--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even time is a concept. In reality we are…" description: "\"Even time is a concept. In reality we are always in the eternal present. The past is just a memory, the future just an image or thought. All our storie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/jack-kornfield-936_concepts_even-time-is-a-concept-in-reality-we-are_1339321.png" --- # Even time is a concept. In reality we are always in the… ![“Even time is a concept. In reality we are always in the eternal present. The past is just a memory, the future just an image or thought. All our stories about past and future are only ideas, arising in the moment. Our modern culture is so tyrannized by goals, plans, and improvement schemes that we…” quote by Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/jack-kornfield-936_concepts_even-time-is-a-concept-in-reality-we-are_1339321.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/jack-kornfield-936_concepts_even-time-is-a-concept-in-reality-we-are_1339321.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/jack-kornfield-936_concepts_even-time-is-a-concept-in-reality-we-are_1339321.png) > “Even time is a concept. In reality we are always in the eternal present. The past is just a memory, the future just an image or thought. All our stories about past and future are only ideas, arising in the moment. Our modern culture is so tyrannized by goals, plans, and improvement schemes that we constantly live for the future. But as Aldous Huxley reminded us in his writings, "An idolatrous religion is one in which time is substituted for eternity...the idea of endless progress is the devil's work, even today demanding human sacrifice on an enormous scale.” [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It argues that time is a mental construct, while true reality is the eternal present, and that obsession with future goals is a form of idolatry. **In simple terms:** Time is a concept; living now is essential. Key Takeaway Focus on present moments. Themes mindfulness time perception spirituality Mood contemplative calm Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - meditation practice - goal setting - stress management - philosophical reflection Key Concepts presentism idolatry of progress Questions to Reflect On - How does focusing on the present change your life? - What are the costs of future‑oriented thinking? A Different Perspective The present can be hard to sustain amid societal pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternity/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvement/) [Live futures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-futures/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Modern culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-culture/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past and future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-and-future/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Schemes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schemes/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [We're always thinking of eternity as an idea that cannot be understood, something immense. But why must it be? What if, instead of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/we-re-always-thinking-of-eternity-as-an-idea-that-cannot-be/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Feel eternity around you. Not as an idea, not as a nice intellectualization, but to really feel it; not to be some religious fanatic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/feel-eternity-around-you-not-as-an-idea-not-as-a-nice/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“The entire world has arisen out of imagination (kalpna) and religion too is a form of imagination. Only reality (eternal truth) is free of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/the-entire-world-has-arisen-out-of-imagination-kalpna-and-religion/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“Time is a concept that doesn't exist in my life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-kennedy/time-is-a-concept-that-doesn-t-exist-in-my-life/) [Elle Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-kennedy/) > [--"There is no justice in love...it is only the glimpse or parable of an incomprehensible reality... the eternal breaking in on the the temporal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/there-is-no-justice-in-love-it-is-only-the-glimpse-or-parable-of-an/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“Time is both a concept we feel and a measurement we quantify.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jj-simon/time-is-both-a-concept-we-feel-and-a-measurement-we-quantify/) JJ Simon > [“Truth, says instrumentalism, is what works out, that which does what you expect it to do. The judgment is true when you can "bank"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-estil-cunningham/truth-says-instrumentalism-is-what-works-out-that-which-does-what-you/) [Holly Estil Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-estil-cunningham/) > [Don't say Theres still time or Maybe next time Because there's also the concept of It's too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-say-theres-still-time-or-maybe-next-time-because-there-s-also/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To be human is to be aware of the passage of time; no concept lies closer to the core of our consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-falk/to-be-human-is-to-be-aware-of-the-passage-of-time-no-concept-lies/) Dan Falk > [Some people are old at 18 and some are young at 90. Time is a concept that humans created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/some-people-are-old-at-18-and-some-are-young-at-90-time-is-a-concept/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [We are consciousness whether we are in this reality or whether we are not in this reality; we are eternal consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-icke/we-are-consciousness-whether-we-are-in-this-reality-or-whether-we-are/) [David Icke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-icke/) > [“When we contemplate, we realize that one moment is not separate from the other; What we need is to live from one moment to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gian-kumar/when-we-contemplate-we-realize-that-one-moment-is-not-separate-from/) [Gian Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gian-kumar/) > [Don't always say, There's still time. because there's also a concept of, It's too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/don-t-always-say-there-s-still-time-because-there-s-also-a-concept-of/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [You have to know the reality and the reality is that we are eternal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/you-have-to-know-the-reality-and-the-reality-is-that-we-are-eternal/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. We should live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/every-tomorrow-has-two-handles-we-can-take-hold-of-it-with-the-handle/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) ## More by Jack Kornfield > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [In opening we can see how many times we have mistaken small identities and fearful beliefs for our true nature and how limiting this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-opening-we-can-see-how-many-times-we-have-mistaken-small/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wherever