A Contemplation
In the early morning light, as the soft hues of dawn break, the world seems to pause momentarily, reminding me of the silent dance of time. Today, I find myself at the threshold of another decade, a milestone that arrives both as a whisper and a bellowing declaration.
In these quiet hours, I reflect on the swift passage of time, its dream-like quality, and the enigmatic spiral it sketches in my life.
In my youth, time appeared as an expansive field, stretching endlessly towards the horizon. Days were long; summer seemed eternal. As I reflect back, those same days have contracted, each year folding swiftly into the next. I find this acceleration astonishing and amusing—a cosmic joke played on us all.
This elusive nature of time reminds me of the ancient Zen teachings about the dream-like quality of our existence. Just as in dreams, where scenes shift without logic and emotions swirl with intensity, our lives too flutter by, with the present moment always slipping out of grasp.
The realization that I am now nearing what many may consider 'old age' feels surreal. It is as if the young man is still here, merely a shadow step behind.
Zen teaches us to observe these phenomena without attachment, to witness the fleeting nature of life without trying to grasp it with desperate hands. In meditation, we sit with the impermanence of each breath, acknowledging that just as a breath arises and falls, so too do the moments of our lives.
My practice deepens my understanding of the transitory nature of everything around and within me.
Interestingly, time can also be perceived not just as a linear progression but as a spiral, ever-returning, ever-renewing. In the spirals of time, events, emotions, and experiences circle back, clothed in new forms yet echoing old patterns. The lilac flowers I admired in my youth still bloom in May, their beauty undiminished by the years that have also touched my hair with gray.
The lessons I learned through my life —of humility, patience, and acceptance—are the lessons I live today.
Approaching this milestone is not just about looking back or gazing forward—it is about recognizing the continuous flow of now, where all time merges. Each moment is all moments. In the Zen garden, each step taken is both a leaving and an arrival, each breath a continuation of countless breaths before, each thought a ripple in the vast, unfathomable expanse of existence.
As I consider my time on this earth, I remember to cherish the impermanent, incomplete, and imperfect. These are not merely traits of human life but are the very essence of beauty and truth. So, my intention is to approach each day with the gentle acceptance of its fleeting nature, finding beauty in its imperfections and wisdom in its passing.
Time is both my canvas and my companion in the artful contemplation of life.
- Sokei
