--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In India there was a sense of time that…" description: "\"In India there was a sense of time that does not tick with modern clocks, just as there is a knowledge that is not gained through science and empirical..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f37/huston-smith-2415_clock_in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that_2002315.jpg" --- # In India there was a sense of time that does not tick with… ![“In India there was a sense of time that does not tick with modern clocks, just as there is a knowledge that is not gained through science and empirical experiments. In the modern West knowledge is of objective, finite particulars in historical time. India recognizes that kind of useful…” quote by Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f37/huston-smith-2415_clock_in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that_2002315.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f37/huston-smith-2415_clock_in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that_2002315.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f37/huston-smith-2415_clock_in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that_2002315.jpg) > “In India there was a sense of time that does not tick with modern clocks, just as there is a knowledge that is not gained through science and empirical experiments. In the modern West knowledge is of objective, finite particulars in historical time. India recognizes that kind of useful information: it calls it "lower knowledge." Higher knowledge (paravidya) proceeds differently, or rather it doesn't proceed at all but enters history full-blown on the morning of a new creation.” [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. India distinguishes between practical, observable knowledge and a deeper, timeless wisdom that transcends empirical methods. **In simple terms:** India sees two kinds of knowledge: practical and timeless. Key Takeaway Recognize and value both practical and transcendent insights. Themes culture philosophy knowledge spirituality Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - personal growth - cross‑cultural dialogue - spiritual practice Key Concepts epistemology transcendence tradition Questions to Reflect On - How can we integrate timeless wisdom with modern science? - What practices help access deeper insight? A Different Perspective Such timeless knowledge may be vague and hard to verify. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Experiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experiments/) [Finite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finite/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Higher Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-knowledge-684833/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [India](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/india/) [Information](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/information/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Knowledge Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge-higher-2023736/) [Knowledge Paravidya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge-paravidya-3529846/) [Lower Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lower-knowledge-3529847/) [Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Objectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectives/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Tick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tick/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Useful information](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/useful-information/) [West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/west/) ## Related quotes > [ Acquisition of \[higher\] knowledge is not the end, but the means to the end; the end consists of the attainment, thanks to this knowledge… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-steiner/acquisition-of-higher-knowledge-is-not-the-end-but-the-means-to-the/) [Rudolf Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-steiner/) > [The higher knowledge, the higher responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ahkam-a/the-higher-knowledge-the-higher-responsibility/) [Muhammad Ahkam A](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ahkam-a/) > [There is no higher or lower knowledge, but one only, flowing out of experimentation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/there-is-no-higher-or-lower-knowledge-but-one-only-flowing-out-of/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Use your gifts faithfully, and they shall be enlarged; practice what you know, and you shall attain to higher knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-arnold/use-your-gifts-faithfully-and-they-shall-be-enlarged-practice-what/) [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) > [“But then, we have science, and with its help we shall discover Truth once more; then we shall accept it in full knowledge. Knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/but-then-we-have-science-and-with-its-help-we-shall-discover-truth/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [“How do you tell a young girl in her formative years that the real value, real wealth is only in acquisition of knowledge through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinod-pande/how-do-you-tell-a-young-girl-in-her-formative-years-that-the-real/) [Vinod Pande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinod-pande/) > [If you meditate and continue to have fun with yoga and Buddhism, you will amass knowledge and will move to a higher incarnation. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-meditate-and-continue-to-have-fun-with-yoga-and-buddhism-you/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“A responsible woman guides, controls (albeit subtly), directs with superior knowledge that is higher than that of her contemporaries!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agu-jaachynma-n-e/a-responsible-woman-guides-controls-albeit-subtly-directs-with/) [Agu Jaachynma N.E](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agu-jaachynma-n-e/) > [“My desire for knowledge is intermittent, but my desire to bathe my head in atmospheres unknown to my feet is perennial and constant. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/my-desire-for-knowledge-is-intermittent-but-my-desire-to-bathe-my-2/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What I sell is the higher knowledge of knowing what's next and not following the trend of what's now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/what-i-sell-is-the-higher-knowledge-of-knowing-what-s-next-and-not/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [What I sell is the higher knowledge of knowing whats next and not following the trend of whats now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/what-i-sell-is-the-higher-knowledge-of-knowing-whats-next-and-not/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [Acquisition of knowledge is not the end, but the means to the end; the end consists in the attainment, thanks to this knowledge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-steiner/acquisition-of-knowledge-is-not-the-end-but-the-means-to-the-end-the/) [Rudolf Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-steiner/) > [My desire for knowledge is intermittent; but my desire to bathe my head in atmospheres unknown to my feet is perennial and constant. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/my-desire-for-knowledge-is-intermittent-but-my-desire-to-bathe-my/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [For every one step that you take in the pursuit of higher knowledge, take three steps in the perfection of your own character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-steiner/for-every-one-step-that-you-take-in-the-pursuit-of-higher-knowledge/) [Rudolf Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-steiner/) > [“Our schools will not improve if we continue to focus only on reading and mathematics while ignoring the other studies that are essential elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/our-schools-will-not-improve-if-we-continue-to-focus-only-on-reading/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) ## More by Huston Smith > [“The Transcendent was my morning meal, we had the Eternal at lunch, and I ate a slice of the Infinite at dinner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-transcendent-was-my-morning-meal-we-had-the-eternal-at-lunch-and/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [The first koan do not have rational answers. They are techniques devised over the millennia for triggering an actual experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-first-koan-do-not-have-rational-answers-they-are-techniques/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [We all carry it within us: supreme strength, the fullness of wisdom, unquenchable