--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The past is the past, the future not yet…" description: "\"“The past is the past, the future not yet risen, and even the present thought, as we experience it, becomes the past. The only thing we really have is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_past-future_the-past-is-the-past-the-future-not-yet_2224176.jpg" --- # The past is the past, the future not yet risen, and even… ![“The past is the past, the future not yet risen, and even the present thought, as we experience it, becomes the past. The only thing we really have is nowness, is now.” quote by Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_past-future_the-past-is-the-past-the-future-not-yet_2224176.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_past-future_the-past-is-the-past-the-future-not-yet_2224176.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_past-future_the-past-is-the-past-the-future-not-yet_2224176.jpg) > ““The past is the past, the future not yet risen, and even the present thought, as we experience it, becomes the past. The only thing we really have is nowness, is now.”” [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Only the present moment truly exists; past and future are mental constructs, and awareness of now is the only reality we possess. **In simple terms:** Only now is real; past and future are thoughts. Key Takeaway Live fully in the present. Themes mindfulness impermanence time perception spirituality Mood calm reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily meditation - stressful decision making - creative work Key Concepts present-moment awareness philosophical reflection meditative practice Questions to Reflect On - How can we honor the past while staying present? - What practices help sustain present-moment awareness? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on now can neglect learning from past or planning for future. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Experience Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience-past-447374/) [Past future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-future/) [Past Is The Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-is-the-past/) [Past Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-past/) [Past Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-thing-1012972/) [Present Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-thought-981081/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [You cannot just let the past be the past, because there is no such thing as the past if everything is still being held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-scott/you-cannot-just-let-the-past-be-the-past-because-there-is-no-such/) [Kathleen Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-scott/) > [It's being here now that's important. There's no past and there's no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-harrison/it-s-being-here-now-that-s-important-there-s-no-past-and-there-s-no-2/) [George Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-harrison/) > [I think we have to be positive and think about what we can do now because the past is the past - we cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-luiz/i-think-we-have-to-be-positive-and-think-about-what-we-can-do-now/) [David Luiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-luiz/) > [Past is the past you got to understand, loveing someone is not only a memory it will always stay in your heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sirfraz-khan/past-is-the-past-you-got-to-understand-loveing-someone-is-not-only-a/) [Sirfraz Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sirfraz-khan/) > [The past is the past. Some things and some people need to left behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latest/the-past-is-the-past-some-things-and-some-people-need-to-left-behind/) [Latest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latest/) > [The past is the past. We're not going to spend energy on the past, because it's going to detract from us going forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-glazer/the-past-is-the-past-we-re-not-going-to-spend-energy-on-the-past/) [Joel Glazer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-glazer/) > [Time to go and not look back. The past is the past, time to make the future brighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-to-go-and-not-look-back-the-past-is-the-past-time-to-make-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The past is the past you cant change anything that has already happened! all you can do is make sure it doesn't happen again!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-past-is-the-past-you-cant-change-anything-that-has-already/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [The past is the past, but truth is, some things in the past stay with you forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknowns/the-past-is-the-past-but-truth-is-some-things-in-the-past-stay-with/) [Unknowns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unknowns/) > [While the past is the past, it often affects our decisions later on in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/while-the-past-is-the-past-it-often-affects-our-decisions-later-on-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The past is the past there is nothing you can do to change it. 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Dont let the past get in the way of you or your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-past-is-the-past-they-call-it-that-for-a-reason-dont-let-the-past/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You know, you can learn a lot from your past, but for me, the past is the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-zimmerman/you-know-you-can-learn-a-lot-from-your-past-but-for-me-the-past-is/) [Ryan Zimmerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-zimmerman/) ## More by Sogyal Rinpoche > [That goodness is what survives death, a fundamental goodness that is in each and every one of us. The whole of our life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/that-goodness-is-what-survives-death-a-fundamental-goodness-that-is/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Why exactly are we so frightened of death that we avoid looking at it altogether? Somewhere, deep down, we know we cannot avoid facing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/why-exactly-are-we-so-frightened-of-death-that-we-avoid-looking-at-it/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The masters say if you create an auspicious condition in your body and your environment then meditation and realization will automatically arise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-masters-say-if-you-create-an-auspicious-condition-in-your-body/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [At every moment in our lives we need compassion, but what more urgent moment could there be than when we are dying? What more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/at-every-moment-in-our-lives-we-need-compassion-but-what-more-urgent/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Theories are like patches on a coat, one day they just wear off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/theories-are-like-patches-on-a-coat-one-day-they-just-wear-off/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [{While