments, stories, pop-ups and conclusions. He notes that when someone shares without this awareness, it often comes across as rambling or stuck in a story, and the listener can feel disconnected from it.
Present moment tracking adds a further dimension. Two people make eye contact, breathe together and slow down, then one person shares not an update about their life but what is alive in the connection between them as they receive the other's attention. Christian describes this as requiring surrender, not only to oneself but into connection with another person, allowing whatever emerges in what he calls the body between you to be tracked and spoken.
He is clear that this is not coaching or fixing, and it is not about analysing the other person. The practice sits in not knowing what will be said until it is spoken, whether that is a feeling, a memory, or a sudden realisation. He frames this unpredictability as part of what makes the exchange feel alive and deepens intimacy between the people practising it.
Building Present Moment Tracking
- Somatic Tracking: connecting to sensations in the body as they arise
- Integrated Awareness: sharing your truth while naming what is happening inside you as you speak it
- Present Moment Tracking: sharing what is alive in the connection with another person as you receive their attention