joy. It is never thwarted, and cannot be destroyed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/we-all-carry-it-within-us-supreme-strength-the-fullness-of-wisdom/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [A nation can assume that the addition of the words "under God" to its pledge of allegiance gives evidence that its citizens actually believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/a-nation-can-assume-that-the-addition-of-the-words-under-god-to-its/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [“Some friends accused me of whoring after the Infinite. Well, what better whoredom is there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/some-friends-accused-me-of-whoring-after-the-infinite-well-what/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [Imagine a man besottedly in love: he won't waste time speculating whether other women equally merit his affection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/imagine-a-man-besottedly-in-love-he-won-t-waste-time-speculating/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [“If my opinion that substance requires a true unity were founded only on a definition I had formulated in opposition to common usage, \*then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/if-my-opinion-that-substance-requires-a-true-unity-were-founded-only/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [The New Age movement looks like a mixed bag. I see much in it that seems good: It's optimistic; it's enthusiastic; it has the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-new-age-movement-looks-like-a-mixed-bag-i-see-much-in-it-that/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [Science can prove nothing about God, because God lies outside its province.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/science-can-prove-nothing-about-god-because-god-lies-outside-its/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [I had assumed that Bush's seemingly inflexible policy to support Sharon was for political reasons of his getting elected. But as to whether he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/i-had-assumed-that-bush-s-seemingly-inflexible-policy-to-support/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [The Buddha is in me, the Buddha is in you. Live up to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-buddha-is-in-me-the-buddha-is-in-you-live-up-to-it/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [“How many planes there are, we do not know. The levels of nature that science discriminates give us no clue, for these all pertain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/how-many-planes-there-are-we-do-not-know-the-levels-of-nature-that/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [So always, if we look back, concern for face-to-face morality, and its modern emphasis on justice as well, have historically evolved as religious issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/so-always-if-we-look-back-concern-for-face-to-face-morality-and-its/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [All -isms end up in schisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/all-isms-end-up-in-schisms/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [Most of the book deals with things we already know yet never learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/most-of-the-book-deals-with-things-we-already-know-yet-never-learn/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) [Explore all 167 Huston Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) ## More Clock quotes > [Even Einstein had to rely for his time on his clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-einstein-had-to-rely-for-his-time-on-his-clock/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [“Time was never neutral and often felt dangerous. We either think we have all the time in the world or time moves too fast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-reay/time-was-never-neutral-and-often-felt-dangerous-we-either-think-we/) [Katherine Reay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-reay/) > [Before a clock was in the tower, Or e'er a watch was worn; I knew of night the passing hour, And prophesied the morn;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/before-a-clock-was-in-the-tower-or-e-er-a-watch-was-worn-i-knew-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A clock struck out the hour of twelve, and the bird in the hedgerow was still singing as we marched out to the roadway,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-macgill/a-clock-struck-out-the-hour-of-twelve-and-the-bird-in-the-hedgerow/) [Patrick MacGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-macgill/) > [“Time is, to put it in its most impressive and some might say poncy-sounding form, my domain. I can see things that once happened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-rayner/time-is-to-put-it-in-its-most-impressive-and-some-might-say-poncy/) [Jacqueline Rayner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-rayner/) > [Time travel offends our sense of cause and effect - but maybe the universe doesn't insist on cause and effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-m-lerner/time-travel-offends-our-sense-of-cause-and-effect-but-maybe-the/) [Edward M. Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-m-lerner/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [Time.The greatest creator, and the worst destroyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/levi-keely/time-the-greatest-creator-and-the-worst-destroyer/) [Levi Keely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/levi-keely/) > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [No life goes past so swiftly as an eventless one, no clock spins like a clock whose days are all alike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/no-life-goes-past-so-swiftly-as-an-eventless-one-no-clock-spins-like/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [Those who stop marketing to save money are like those who stop a clock to save time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/those-who-stop-marketing-to-save-money-are-like-those-who-stop-a/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [Time is the nervous system of narration, whether factual or fictive. If it gets confused some of the minutiae of human nature are certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenway-wescott/time-is-the-nervous-system-of-narration-whether-factual-or-fictive-if/) [Glenway Wescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenway-wescott/) > [I don't know if it's just me or everyone, but the whole vibe with skiing is not so much thriving on competition against others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/picabo-street/i-don-t-know-if-it-s-just-me-or-everyone-but-the-whole-vibe-with/) [Picabo Street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/picabo-street/) > [Time goes on, even when yer not looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/time-goes-on-even-when-yer-not-looking/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Browse all 2,738 Clock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In India there was a sense of time that does not tick with modern clocks, just as there is a knowledge that is not gained through science and empirical experiments. In the modern West knowledge is of objective, finite particulars in historical time. India recognizes that kind of useful information: it calls it \"lower knowledge.\" Higher knowledge (paravidya) proceeds differently, or rather it doesn't proceed at all but enters history full-blown on the morning of a new creation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Huston Smith" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that-does-not-tick-with-modern/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clock" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that-does-not-tick-with-modern/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f37/huston-smith-2415_clock_in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that_2002315.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f37/huston-smith-2415_clock_in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that_2002315.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f37/huston-smith-2415_clock_in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that_2002315.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In India there was a sense of time that does not tick with modern clocks, just as there is a knowledge that…” — Huston Smith", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Huston Smith", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In India there was a sense...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that-does-not-tick-with-modern/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/in-india-there-was-a-sense-of-time-that-does-not-tick-with-modern/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```