exercises in Time and Self

When you start paying attention to reality, it becomes apparent that time is not what it seems. We often segment it into three categories: past, present, and future. Yet, two of these aren't real.

The easiest to eliminate is the future, which isn't real because it hasn't happened yet. The past also isn't real because, once again, those experiences do not exist right now.

Any recollection of past experiences is a theatrical play where your brain uses memory fragments to reconstruct what happened. Something is happening presently when we remember past experiences, but not the original experience. This, to my understanding, is supported by the current brain research.

Now that I've explained why both the past and future aren't real, what does this have to do with the Self/Ego? Understanding the illusory nature of the past and future naturally breaks down our sense of Self.

For our sense of Self to exist, it would have to incorporate some form of time outside of the present, implying the necessity of the past and future. But, as we've just shown, the past and future aren't real. Therefore, there is no place for the Self. Any possible formation of Self must incorporate more than present experience, but there isn't anything more!

How about an analogy?

Imagine a bridge (labeled "Bridge of Ego/Self") connecting two mountains (labeled Past and Future). This is typically our default assumption to explain reality (#1). But, we now see that the Past and Future aren't real; therefore, their mountains cannot be either, and we can erase the Past and Future mountains. When the mountains are gone (as in #2), there are no points for the Bridge of Ego to connect to, so it naturally dissolves away as a byproduct (#3).

Take some time this week to stop and really observe reality for a moment. Perhaps a 30-second pause without talking or moving. See how the space around you transforms when you pay closer attention. It's quite remarkable.