No Past.
No Future.
Just The Present Moment.
Together.
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.
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.
The goal is to stay in the center lane of the Here and Now.
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
If I can’t speak about the past / future, what *can* I speak about?
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.
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.
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?
Games were held during the lockdown era of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be starting them up again sometime soon. Stay tuned for more information.
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”.