Most of the stress, anxiety, and unhappiness experienced by human beings does not arise from the present moment. Instead, it originates either from memories of the past or worries about the future. This thought-provoking observation has been shared by renowned scientist Dr. Ajai Kumar Sonkar, who believes that nature offers a simple yet profound lesson on health and emotional well-being.
According to Dr. Sonkar, the present moment is often peaceful. “The past fills us with regret, guilt, disappointment, or emotional pain, while the future fills us with uncertainty, fear, and endless expectations. Very few people suffer because of the present itself. Our minds constantly travel between yesterday and tomorrow, forgetting that life exists only in the present.”
The scientist says that while the human brain has evolved with an extraordinary ability to remember the past and imagine the future, this remarkable capability comes with a biological cost. “The same intelligence that helped humanity build civilizations also exposes us to chronic psychological stress when the mind becomes trapped in regret or constant worry.”
Drawing inspiration from nature, Dr. Sonkar points to animals as silent teachers of emotional balance. “Most animals live in the present. They search for food when they are hungry, rest when they are tired, protect themselves when danger appears, and once the danger is over, they return to normal life. They do not repeatedly relive stressful events in their minds.”
The scientist further says that modern humans frequently express concern about food adulteration, polluted drinking water, and environmental contamination. “These concerns are real and deserve attention. Yet one cannot ignore an interesting observation. Street dogs and many other free-living animals often consume food and water that appear far less hygienic than what most humans consume. Despite these harsh conditions, many maintain healthy eyesight, strong teeth, lean bodies, and remain physically active throughout their lives.”
Dr. Sonkar clarifies that animals are not free from disease. “They certainly suffer from infections, injuries, parasites, and other illnesses. However, lifestyle-related disorders that have become common among humans, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and many stress-associated metabolic conditions, are comparatively uncommon in free-living animals.”
According to him, the explanation extends far beyond food alone. “Animals are not greedy. They do not accumulate unnecessary possessions. They do not spend their lives chasing social status or comparing themselves with others. They have no financial savings to worry about, no material clutter surrounding them, and no endless race for more. Their attention remains focused on one thing at a time. This single-pointed focus naturally keeps them anchored in the present.”
Dr. Sonkar explains that modern neuroscience has established a close relationship between chronic psychological stress and physical health. “When the mind remains continuously occupied with fear, uncertainty, resentment, or anxiety, the body’s stress response stays activated. Persistent elevation of stress hormones such as cortisol can influence immunity, metabolism, cardiovascular health, sleep, and emotional well-being. Living in the present is therefore not merely a philosophical concept—it has measurable biological significance.”
The scientist also highlights another remarkable difference between humans and animals. “If you lovingly feed a street dog, it remembers your kindness and greets you warmly whenever you return. If someone mistreats it, the animal may become cautious, but it rarely spends its life seeking revenge. It adapts, learns, and moves forward. Humans, however, often carry anger, hatred, and emotional wounds for years or even decades, allowing these emotions to silently affect both mind and body.”
Dr. Sonkar believes that this simplicity of living may represent one of nature’s greatest lessons for humanity. “The past should become a source of wisdom, not lifelong suffering. The future should inspire preparation, not constant anxiety. Real life unfolds only in the present moment.”
Concluding his observations, Dr. Sonkar says that true happiness may not depend upon possessing more wealth, more comfort, or more material success. “The healthiest and happiest life may belong to those who learn to fully experience the present while using the past only for learning and the future only for planning. Nature quietly demonstrates this principle every day. Perhaps the greatest medicine available to humanity is not found in a pharmacy, but in learning to return the mind to the present moment.”