Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Meaning of Time
When I think of time, I think of the birth, growth, decay and death of all things. Everything is subject to impermanence. Yet our modern world is designed to make us feel that we can somehow beat time or save time, by making everything so convenient. If our body starts to show signs of decay, we can get botox, facelifts, hair plugs and hair dyes. Since we are too busy with work to make our own food, we can microwave our precooked meals, eat out or have it delivered. We can simultaneously socialize on ichat, text, email and facebook, without ever having to step foot outside the house or actually face anyone. We are so busy being busy that we are becoming increasingly out of touch with the natural cycle of life and I think at the root of this is a fear of death. I often hear people say they feel that each year passes more quickly than the last and I have also felt this way. It may be that we have created so much distraction from the fact that nothing lasts forever, that our sense of time has become completely warped.
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We HAVE warped our sense of time. It is crazy, when you put it down in writing how evident it becomes. Its as if in an effort to stay connected we have become disconnected. How stange that is.
ReplyDeleteYes thats it exactly our sense of time the idea or concept of time is warped ! its like an MC Esher scene wher we see ourselves in alternate time and space while exsistiing simultaneously Beyond our ability to comprehend>
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Paloma and Kerri. We have so many tools to stay connected and save time that we are even less connected.
ReplyDeleteI remember the days when "snail mail" was abundantly used. I think we have lost a true sense of contact with others by the invention of email. It only takes a few days for a letter to get anywhere! I have, as of late, reverted to writing letters to many of my friends; I think there's nothing better than getting a beautifully written letter in the mail, just like in "the olden days." :)
I totally agree Paloma. We have been moving so fast as a society that it seems we are trying to beat time yet time will always beat us....in the end!!I find it very interesting that the speed of the world have greatly increased in the past few years and people seem to be busier than ever instead of having even more time due to modern convenience. I have begun to observe the solstices and try to live with the natural rhythms and yet I find it difficult on a day to day basis because of my connection to the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post!