The Present Moment Game is an online social meditation that invites you to frame yourself squarely in the here & now.

Unlike most social encounters—where we regale one another with ideas we've accumulated, things we’ve done, places we’ve been, and plans for the future—when we play The Present Moment Game, all of that falls away.

What’s left in its wake is just empty space, ready for another, more rich kind of social experience to occur.

While the game was originally meant to be played in ‘real life’,
during the COVID-19 crisis, this site was created for people to
come together and play, digitally.

Update: As cities are now starting to re-open, formally-organized
games have come to a close. But please self-organize
an online game, or an in-person game of your own!

The rules of the game are simple, but strict: We neither speak about the past, nor refer to the future. That’s it!

The only other rule is to hold each other accountable to stay 100% present for the duration of the game. To do this, we imagine the past and the future like the two gutters of a bowling lane, both filled with kiddie bumpers. And just as the bowling ball will knock against a bumper to come back into the center of the lane, so, too, do we gently correct those we play with when someone strays away into the past, or veers into the future. When they do, we invite them back to the present by offering just one little word: Bump.

Saying ‘Bump’ notifies them that they’ve bumped up against what-has-been or what’s-to-come, stops them from continuing on, and invites them back into the here and now.

FAQ

So, if I can’t speak about the past or future, what *can* I speak about then?

You can talk about:

• What you’re thinking, in the present moment - “I think human connection is important, especially now, and it’s so nice to be here.” or “I’m aware that I don’t even know how long the present moment lasts.”

• What you’re feeling, at present - “I’m feeling awkward, ‘cause I’m not sure of the rules.” or “I’m feeling excited because I realize most of what I talk about in social circumstances is no longer available to me.”

• Present moment perceptions, curiosities about others, or anything that everyone can experience at the same time - “I can hear the rain falling on my roof.” or “Is anyone open to playing with our eyes closed for a little while?” or “I really want to howl.’” :::howls:::

And what kind of statements would elicit a ‘Bump’?

• “It was hard to pull myself away from Tiger King, to be here on time.” (Bump.)

• “I’m afraid that if I get sick, there won’t be anyone to take care of my dog.” (Bump.)

• “I thought what you said right there was really poignant.” (Bump.) But even just a slight rephrase to “I am experiencing your words as really poignant.” stays present, and avoids the Bump.

What if I just listen to others speak, without really participating?
Then I can avoid getting a Bump.
You could do that, but that’s not really what the game is about. It’s not about winning. In fact, there is no winning. It’s simply about consciously sharing the here and now with other curious and engaged people. And anyway, being bumped is an opportunity to become *even more* present, so don’t hold back!

Sounds kinda boring / heavy / uncomfortable / weird / daunting / woo / what-have-you.

Yup! It can be. But locking yourself in the present moment with others can also feel intimate, comforting, and nothing short of transformative. Patience is key to see what will unfold. A boring first 15 minutes can lead to an amazing last 45 minutes. Even a full hour of “boring” promises to yield something worthwhile.

Do I need to talk about the pandemic?
While we’re in a public health crisis with real-world implications, the conversation doesn’t necessarily need to go into the topic - though it’ll likely be ever-present in the subtext. We have 23 hours of the day to feel concern for those impacted, and anxiety about what’s to come. But the game offers us a one hour pause from it all, to simply be here now, untethered from what has happened, and unhinged from what will be.

Isn’t that privilege?

Yes, it is. Let’s be aware of that, grateful that we can take an hour away from it all, and use this hour constructively. The world needs all kinds of contributions right now, and taking time apart to ground ourselves first, ensures the sustainability of whatever it is that we have to offer others.

What if I forget, and mention something from the past, or refer to the future?

No worries. Someone will just say ‘Bump’. Even when we very consciously put limitations on the past and future, it’s practically inevitable that we’ll forget, and talk about that thing that happened that one time. Don’t make too much meaning out of the idea of doing it ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. Instead, receive your ‘Bump’ simply, reorient yourself back in the present, and begin again. 

How long does The Present Moment Game last?

The game should take around 90 minutes of your time; 60 minutes for the game itself, and a bit of time before to review the rules, and after for a short debrief of everyone’s experience.

How many people can participate in The Present Moment Game at a time?

In its digital format, the game is best played with at least 4-5 people at a time. We’re not yet sure of its upper limit, but imagine it around 10, or so. Make sure to play in ‘gallery view’ so you’re able to see all of the other players at the same time.

Cool. I want to play - how can I?

The Present Moment Game is available, for free, to anyone who would like to organize a game of their own. Here's how to do that. Already-organized games were held during the shelter-in-place era of the Covid-19 pandemic, but these have now come to a close.

What do I need to do to prepare for the game?

• Play by yourself. Sorry, friends, you can’t play with others on the same device, side-by-side on the screen. Find a place where you can be by yourself, uninterrupted by others.

• Cover up ALL clocks. Our goal is to go timeless. But that’s only possible if you cover up the clock on your computer (very important) as well as any other clocks or watches within view. And absolutely no peeking! The organizer will tell you when the game has come to a close.

• Turn your phone OFF. You can do it! But if you can’t, turn it face-down on silent mode, and don’t respond to any vibrations you may be aware of.

• Ensure your computer is plugged in, or fully charged. Not gonna be able to run to get your cord once the game begins.

• Commit your FULL attention. Our attention is a precious commodity that we give away freely to social media and streaming platforms, but rarely gift to other people, undivided, for a full hour in this way. Promise to give your full attention to the screen where the game is happening. Even if it gets “boring” for a period, be patient and reserve judgment. There’s something available for you and your other players on the other side of “boring”.
  

Seems like a laptop is best, but can I play via tablet or smartphone?

Playing via tablet, or especially via smartphone, is not recommended. It’ll be far more challenging to stay focused in the game with a hand-held device, but if you’re truly committed, and that’s the only option you have available, then make sure to be 100% hands-free. Prop your device up against a wall or put it in a stand for the complete duration of the game.

What can I expect from participating in a game?

The Present Moment Game can express itself in many different ways. It can feel light-hearted or serious, self-reflective or social, easy or surprisingly hard—and, chances are, it’ll feel like all these things, even within a single game. Each individual game is as unique as its participants, and has something of value to offer those who are both present, and patient enough for it to emerge.

What’s the point of The Present Moment Game?

The game is not intended for self-improvement, for learning how to offer or receive feedback, to level up communication skills, or for any other, explicit aim. In addition to raising humble funds for the benefit of The Red Cross (during the period where we were hosting $5 games online), its purpose is simply to create an opportunity for people to really BE with one another - especially in times like these.