Podcast #009 – What is Time? (Living in the Now)

Listen on iTunes
Subscribe on iTunes

Full Transcript

Time is probably not what you think it is. Time is not a second, minute or hour, these are just labels we use to measure time. One hour is a measurement, a length of time, just as a ruler measures distance within the first three dimensions. If we take a triangle, you may say a triangle has 3 sides, each 2 cm, but the measurement is not the object. In the same way, time is not the distance or how it is measured, time is as the triangle is in space.

So time can be measured, just like the side of a triangle can be measured. The length of the side of the triangle above is 2 cm, but you wouldn’t say the object is the measurement. In the same way, you wouldn’t say that the length of time, in this case 2 hours, is time. The triangle has a length of 2 cm and time has a length of 2 hours. Time is not the distance or measurement. Time is not an hour, a day, a year, or anything else. These are just measurements or lengths of time.

So then, what is time? Isaac Newton described time as an arrow or line that is constantly moving forward. In other words, it’s like an archer shooting an arrow that stays in motion forever. However, this often misunderstood. Most people think that the arrow represents a line and that the line (or arrow) is time with certain events shown as dots on the line. However, time is NOT the line, the line is simply the measurement, just like the centimeter. Time is the dot. Time is completely stagnant.

The dot continuously moves along the line, going through different periods or measurements, but time is always contained within that one small dot. Time is only now. Time is that dot moving forward across a line. Each and every event in your life is experienced in the dot – now, in the present moment. Time flows like a river. Time flows in the dot. Time just is, now.

This very moment is the only time for time. In other words, all we have is the present moment to experience and perceive our reality. The past and the future are simply illusions created by our “time labels” which we need to function in society. Can you imagine trying to plan a get together without measuring time? Even if everyone knew the correct location you would have to hope that everyone somehow showed up at the correct moment. You would be stood up for nearly every event.

Events only occur in the now, events never occur in the then (past or future.) You can plan, or measure, for events to happen in the future, but you can only experience them in the now or present moment. You can also think back to events that happened in the past, but you can never experience them again. Even if you were able to recreate a past event down to every last detail, it would still be a completely new and independent experience according to time, no matter how similar it felt to you.

Now and Then Dots

Time is a dot on a line and the line is measuring a distance. The dot is moving along the line as the years pass but you are always in the dot. The only possible time you can ever perceive anything is right now, this very second. As far as we know, time always has been and always will be, right now, this very moment.

Events occur in this present moment and when you sit back and just observe time passing, it’s almost as if time no longer exists. This is because you put away your tape measure and are no longer hurrying or rushing or paying attention to how many seconds are between two points. You simply just reside in your one and only point and allow everything to be as it is. You rid of your stresses and become fully conscious and aware. This is an extremely healthy and peaceful state of mind.

Of course, it is impossible to only reside in your “now dot” without worrying about future dots along the arrow of life. You should also take into consideration past dots that were experienced. However, just focusing on “then dots” and never taking the time to live in the now, which is the only time we actually experience anything, is a sad and insane way to live. You never are truly alive without experiencing time, our fourth dimension, as it occurs. Stop spending so much time measuring time and instead experience time.

Life in our four dimensions truly is something to marvel at. The first three make up our space and movement and the fourth allows us to comprehend it. Observing life happening, instead of applying any labels, is the easiest way to achieve peace. Allow everything to be, as it is, now.

Podcast #008 – One Silly Poem

Listen on iTunes
Subscribe on iTunes

Full Transcript

Words words words. Telling a story. Painting a picture. Pointers. Symbolizing an event or experience. Oh these words. Influential. Condescending. Potentially damaging. Inspiration. Condemnation. Just what the fuck am I saying?

But that’s just it, it’s all up for interpretation. You are the judge. What is the meaning? These words, oh so powerful, oh so moving. Tell me more. Say it in another way, get out your thesaurus. Synonym, antonym, don’t break my concentration. Put together these letters, it’s all about communication.

