--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Time isn’t precious at all, because it is…" description: "\"Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/773/eckhart-tolle-81_focused_time-isn-t-precious-at-all-because-it-is_1947803.jpg" --- # Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion… ![“Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” quote by Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/773/eckhart-tolle-81_focused_time-isn-t-precious-at-all-because-it-is_1947803.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/773/eckhart-tolle-81_focused_time-isn-t-precious-at-all-because-it-is_1947803.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/773/eckhart-tolle-81_focused_time-isn-t-precious-at-all-because-it-is_1947803.jpg) > “Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that time is a mental construct; true value lies in fully experiencing the present moment, the Now. **In simple terms:** Time is an illusion; the present is what truly matters. Key Takeaway Focus on the present. Themes mindfulness presence philosophy Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - meditation - daily work - stressful events - decision making Key Concepts temporal illusion consciousness Questions to Reflect On - How often do you notice the present? - What habits pull you away from the Now? A Different Perspective The present can be hard to sustain amid distractions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Isn Precious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/isn-precious-3142906/) [Missing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missing/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive/) [Perceive Precious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive-precious-3142907/) [Precious things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-things/) [Precious time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-isn/) [Time Precious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-precious/) ## Related quotes > [Time isn't precious at all, because it is an illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/time-isn-t-precious-at-all-because-it-is-an-illusion/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“If it isn't something precious, it doesn't serve as a price!" "But if it means I'm throwing away the most precious thing I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clamp/if-it-isn-t-something-precious-it-doesn-t-serve-as-a-price-but-if-it/) [CLAMP](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clamp/) > [I don't get a lot of time with my children. My time is precious, and time with my two kids is like gold dust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-howard/i-don-t-get-a-lot-of-time-with-my-children-my-time-is-precious-and/) [Tim Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-howard/) > [Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/time-is-precious-but-truth-is-more-precious-than-time/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [“Free time was the most precious time, when you should be doing what you loved, or at least slowing down enough to remember what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/free-time-was-the-most-precious-time-when-you-should-be-doing-what/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [Time is the most precious element of human existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/time-is-the-most-precious-element-of-human-existence/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Time is precious, Time is precise, Time is powerful, Time can make us, Time can break us, Time never stops, Time never wait, Time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/time-is-precious-time-is-precise-time-is-powerful-time-can-make-us/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [My time is precious. Be on time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omarion/my-time-is-precious-be-on-time/) [Omarion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omarion/) > [Time is a precious thing. Never waste it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wilder/time-is-a-precious-thing-never-waste-it/) [Gene Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wilder/) > [If you like me just tell me I don't need any flowers or precious gifts cause I'm already impressed with your simplicity so don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhar/if-you-like-me-just-tell-me-i-don-t-need-any-flowers-or-precious/) [Bhar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhar/) > [The more you are focused on time-past and future-the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-more-you-are-focused-on-time-past-and-future-the-more-you-miss/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“For the longest time I ignored or dismissed the adage that time flies as we get older because I didn't feel old enough for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-burdick/for-the-longest-time-i-ignored-or-dismissed-the-adage-that-time-flies/) [Alan Burdick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-burdick/) > [“Fucking two things up at the same time isn't multitasking”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-masterson/fucking-two-things-up-at-the-same-time-isn-t-multitasking/) [Dick Masterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-masterson/) > [Time isn't what makes a friendship last...It's love and devotion that keeps the tie between souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-isn-t-what-makes-a-friendship-last-it-s-love-and-devotion-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing is and isn’t; nothing is and isn’t—nothing itself is, and at the same time, nothing isn’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-itself-is-and-at/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## More by Eckhart Tolle > [“The voice in the head that never stops speaking becomes a civilization that is obsessed with form and therefore knows nothing of the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-voice-in-the-head-that-never-stops-speaking-becomes-a/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Thinking, or more precisely identification with thinking, gives rise to and maintains the ego, which, in our Western society in particular, is out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/thinking-or-more-precisely-identification-with-thinking-gives-rise-to/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“A powerful spiritual practice is consciously to allow the diminishment of ego when it happens without attempting to restore it. I recommend that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/a-powerful-spiritual-practice-is-consciously-to-allow-the/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [To become aware of the subtlety of nature you need to be alert. The moment you become alert you become still... thinking subsides. