Discovering Nonduality

Have you ever considered that a centimeter doesn’t actually exist? It’s not something you can hold, point to, or observe independently. A centimeter is a concept, a unit of measurement we use to describe the distance between two points, like the marks on a ruler or the length of a pencil. Without these reference points, the idea of a centimeter would have no context and no tangible meaning. In essence, it exists only in the conceptual realm. It’s a tool based in thought, invented to help us navigate the physical world. This realization opens the door to a much deeper understanding of how we perceive reality, particularly when it comes to the nature of time.

Time, like a centimeter, is not a tangible thing. It too, is a measurement. A measurement of change, a way to quantify change to the present moment. The ticking of a clock, the movement of celestial bodies, or the aging of our own bodies all serve as reference points for this measurement, much like the lines on a ruler. But time itself—separate from these markers—has no physical form. It’s a mental construct we’ve created to organize our experiences, plan for meetings and lunch dates, and make sense of the constant changes occurring around us. Strip away the measurements and the markers, and all you’re left with is Now.

The present moment is the only reality we truly experience, ever. Everything else exists in the abstract. The past is a collection of memories experienced now, mental constructs we revisit through thought, while the future is a projection of what might come to pass, but envisioned now. Both are tethered to the Now—the ever-changing point of reference where we imagine time passing. In this sense, time is more like a mathematical formula we use to understand the shifting dynamics of the present rather than an independent force that governs our lives.

This perspective can be both liberating and profound. If we understand time as a conceptual tool rather than an actual thing, we can begin to question how much of our stress, anxiety, and regret stem from treating it as something more real than it is. We often find ourselves chasing deadlines, lamenting lost time, or fearing an unknown future, all while the richness of the present moment slips through our fingers. By shifting our focus to the Now, we can reframe our relationship with time and live more fully in the present.

In the end, time, like a centimeter, is a way of measuring, categorizing, and understanding change in the world around us. It’s a practical and necessary tool, but it doesn’t exist independently of our thoughts about it. The true essence of reality is change, unfolding endlessly in the present. When we embrace this understanding, we can step out of the illusion of time and into the vibrant immediacy of Now, where life is always, and can only, occur.