you are is the perfect place to awaken. This moment is the exact place to practice compassion and loving awareness. You have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wherever-you-are-is-the-perfect-place-to-awaken-this-moment-is-the/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Acceptance does not mean inaction. We may need to respond, strongly at times...From a peaceful center we can respond instead of react. Unconscious reactions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/acceptance-does-not-mean-inaction-we-may-need-to-respond-strongly-at/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To live in this precious animal body on this earth is as great a part of spiritual life as anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-live-in-this-precious-animal-body-on-this-earth-is-as-great-a-part/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [We do not have to improve ourselves; we just have to let go of what blocks our heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/we-do-not-have-to-improve-ourselves-we-just-have-to-let-go-of-what/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To open deeply, as genuine spiritual life requires, we need tremendous courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-open-deeply-as-genuine-spiritual-life-requires-we-need-tremendous/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [As we step out of the way new things are born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/as-we-step-out-of-the-way-new-things-are-born/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [For most of us, generosity is a quality that must be developed. We have to respect that it will grow gradually; otherwise our spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/for-most-of-us-generosity-is-a-quality-that-must-be-developed-we-have/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [What is truly a part of our spiritual path is that which brings us alive. If gardening brings us alive, that is part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/what-is-truly-a-part-of-our-spiritual-path-is-that-which-brings-us/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Working with these distractions, steadying the canoe, letting the waves pass by, and coming back again and again in a quiet and collected way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/working-with-these-distractions-steadying-the-canoe-letting-the-waves/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To understand ourselves and our life is the point of insight meditation: to understand and to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-understand-ourselves-and-our-life-is-the-point-of-insight/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To let go in the deepest recesses of the heart, to release all struggle and wanting, leads us to that knowing which is timeless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-let-go-in-the-deepest-recesses-of-the-heart-to-release-all/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wisdom-says-we-are-nothing-love-says-we-are-everything-between-these/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Breathing meditation can quiet the mind, open the body, and develop a great power of concentration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/breathing-meditation-can-quiet-the-mind-open-the-body-and-develop-a/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) [Explore all 324 Jack Kornfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## More Concepts quotes > [Capability is just a concept of what is it we're looking at. Now how far we can go along that and what new capabilities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amartya-sen/capability-is-just-a-concept-of-what-is-it-we-re-looking-at-now-how/) [Amartya Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amartya-sen/) > [Our concept of a family holiday was going to a guest house in the Lake district or Wales where walking was part of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-bannister/our-concept-of-a-family-holiday-was-going-to-a-guest-house-in-the/) [Roger Bannister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-bannister/) > [What is music? Music is language. A human being wants to express ideas in this language, but not ideas that can be translated into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-webern/what-is-music-music-is-language-a-human-being-wants-to-express-ideas/) [Anton Webern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-webern/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [I do like talking with friends about big concepts, you know, the stuff that will ruin a party. To me, the party hasn't begun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/i-do-like-talking-with-friends-about-big-concepts-you-know-the-stuff/) [James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [For a physicist mathematics is not just a tool by means of which phenomena can be calculated, it is the main source of concepts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freeman-dyson/for-a-physicist-mathematics-is-not-just-a-tool-by-means-of-which/) [Freeman Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freeman-dyson/) > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [All significant concepts of the modern theory of the state are secularized theological concepts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/all-significant-concepts-of-the-modern-theory-of-the-state-are/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [If you are trying to live a life in accordance with the Bible, the concept and call to justice are inescapable. We do justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-trying-to-live-a-life-in-accordance-with-the-bible-the/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [So many times we come to Jesus in worship and ask Him for things that He already IS and has already done... What a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-nockels/so-many-times-we-come-to-jesus-in-worship-and-ask-him-for-things-that/) Christy Nockels > [ I don't think in national categories. For me it \[policy\] is about concepts and substance. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-don-t-think-in-national-categories-for-me-it-policy-is-about/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [In the very beginning, Yelp started as a service where we really didn't think people would write reviews for fun. The whole concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stoppelman/in-the-very-beginning-yelp-started-as-a-service-where-we-really-didn/) [Jeremy Stoppelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stoppelman/) > [To pray without expectation is to misunderstand the whole concept of prayer and relationship with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/to-pray-without-expectation-is-to-misunderstand-the-whole-concept-of/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) Browse all 2,468 Concepts quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Even time is a concept. In reality we are always in the eternal present. The past is just a memory, the future just an image or thought. All our stories about past and future are only ideas, arising in the moment. Our modern culture is so tyrannized by goals, plans, and improvement schemes that we constantly live for the future. 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