Knowledge is infectious and words are the virus. Spread the disease, never stop the exchange of information. Free the speech, don’t lock these words up. All words have a right to be, because you see, a word is only a word, but may cause an epiphany. Don’t be afraid if the words you know are wrong, because there are other conversations that you can rely on.

Just keep talking, keep the words aflow. Don’t be held down by any friend or foe. These words need not rhyme for you to say, but sound more organized that way. Fear will hold you back and perhaps turn you mute. It takes courage to speak up and commute. And when you first open your mouth, people may not get what you say. But remember, it’s all relative, mmmkay.

And remember this above all, the words you speak do not come from you at all. There is a power so majestic, queer and sublime, that the thought of its existence will really fuck your mind. All you’re doing is tapping into the muse, and borrowing these words for your own personal use. So don’t forget to return these words when you are done, for that is the only way to live on when you no longer see the sun. And as the sun rises for the very last time, you can smile, close your eyes and finally finish your rhyme. For that’s all life is, nothing more, nothing less. Just one silly poem that you just so happen to possess.

Podcast #007 – Filling the Void

Listen on iTunes
Subscribe on iTunes

Full Transcript

There is something in the back of the philosopher’s mind that can not be explained by anyone or anything. It can not be tested. Something that no matter how advanced we become, science will not provide an answer for. This void is constantly there and when thought about, it can make a mind go insane. Questions like – What is this that we’re experiencing? Why are we here? Where did this come from? These problems are deeply confusing and impossible to understand. We can’t even really prove that we exist at all. Our consciousness is truly amazing yet incredibly queer when attempted to be explained.

Our consciousness creates a struggle. Our brains have evolved to know, understand and explain. But we don’t have a way to explain these questions. And it seems so perplexing that we can probably assert that we never will. It’s the humility of accepting that and not just filling the void with anything that I find beautiful. Embrace doubt and search for answers.

We can all agree on essentially anything to fill the void if we want. But it’s using a combination of science and reason that can align the truth with the mystery. Instead of saying that we all agree that the earth is carried on the shell of a giant turtle, and if you believe it you will be granted an eternity of happiness, we can refuse to accept that and keep the search going. You can’t disprove this turtle, it may be the truth.

The problem with religion is that it stops the search. It stops the seeking of truth. When you know the answers to everything in life, what’s the point in looking? If you really know that when you die you will live on forever and ever in the most blissful joy you can imagine, it lessens the stress and desire to achieve something in this life. Afterall, if you know you have the afterlife set, you’re just kind of sitting through the previews right now. The feature presentation will begin eventually.

But this is flawed, because it is misaligned with truth. This claim that an afterlife exists at all has not be demonstrated. Therefore, it’s difficult to accept the claim. It doesn’t mean that we won’t live on, that can not be dis-proven, but we also can not make any claims about it. We can’t say anything about the afterlife, what it’s like or how to get there if we do not even know if it’s real. If you then default that it’s something we can’t comprehend, sense, or explain, then it is hypocritical and illogical to turn around and continue talking about it.

In religion, if you challenge something about God, it usually defaults to the mystery and incomprehensibleness of her nature. For example, if you want to question anything bad like rape, murder, why he “took” your son, or even some of the wars and slaughters from the old testament, the response most likely will be something to the degree of, “God works in ways we can not understand.” But then if in the next sentence, you talk about God’s love, what God is, or make any claims about God you have just committed a fallacy. How can you ever explain something that is inexplainable? There is no way of knowing or understanding that which can not be known. There is no spoon.

When this idea is shown, the concept of faith in their claim is generally brought up. “I know, it may sound weird, but I just want to sit here and have faith in my idea.” And that’s fine, you can have faith in anything. You could do this about anything, as Sam Harris has said, you can have faith that there is a diamond the size of a car buried in your backyard. The faith that there is could make you feel good. Digging for it hoping to find the diamond might bring you joy. But there is a truth here, either there is or isn’t a diamond buried in your backyard. And continuing to just have faith that there is is foolish.