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/to-become-aware-of-the-subtlety-of-nature-you-need-to-be-alert-the/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [When you are not honoring the present moment by allowing it to be, you are creating drama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/when-you-are-not-honoring-the-present-moment-by-allowing-it-to-be-you/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [On a deeper level you are already complete. When you realize that, there is a joyous energy behind what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/on-a-deeper-level-you-are-already-complete-when-you-realize-that/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/life-will-give-you-whatever-experience-is-most-helpful-for-the/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [You may not yet be able to bring your unconscious mind activity into awareness as thoughts, but it will always be reflected in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/you-may-not-yet-be-able-to-bring-your-unconscious-mind-activity-into/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“War is a mind-set, and all action that comes out of such a mind-set will either strengthen the enemy, the perceived evil, or, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/war-is-a-mind-set-and-all-action-that-comes-out-of-such-a-mind-set/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Whenever you step out of the noise of thinking, that is meditation, and a different state of consciousness arises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/whenever-you-step-out-of-the-noise-of-thinking-that-is-meditation-and/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Get the inside right, and the outside will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/get-the-inside-right-and-the-outside-will-take-care-of-itself/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [It is very hard to tell when I started to be a spiritual teacher. There was a time when occasionally somebody would come and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/it-is-very-hard-to-tell-when-i-started-to-be-a-spiritual-teacher/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Most people spend their entire life imprisoned within the confines of their own thoughts. They never go beyond a narrow, mind-made, personalized sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/most-people-spend-their-entire-life-imprisoned-within-the-confines-of/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Let the end of the world be inside you, then you don't need to fear the end of the world out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/let-the-end-of-the-world-be-inside-you-then-you-don-t-need-to-fear/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“Jeste li zabrinuti? Razmišljate li često: »Što bi bilo da sam...?« To znači da ste se poistovjetili s umom, koji se projicira u neku…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/jeste-li-zabrinuti-razmi-ljate-li-esto-to-bi-bilo-da-sam-to-zna-i-da/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) [Explore all 1,493 Eckhart Tolle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) ## More Focused quotes > [They are focused on whether they can do something. They never think whether they should do something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/they-are-focused-on-whether-they-can-do-something-they-never-think/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [“If you're focused, you can't get bored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/if-you-re-focused-you-can-t-get-bored/) [Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/) > [All I'm focused on is playing my game. Everything else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/all-i-m-focused-on-is-playing-my-game-everything-else-will-take-care/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [I get pretty focused when I start working on something. And I drink a lot of water, way more than most people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-woodman/i-get-pretty-focused-when-i-start-working-on-something-and-i-drink-a/) [Nick Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-woodman/) > [Angela Merkel has been focused on the right things. She has focused on the interests of her citizens - and not just in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/angela-merkel-has-been-focused-on-the-right-things-she-has-focused-on/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [It is ironic since whenever I have met with our elected officials they are invariably thoughtful, well-meaning people. And yet collectively 90% of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergey-brin/it-is-ironic-since-whenever-i-have-met-with-our-elected-officials/) [Sergey Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergey-brin/) > [We're focused on providing innovations in software, driving the continuous improvement for a much better experience, and there's a lot going on here that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-re-focused-on-providing-innovations-in-software-driving-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I'm focused on the music. I think, as long as I keep making music just because I like to make it, people are gonna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bishop-nehru/i-m-focused-on-the-music-i-think-as-long-as-i-keep-making-music-just/) [Bishop Nehru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bishop-nehru/) > [I was focused on The Hunger Games movie with my director, with the studio, and with the cast and crew. We all just focused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-jacobson/i-was-focused-on-the-hunger-games-movie-with-my-director-with-the/) [Nina Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-jacobson/) > [Our thoughts are either focused on what's eternal, life-changing, and true, or lost in the details of our temporary, selfish, false beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/our-thoughts-are-either-focused-on-what-s-eternal-life-changing-and/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [I'm staying focused and clear about what I want in life, and I'm going to get it, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-brown/i-m-staying-focused-and-clear-about-what-i-want-in-life-and-i-m-going/) [Bobby Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-brown/) > [God puts you where God needs you. You are where you are supposed to be. 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O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) [Browse all 2,614 Focused quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. 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