“Folding Time” by: rob kistner
P lease permit me to present two concepts for your consideration. One is time, the other is keeping in the present moment — a place in which we seem relentlessly encouraged, cajoled, even badgered to remain. First of all, time is relative, a fleeting thing, constantly evolving. It is transitory and non-substantive.
So how does one keep in the present moment? As a general definition, “keep” means to hold, or maintain something in your possession or control. A moment is an ever-changing, elusive, arbitrary piece of this relative thing called time. So it would appear, given the ethereal, amorphous nature of time, that one cannot “keep” any aspect of time — one of which being a moment.
Therefore, with time being the core component of a moment, and time unable to be, by definition, “kept”, the logical deduction is that a moment, present or not, is therefore unable to be ‘kept’. Moments are a flow continuum, so ride it mindfully and alert. Besides, in the pursuit of things relative, fleeting, ethereal, and uncertain — love is a far more glorious pursuit than a “present moment”.
a mystery of the heart
a folly divine
rob kistner © 2021
Poetry at: dVerse
Ah, but the moment is not to be kept but savored, lest it pass by unnoticed. Well, at least that’s what “they” say!
Great historic concept Bev, one I aspire to. But for discussion sake, I think the same issue(s) remain. To savor a moment you must be able to grasp snd hold it, like a glass of fine wine, or a cut of fine meat. But speaking moments, as soon as it’s here, it’s gone — so how can one savor it. It’s all so theoretical and metaphysical.
Very meta, Rob. I enjoyed reading your contemplations 🙂
<3
David
My mind likes to wander into such wonder David — it’s in my DNA… can’t help it.
A moment is an infinite number of targets that will never be hit. I’m with you on that. By the time I snapped the photo for mine, the squirrel and the cardinal were gone. It’s still fun to try to capture just one moment in words though even though it’s long gone by the time you share it.
In that way Lisa, a photo. Like nothing else, can reflect the visual whole of a moment — in that way they are unique, and wonderful. Words can interpret our reactions to our feeling of a moment. In that way they are less than, and more than a photo — and wonderful unto themself.
Loved the clever diatribe, brother. If time is the measurement of movement, you are bang on with your analysis. I hope time does not stop even at death. Metaphysics tell us that time does not exist on the other side of the veil; add to that overlapping dimensions, and a billion billion universes, moments are motion.
It was more of a structured conclusion than a diatribe. And yes Glenn, moments are motion, motion of the all — one cannot hold nor keep motion, only be at the affect or effect of motion in a finite way. Time does not stop at death, but our energy evolves at that moment, so our awareness likely morphs — but it’s of no matter… we will never have a “like” personal comprehension of it, because our perspective will be different, and the current personal matters and memories of our “meat-suit” reality will be of no concern nor consequence to that energy form to come. The form of awareness we have now — this is our only chance to make it meaningful, and only in this current sequence of moments — so be here in the now continuum, mindfully. We need to live our heaven here, and make of it what we will. Nothing else makes sense, nor can it be verified — so it’s of no use. We live our own heaven, hell, or purgatory right here, right now aboard spaceship earth. It doesn’t happen later. It’s this “living for the later” shit that gives rise to all the asshat attitude of meaninglessness in this world we live in — and the blatant disregard for this ship called earth, that we’re all aboard. That is why it’s getting so fucked up. Now, there’s your diatribe my brother. 😉
The river of time does, indeed, flow by us. But if you wade in far enough & float downstream with the current, it feels far less transitory. Me, I’m a floater.
By my calculation, I haven’t even reached my adolescence yet. I plan to live forever. (I’m not sure I’m looking forward to it, but…. at least I still have plenty of time to write (if / when anything inspirational comes my way).
You got me thinkin, Mr K; Thanks!
Float on Ron, float on — love that perspective! I think I have spent half my life wading upstream… 🙂 …this last part if my life I think I adopted the float thing — trying to be mindful as I bob.
I love your philosophical haibun, Rob. If I heard you right we can not keep time or the present moment. I guess that is why we are never quite satisfied and always looking for just a little bit more….
We can’t take hold and stop or control time, we can only go with the flow — and try to be mindful as we go Dwight.
Interesting thoughts, Rob. I’ve given up trying to grasp at moments. Like you, I let them flow.
It’s the only sane thing to do Kim — but as you flow, stay alert and mindful.
Grasping the moment does feel a bit futile like swatting at a fly knowing your chances of hitting it are slim to none. Still, when I am able to sit in the bathtub of the present, I feel a sense of content and sometimes, that’s all I need. Great way to open this prompt up into to a discussion, Rob.
K, I analyze everything, and constantly seek ways to embrace the metaphysical. I have discussed philosophy and metaphysics since I was a freshman (1961) in high school. Most all of my friends since age 16 forward were musicians who loved philosophy. My son and dughter and the best friend who has stayed part of my life since 1960 — we are all philo-freaks!
I concur, often thinking that grabbing the future is easier than any one moment. Perhaps I can possess a minute, but not a moment.
Yet it is all those moments Misky, that slip through out finger to build upon themselves, to define who we become in time, and for the many, to then drift into infinite future, leaving nary a ripple in the time space continuum.
May I address you as ‘Professor Rob’ ?? … well done, pertinent and insightful.
Thank you Helen… : just address me as rob kistner, the hopeless dreamer KABA (known at birth as) Lawrence Tieke.
I think the best moments are those outside of time: we get those in love!
Then we agree wholeheartedly Ingrid… 🙂
Brilliant discourse on moment and time. And I believe you are correct, love is the essential matter!!! Love is eternal, outside of moments and time.
Thank you Mary… 🙂 …was jusr feelin’ metaphysical.
You are right… but I think the present means going with the flow instead of looking behind you or trying to anticipate what will happen around the next bend, as if you really had a choice.
Yes Bjorn, continuing mindfully downstream — stopping is no option.
Rob that contrast is so true for me and I do love the haiku, especially that love is mystery.
Glad this resonated for you Paul.