It’s also difficult to accept the claims made about the incomprehensible when you’re looking at it from an outside perspective. You see millions of people laughing at the claims of Scientology, but to me it is equally as delusional to believe that there was a birth without conception. Ignore the fact that the baby who was born is our God, just the fact that a woman became pregnant and had a child without engaging in sexual reproduction with a man is amazingly difficult to accept. We’re not an asexual species by any means, it’s impossible. There is no reason to accept this claim. But many people do accept it, and believe it to be true because their void has been filled by an idea. And the idea makes this claim. And having the void filled is so important to them that they’re willing to accept any claims made by the idea, regardless if they’re compatible with truth.

When broken down it looks like – I believe A, A says B, therefore, B is true. However, this is a fallacy because A could be wrong. You just have faith that A is not wrong. Every other B, C and D claims that A makes still need to be verified independently. Even if A did happen to be true, you still can not accept another idea just because A suggests it. However, if you argument goes – A is true and is right about absolutely everything, A says B, therefore B is true, then there is no reason to continue any kind of conversation. You’re willing to accept anything and nothing can change your mind. This is a problem with faith.

However, although I hold such a high regard for truth, I do understand and accept that there still will always be a void. Not everything will be explained to me. This is why some people say “science solves the how and religion solves the why.” There is something instinctively beautiful and attractive to observing life in addition to knowing how it works. The beauty of the mystery is alluring, and it seems science doesn’t care about the why.

But science can help you determine the why by explaining the how. For example, the question of why do we get sick is explained by bacteria. But then if you ask why are there bacteria to make us sick, it gets tricky. You can talk about evolution and abiogenesis, but you can still keep going back further. Why are there stars? If you believe because of a big bang, why was there a big bang? Or if God created everything, why is there a God to begin with? Where did God come from?

I find it best to shrug my shoulders and say “I dunno.” I’m fine with embracing doubt. It wasn’t always like this, by I had a major shift in my perspective in 2008 when I read A New Earth and learned about the present moment. Truth, knowledge and understanding are very important to me, but there is also a place for the importance of just living in the present without thought. Just allowing everything to be as it is. After some practice I’ve learned how to instantly shift my focus to the present any time I desire to. Of course, there is the balance. You can’t just live in the present forever, you have to use your thought and action to accomplish anything physical.

What’s wrong with filling your void with something that isn’t true? Well, it depends on who you ask, but I find it to be sad if it leads you to also reject anything that is true, or accept anything that is not true. But that’s just my perspective, there’s nothing wrong with believing something that isn’t true. But false information can lead you to make incorrect assessments which can lead you to bad judgements and missing opportunities. Obviously incorrect assessments for most humans do not compare to a zebra incorrectly assessing a lion as a buddy, but it’s a path of falsehood. Like I said earlier, if you treat life like the previews rather than the feature presentation, you’re going to miss out on so much. If this is the only life you have and you’re wrong about your belief, that is irreversible. Being wrong isn’t the issue, it’s choosing to live your life based on this falsehood that is saddening.

If you’re part of any particular religion and you’re happy, that is great. I don’t want to take away anyone’s happiness. Happiness is different for everyone. Your religion may give your life meaning and I’m glad you found it. However, I just want it to be known that you can find meaning without knowing and you can find meaning without religion. I find it important to constantly reassess my beliefs to make sure they still align with what is true. I can find what is true due to experience and collective knowledge. I suggest trying this, it can be a life changing experience.

Essentially, I’m accepting my void. I don’t like the idea of filling my void without good reason. I’m perfectly happy having the void. I’m not ignoring it, I’m embracing it. I’m constantly on a search for knowledge, even with the big questions such as, What is this I’m experiencing? or What is Death? Have you attempted to accept your void rather than filling it?

Podcast #006 – Get To vs Have To

Listen on iTunes
Subscribe on iTunes

Full Transcript

When was the last time you said “I get to”? What about the last time you said “I have to”? Do you have to do more things than you get to do?

