Time, Once Again, At the Cusp

“Beyond the edge of the world, there’s a space where emptiness and substance neatly overlap, where past and future form a continuous, endless loop. And, hovering about, there are signs no one has ever read, chords no one has ever heard.”

-- Haruki Murakami, author

Had a thought-provoking moment the other night while staring into the abyss at the Cusp of Forever.  I considered what I was standing at the cusp of.  The concept of "forever" would presuppose a continuation of time into infinity but, if time doesn't exist, how can this be?

I've said it before, and it bears repeating: Time does not exist. It is a human concept which gives structure to this plane of our existence. By definition, time is "the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues; a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future." For me, time is a mixture of "Schrödinger's Cat" (quantum theory) and the idea that if there's no one around to hear a tree fall, does it make a sound. In reality, you can't measure something that continues until it has continued, because any continuation is based on the supposition that it will, indeed, do so. Same for a continuum which is only valid if it continues. We can measure that which has occurred (the past) up until it becomes the now, but any future is based on our faith, a theory rooted in little or no proof that the next moment will, in fact, occur.

“Here we are, trapped in the amber of the moment. There is no why.”

-- Kurt Vonnegut, author

If there is no one around to experience what we define as the passage of time, does time actually exist?  I circle back to my original question as a way to answer myself: "Forever" would presuppose a continuation of time into infinity, but if time doesn't exist, how can this be? It is what it is until it isn't, is my answer.  Time doesn't continue for infinity until it does, and if it doesn't, does this mean time never existed?  And, if so, who would know?  Infinity is a series of infinite moments which stretch into a theoretical "future" which we think will occur but hasn't until it does.

I'm the first to criticize any scholar who states something is definite, something cannot or will not happen, something isn't possible.  The moment we give thought to something, it exists as a thought, whether it exists or not, in reality, is to be determined.  Therefore, time is a concept, a thought which we have given life and importance through our definition of it.  Like the 'perfect vacuum," it really doesn't exist and yet we have a need and use for the concept.

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”

-- Charles Darwin (1809-1882), geologist, biologist, naturalist

The concepts to define "meaning in life" don't even include time, and why should they.  Life is about "now" and, therefore, any meaning of life should be considered in the now, not in the past of into some future for which the is no proof.  If we live life in the now, we relieve ourselves of any worry concerning any moment which may, or may not come.  Each moment exists until it doesn't, and then its just another moment.

It is most proper, in my humble opinion, to concede that our perception of the concept of time, as far as we know, will continue until the end of our perception of the concept of time.  If it continues past that, then it has ended only in the respect that we no longer perceive the concept.  It is until it isn't and then, maybe it still is, but we won't know.

Who really knows for sure?

“Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time' is like saying, 'I don't want to.”

-- Laozi (601 BC-???), philosopher, writer

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.