5. There is no yesterday nor any tomorrow, but only Now.

Friday, October 5, 2018
9:10 AM

“The now wherein God made the world is as near this time as the now I am speaking in this moment, and the last day is as near this now as was yesterday.” ~ Meister Eckhart

“There exists only the present instant… a Now which always and without end is itself new. There is no yesterday nor any tomorrow, but only Now, as it was a thousand years ago and as it will be a thousand years hence.” ~ Meister Eckhart

Now that I am 5 days into this project, it strikes me that Eckhart's observations, made over 800 years ago, are so relevant now and how commonly we encounter his teachings. This statement is particularly pertinent because I get easily caught up in what happened yesterday or worry about what might happen tomorrow. Both the past and the future are beyond the scope of my being. They only exist for God because God is not limited by our concept of time.

As a historian by training, intellect and preference, the past is critically important. Understanding the past gives us tools to understand the present so we might adapt and maximize the effectiveness of our course of action but tools are just tools. They, the tools, lack the cognitive power needed to make the moment count. The future is also important because failure to anticipate consequences of actions taken now can adversely impact the future. We ignore either or both at our peril.

What is important, however is to truly understand there is only the present instant. In this instant I can take the time to reflect on where I am, who I am with, how I am spending the moment. In this very instant I can contemplate, meditate, watch the cat play with a toy, speak to my wife or simply look at the window into the little piece of the world I inhabit. Today, gentle rain is falling in a spattering drizzle, the leaves of the trees have erupted in shimmering explosion of gold and yellow that gray skies cannot not diminish. It is a good moment to pause and appreciate creation and give thanks to the creator.

Now is when I can chose to the best right action. I can give praise and celebrate the blessings and mercy of God or I can turn away and dwell on the pain I am experiencing. I can ask for forgiveness for where I have fallen short and then breathe out the prayer of gratitude for the gift of God's mercy and tenderness.

Carpe Diem is a great platitude but to seize the moment, not the day, is what Eckhart teaches. The lesson is important, it is what I have searching for so far. It lines up with spirituality of the Benedict - give this moment its due with moderation and in praise.

Back to view out the window. God is awesome for giving us a beautiful world and the ability to appreciate the beauty.