If you’re going to a job you hate, it makes sense to at least say to yourself you get to rather than you have to. Because what it all comes down to is you’re choosing to continue to go to work. No one is forcing you.

You don’t really have to do anything. You don’t even have to eat. Sure you will die, but you still don’t have to. But there are things we choose to do because it’s worth it. Is what you do with most of your time worth it? Eating takes time, but I think it’s worth it. It keeps me alive and I enjoy it.

Can you seriously think of anything that you’re required to do? You may say you have to go to work, but do you? If you don’t go to work, the cashflow will be cut off and then problems may be created, but you still don’t have to. Quitting your job may be an opportunity cost, but you can still choose that option.

It still may be hard to hear that, because quitting your job may mean a mad spouse, seem irresponsible if you have children, create an enormous financial burden, etc., but you are the only one who decides to get up in the morning. You may have been running on auto pilot for so long that you don’t believe it, but you lift both of your legs out of bed in the morning. What you do with the day is up to you.

So if you hate your job, or any activity that you frequent in your life, at least take a moment to understand this responsibility. It’s your choice. You might as well celebrate the fact that you get to do it. Because after all, you don’t have to, you get to.

Of course, if you’re like me, there are many things you do that you don’t necessarily enjoy. That could be an understatement of course, you could absolutely hate them. You’re not insane or unintelligent, you obviously don’t continue to do what you dislike for no reason. Perhaps it’s financially (which it probably is for most people) or there is something else keeping you doing this activity. You probably don’t get joy out of your misery.

But is it worth it? If you find yourself drained, and generally unhappy, something is probably not aligned. Aligned with what? With how you want to be spending your time. We all have the same chunk, each day, and we all choose to spend it differently. Do you want to readjust your chunks, but feel like you can’t?

Out of 168 hours (in one week) if your job is a 45 hour chunk (say 40 hours of work and 5 hours commuting/getting ready if you’re lucky), that’s 26.76% already gone. Then add 6 hours of sleep per night, which is another 25%. Your job and rest are already over half of your time rations, 51.76%. So what now with the other 48.24%?

Well you might set aside 14 for stressing and worrying about how one fourth of your time is alloted to something you don’t enjoy. Another 8.33% gone. Maybe about 10.5 hours eating? Another 7.84% gone. So now you’re at 81.93%, which is just 4.34 hours per day left. What do you do with these 4 hours? Surf the internet? Watch porn? Get drunk? Exercise? Read books? Play with your kids? Regardless, it isn’t much.

Sure, I kind of made up the 14 hours per week stat for stress, but on just a hunch, I feel it isn’t too far of a stretch. If you strongly dislike something you’re naturally going to put more emphasis on that and let if effect you even when you’re not partaking in the activity. Of course this would depend on the severity and frequency, so maybe more or less.

The point of this long rant and probably unnecessary statistics is that you don’t have much time. And you even waste some of the time you do have worrying that you don’t have enough time. What would you do if you did have more time? Just allot more of it to worry about it?

It is an interesting experiment to try and pretend that you get to do something you don’t like. Of course you will be putting on a false front, but it’s almost like your ego or mind or whatever gets kind of freaked out because you’re trying to change the state associated with it. The normal reaction according to history is to hate a certain activity, so when you show up with the thought that you get to do it, as in you’re choosing to do it over anything else, is absurdity.

If you try to think like that, it might work for a while, but then you just fall back into the “this is bullshit” mode. You can pretend, or pump yourself up all you want, but if you really don’t like something in your life, it will eventually find a way to show it to you.

But maybe you’re depressed or unhappy and don’t know why. I talk a lot about jobs in this post because it’s no secret that many people don’t like their careers. It’s an easy target to pick on because it takes up so much time, and so many people find their job so unfulfilling. But what if you aren’t sure how to re-arrange your time rations so you feel more aligned and happy?

