Later tonight we’ll officially ring in the new year, but each day is really new and each minute for that matter no one has ever experienced before because the future and the past are just illusions. The only time is now and it is the only time that ever matters. What I’m doing this minute writing my thoughts are a reflection of my experience and my hope for the future which is a breath from now. New Years is then just an illusion, an artifice by which we demarcate time. Earlier this week I came upon a quote attributed to the Buddha.
In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.–Buddha
We create such distinction in time too. The only time that matters is now. A friend of mine once asked me if I could talk to the higher power what time would it be. I thought and thought and finally my friend said, “he’d say it was now.” The wisdom of that thinking makes more sense now. It is always now. It is never not now. I have fond memories of past events but I can’t go back to them nor can I go forward to the future until it happens. My thoughts shape the present and the future. I’ve thought about this a great deal lately. I don’t pay much attention to the news as their thoughts are always anxious. Removing their input has removed a great deal of anxiety from my life. I don’t listen to the weather forecast as that is really only an educated guess of the future. I look outside to see what I should wear and consult the thermometer to see how many layers of clothing I need. I live more or less contemplatively. Happy new day to you and may all of your new days be happy and filled with growth and abundance. Peace be with you and all you love.
Hi Don, good thoughts. the Chickadees are really blessing us with many good words from many people. God bless you and hope to see you tonight to celebrate illusion and the ;present moment.
Peace,Br. Joe
I love illusion, the Mountain and all you Friars. I’m looking forward to bringing in the new year with old friends. I thought today of the spirit of the Lords Prayer in light of my remarks. “give us this day our daily bread.” That prayer keeps us focused in today and this moment. 🙂 Peace.