meditating} I sit quietly and rest in the nature of mind; I don't question or doubt whether I am in the "correct" state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/while-meditating-i-sit-quietly-and-rest-in-the-nature-of-mind-i-don-t/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The most essential thing in life is to establish an unafraid, heartfelt communication with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-most-essential-thing-in-life-is-to-establish-an-unafraid/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The definition of mantra is "that which protects the mind." That which protects the mind from negativity, or that which protects you from your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-definition-of-mantra-is-that-which-protects-the-mind-that-which/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [If all we know of mind is the aspect of mind that dissolves when we die, we will be left with no idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/if-all-we-know-of-mind-is-the-aspect-of-mind-that-dissolves-when-we/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Western laziness consists of cramming our lives with compulsive activity, so that there is no time at all to confront the real issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/western-laziness-consists-of-cramming-our-lives-with-compulsive/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The key to finding a happy balance in modern lives is simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-key-to-finding-a-happy-balance-in-modern-lives-is-simplicity/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The purpose of meditation is to awaken in us the sky-like nature of mind, and to introduce us to that which we really are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-purpose-of-meditation-is-to-awaken-in-us-the-sky-like-nature-of/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The real glory of meditation lies not in any method but in its continual living experience of presence, in its bliss, clarity, peace, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-real-glory-of-meditation-lies-not-in-any-method-but-in-its/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Samsara is the mind turned outwardly, lost in its projections. Nirvana is the mind turned inwardly, recognizing its true nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/samsara-is-the-mind-turned-outwardly-lost-in-its-projections-nirvana/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [“The simplicity of total trust is one of the most powerful forces in the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-simplicity-of-total-trust-is-one-of-the-most-powerful-forces-in/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) [Explore all 144 Sogyal Rinpoche quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) ## More Past future quotes > [“The past and the future are what's complicated. It's the present that's simple. And the simplicity is the sensation of it being just her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/the-past-and-the-future-are-what-s-complicated-it-s-the-present-that/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [“The past and the future were just blinders we wore so that infinity wouldn’t drive us mad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/the-past-and-the-future-were-just-blinders-we-wore-so-that-infinity/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [The past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-past-and-the-future-become-unimportant-there-is-only-that-moment/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [To live in the past or in the future may be less satisfying than to live in the present, but it can never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-d-laing/to-live-in-the-past-or-in-the-future-may-be-less-satisfying-than-to/) [R. D. Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-d-laing/) > [You cannot find yourself in the past or future.The only place where you can find yourself is in the Now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-malabago/you-cannot-find-yourself-in-the-past-or-future-the-only-place-where/) [Regina Malabago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-malabago/) > [“You see, the future is a kind of stew, a soup, a vichyssoise of the present and the past. That's how you get the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/you-see-the-future-is-a-kind-of-stew-a-soup-a-vichyssoise-of-the/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [As an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-foster/as-an-architect-you-design-for-the-present-with-an-awareness-of-the/) [Norman Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-foster/) > [Capitalism is not the system of the past; it is the system of the future -- if mankind is to have a future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/capitalism-is-not-the-system-of-the-past-it-is-the-system-of-the/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [“I stood in the middle between my past and my future, and the symbolism wasn't lost on me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-suzanne/i-stood-in-the-middle-between-my-past-and-my-future-and-the-symbolism/) [Lisa Suzanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-suzanne/) > [The increase of disorder or entropy is what distinguishes the past from the future, giving a direction to time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/the-increase-of-disorder-or-entropy-is-what-distinguishes-the-past/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [“Inhale the present, exhale the past and the future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/inhale-the-present-exhale-the-past-and-the-future/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [“It has been argued that we have reason to know that the future will resemble the past, because what was the future has constantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/it-has-been-argued-that-we-have-reason-to-know-that-the-future-will/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [When we yield to discouragement it is usually because we give too much thought to the past and to the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therese-of-lisieux/when-we-yield-to-discouragement-it-is-usually-because-we-give-too/) [Therese of Lisieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therese-of-lisieux/) > [Knowledge owns the past and future, as long as we've the information we've power over the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/knowledge-owns-the-past-and-future-as-long-as-we-ve-the-information/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [I'm not good at future planning. I don't plan at all. I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. I don't have a day planner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heath-ledger/i-m-not-good-at-future-planning-i-don-t-plan-at-all-i-don-t-know-what/) [Heath Ledger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heath-ledger/) [Browse all 476 Past future quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-future/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The past is the past, the future not yet risen, and even the present thought, as we experience it, becomes the past. 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