When Time Meets Space

When Times Meets Space

I really appreciate the concept of space, be it outer, inner, the distance between us, or how we feel when something that was full goes empty. What’s left is space. In Zen they see things with this idea in mind. For example, if we had a room with no furniture or anything in it, we’d call it an empty room. From a Zen perspective it’s really a room full of space. Which translates into having gained versus having lost. And so, what do we do with a room full of space? We fill it with whatever we want. What if we had a room full of time?

I think of time and space as siblings with time being the favorite and getting most of the attention. We never seem to have enough time and unlike space, which we can create and hold onto, time can’t be held, and we can’t create it either. It’s either used, or it’s gone. And it never stops moving until it does or at least slow a bunch. To observe this requires a different perspective and formula. Space-time is a mathematical model that joins space and time into a single idea called a continuum. This four-dimensional continuum is known as Minkowski space where mathematician Hermann Minkowski facilitated a geometric interpretation of Einstein’s theory of relativity.

I’m bringing this up because I have lately been running out of time to get things done, and in the process have not been able to create any space for a respite – Like a quiet contemplative spot where meditation comes easy and time slows down. We all need to have some quiet time in a quiet space. So to create a meditative space, not only the physical, but the spiritual as well, we have to ask ourselves whether any of the stuff in our life that currently takes up space in our minds and our day and in our garages is really needed. Will all of the boxes of stuff we’ve saved be wanted by anybody when we’re gone? Will any of the space in our hearts or minds that’s been squandered on things that don’t really matter be worth noting in our obituary?  No, it won’t matter when we’re gone and probably doesn’t matter now.

Not to be morbid, but rather to be thankful that we actually do have ways to control the space where we exist; we can spend the time that’s left as we choose. We can reach that elusive dream. There is still time; the space we need to traverse is not always the great chasm, but only a thought away, an instant. And once we think it and believe it, we merge time and space into our very own continuum where Minkowski has been waiting, and the party is about to begin.

Final thought: When we merge our space with our time, when where we are is in sync with who we are, we create magic. So, wherever you are take the time to enjoy.