from Be Here Now, by Baba Ram Dass

   "Did I ever tell you about the time that Tim and I . . . "

   And he'd say, "Don't think about the past. Just be here now."

   Silence.

   And I'd say, "How long do you think we're going to be on this trip?"

   And he'd say, "Don't think about the future. Just be here now."

   I'd say, "You know, I really feel crumby, my hips are hurting . . ."

   "Emotions are like waves. Watch them disappear in the distance on the vast calm ocean."
   He had just sort of wiped out my whole game. That was it—that was my whole trip—emotions, and past experiences, and future plans.

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I wonder: What are we left with when we lose our "whole game?" What are we left with if we lose our past, lose our future, lose our emotional reactions? All we have is this moment . . . right now. We lose our "whole game," but what do we gain?