You all want to know that reality or truth which is eternal; you want to experience that state of peace and equilibrium that is your essential nature. And yet the mind and personality prevent you from experiencing that finest level of yourself – the Center of Consciousness within. In the ancient teachings it is said that time, space, and causation are the three primary conditionings or filters that affect the mind; however, you can lead your mind beyond these conditions. Time is the most powerful of all the “filters” that condition the mind. It is a powerful filter of reality. For example, perhaps you are very sad today, but even then, a time comes during the day when you laugh. Or perhaps today you have been laughing and feeling good; still a time will come when you will feel sad. Thus, time affects your mind. Every state of mind is transitory and limited by time.

It is important to understand and recognize how time affects the mind. You can better understand the effect of time by considering the nature of space. If you can fully understand how space is created, then time will no longer deter you; you will go beyond both time and space. For example, if I draw two lines, then there is a space between the first line and another. If there is no space, there is only One; then where is time? Time and space exist only when there is division, when you are divided within yourself. When you are One with yourself, the Self of all, then time, space, and causation – the three conditions and limitations of the mind – are left behind and you go forward to a higher experience.

Editor’s Note

This is an excerpt from The Art of Joyful Living by Swami Rama. Chapter “Knowing Your Own True Self,” Pages 1 – 2 in the 1989 edition.

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