Theosophical Independence Vol. 6 -10  December 2007

                                                                    “NOWLESSNESS”


     The illusionary nature of time is a common human experience: some hours and weeks seem longer than others, the year seems to pass quicker as we grow older, a lifetime seems to be lived in a dream that lasts a few minutes. The notion of past, present and future often makes humans think they are creatures existing in time. We regret or long for the past, anticipate the future with anxiety or excitement, and feel rushed in the present, believing there isn’t enough time. Beyond the apparent reality of past, present and future, there is the awareness of “now.”

     Nowlessness is the term coined to express the experience of “now” by self-conscious thinkers.  That awareness of “now” is a series of “nows” strung together in our consciousness to create an impression of continuity. As soon as we become aware of “now,” the moment has become part of the past. It is replaced by another present “now” in our awareness. What seems “now” to the lower mind influenced by memory and notions of past, present and future, is not the eternal now. It is the mayavic reflection of absolute endless duration. Hence it is nowlessness.

     THE PRESENT IS THE CHILD OF THE PAST; THE FUTURE, THE BEGOTTEN OF THE PRESENT. AND YET, O PRESENT MOMENT! KNOWEST THOU NOT THAT THOU HAST NO PARENT, NOR CANST THOU HAVE A CHILD; THAT THOU ART EVER BEGETTING BUT THYSELF? BEFORE THOU HAST EVEN BEGUN TO SAY ‘I AM THE PROGENY OF THE DEPARTED MOMENT, THE CHILD OF THE PAST,’ THOU HAST BECOME THAT PAST ITSELF.  BEFORE THOU UTTEREST THE LAST SYLLABLE, BEHOLD!  THOU ART NO MORE THE PRESENT BUT VERILY THAT FUTURE.  THUS, ARE THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE, THE EVER-LIVING TRINITY IN ONE – THE MAHAMAYA OF THE ABSOLUTE IS.
(The Secret Doctrine vol. 2, page 446)

     That which is changeless and eternal can perceive change - the perceiver is changeless and eternal in its spiritual essence. When the higher mind has become consciously united with its spiritual essence, it dwells in the eternal now – the absolute reality. Until that point is reached, the lower mind can dwell in its awareness of nowlessness. It is in the momentary “nows,” that make up our nowlessness, that we can quicken the seeds of thought, feeling, and imagination. It is taught that, at the time of the winter solstice, the seeds within the cold, dark earth receive an impulse that will bring forth blossoms and fruit in the year to come. Working with an understanding of this cycle of nature, we can give special attention now to inspire within ourselves the  right seeds of aspiration that will become our future harvest.

                                                                                            QUOTES

   The human soul measures time by the succession of moments and events that follow one another as effects follow causes. But were not the past contained in the present, it would have no existence for anyone. If there is any vividness in the past, it comes from thinking of it at the present vital moment. The reality of the past is in the present. The possibilities of the future are in the present, according as the present moment is used for good or otherwise. Past, present and future are therefore but concepts of time in an eternal now. Behind or beyond the Soul’s memory and imagination may be sensed the reality of eternal duration. (Theosophy Magazine vol. 2, p.215)

   Time is only an illusion produced by the succession of our states of consciousness as we travel through eternal duration, and it does not exist where no consciousness exists in which the illusion can be produced, but “lies asleep.” The present is only a mathematical line which divides that part of eternal duration which we call the future, from that part which we call the past. Nothing on earth has real duration, for nothing remains without change – or the same – for the billionth part of a second; and the sensation we have of the actuality of the duration of “time” known as the present, comes from the blurring of that momentary glimpse, or succession on glimpses, of things that our senses give us, as those things pass from the region of ideals which we call the future, to the region of memories that we name the past…(The Secret Doctrine vol. 1, p. 37)

It's but little good you'll do a-watering the last year's crops.  George Eliot

 
One problem with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us.         Michael Cibenko

There is no distance on this earth as far away as yesterday.     Robert Nathan

Living in the past is a dull and lonely business; looking back strains the neck muscles, causing you to bump into people not going your way. 
    Edna Ferber

Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.  
    Euripides

The past is a guidepost, not a hitching post.        L. Thomas Holdcroft

With the past, I have nothing to do,  nor with the future.  I  live now. 
    Ralph Waldo Emerson

Forever is composed of nows.   
    Emily Dickinson

Finish each day and be done with it.  You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can.  Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.    Ralph Waldo  Emerson


     “Theosophical Independence”  is produced monthly by Associates of The United Lodge of Theosophists in Philadelphia.  Comments, questions and contributions for publication may be sent to The United Lodge of Theosophists, 1917 Walnut Street,  Philadelphia, PA  19103.

       The contents of this newsletter are provided freely and anonymously.  It may be reproduced without permission.