History Quote by Huston Smith
““Our life in historical or chronological time, measuring and minding, cautious and comparing, forms the horizontal arm of the cross. Our experience of the unqualified, of inner, immeasurable time (or timelessness), is the cross’s vertical pole. We live in two kinds of time or perspective simultaneously. The horizontal and the vertical are at once quite distinct and entirely overlapping, and to experience their incongruity and confluence is what it means to be human.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World's Religions, 1991
Human experience includes measured chronological time and immeasurable inner time, both distinct yet overlapping.
In simple terms: We live with external clocks and internal timelessness together.
Key Takeaway
Balance external duties with inner awareness.
Themes
time
perspective
humanity
spirituality
duality
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- daily planning
- meditation
- creative work
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
religion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you honor both time dimensions?
- What practices integrate inner and outer time?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on one dimension can cause imbalance.