Well, one thing I like to do is eliminate something for one week. Even if you say you’re completely clueless, you should probably have some idea of your daily habits that you don’t enjoy. Maybe it isn’t even enjoyment, but when reasoned, you conclude they are a waste of time. Do you turn on your television every day when you get home from work and watch it for hours? What if instead you read books, or painted, or wrote, or exercised, or socialized, etc.

I don’t want to go too much into television because it’s definitely something that could be discussed on its own but pretty much everyone knows that on average, Americans watch a sick lot of tv. I think last I heard it was around 5 hours per day. That’s almost a second full time job. I’m one of the weird ones for not having cable or watching tv, but that is completely fine for me. I still have a lot of organizing to do with my time, but I will never let television’s stock grow.

But back on track, try doing one test per week. By the end of one year, you would have made 52 tests if you’re dedicated. Realistically, maybe 20 or so tests that you learned something from. Try it with random things. Don’t drink pop for one week. Don’t watch tv. Don’t sleep in. Don’t drink. Don’t smoke cigarettes. Don’t use your laptop. Don’t raise your voice. Don’t go to work. Don’t drive your car. Don’t eat chocolate. Don’t take a shower.

If it’s hard for you to think of something to not do, go back a step and make a complete time chart of your average day. Write down everything that you do. This can help, but if you still don’t know what to choose, have someone do it for you or choose something at random. Any action is usually better than inaction.

Once you start adding more “don’ts”, start thinking of other “dos” to fill their place. I don’t want to sput off another list of do’s to go with the don’ts because I feel it would be very hard to keep a bias off of it. It will show what I think are good things to do and what are bad. Use your head, or just Google something random. Search for “wake boarding” or the first thing that comes to your mind, and do something related to it. Then fill your don’t with this do. Hopefully over time you can become more intelligent with your dos.

Sure, maybe after one week you revert to the don’t and nothing really changes, but eventually, you will find (and replace) a misalignment. Back when I worked at a fast food restaurant, my day consisted of – wake up at 3pm, work at 4pm, work until 10pm, come home turn on my television and play Word of Warcraft until 8am, repeat.

I went through a period where I realized that I was wasting way too much time playing WoW and flipping burgers. I didn’t have another job lined up really, but I just quit because it was pointless. From my current perspective it seems incredibly trivial to quit a job making $5.25 per hour with $.15 raises every 6 months. But at the time, I was scared and it was a big decision. My parents and others thought I was making a bad choice. It may have looked that way but it made me feel much better.

Quitting your job really is one of the big decisions you shouldn’t just randomly decide to do. It’s not good advice to give to anyone. But don’t let that stop you from taking a week vacation, and instead of going anywhere, just staying home and do what you would do if you were job free. Or maybe allot more time to searching for things you might enjoy more. Maybe a different job, business idea, or another way to make an income. There are other ways available, and there are people who have done it.

I still do have a job right now, but also have other sources of income that I do actively enjoy, such as poker. I’m also in the process of having an iPhone app created and sold. The point is, just straight up quitting would probably be unintelligent. It might work, and it could turn out, but it might be a better idea to slowly redistribute 3, 5, or 10 hours in your week rather than cutting out 45.

It took longer for me to quit WoW because I enjoyed it more, but I eventually stopped playing all together. My time division still isn’t perfect but I can say that it is better now than it was 5 years ago because of actively searching for misalignments. Not so much trying new things (action is one of my current weak points) but finding problem areas and trying to stop them.

Easier said than done, maybe, but I guess that depends on the degree of the importance. One week is long enough to see what else you could be spending your time with and short enough to not seem like an impossible commitment. This is good if it’s something you feel really attached to, but think you could fill its slice with something better. It’s just one week, and you can learn from it.

We all have 24 hours each day. No one is granted more time. Some people are just better at dividing their time up and have larger “get to” chunks. The others that aren’t so sure, probably have bigger “have to” chunks. Now go do what you have to do instead of what you want to do in the time you don’t have to spend on what you want to do. Then try replacing your have’s with get’s. Maybe you’ll start getting to do more things rather than having to do them.