“Eternity†is a concept that is above “time†as we know it in this world. In eternity, there are no limitations as in past, present, and future—everything in eternity is in present tense, all at once!
This concept seems inconceivable. How does one rationally reconcile this?
Fortunately, I came across an explanation by Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, o.b.m., Talmudic scholar and Jewish philosopher of the 20th century. He is known through the collections of his writings published posthumously by his pupils, most notably Michtav M’Eliyahu.
Rav Dessler compares the hidden nature of time in our lives to a map of the world, whereupon each dot represents a city or town. The entire map is covered with an opaque overlay; however, there is one small window through which one can see a specific dot. All of the rest of the dots are not seen. If one were to move the window to another point on the map, another dot could be seen, and the previous dot would be covered, as would all the potential future dots that could conceivably be viewed at any given moment. For each time the window is moved, we are allowed to see only that which is in view of the window and nothing more.
Such is man’s life—he experiences the present. Once the present moment passes, it becomes a memory of the past, while the future has yet to be revealed.
If, however, we were to remove the covering from the map, we would see the entire landscape all at once, including all the dots—not piecemeal, but as a whole unit. This, then, is what eternity is—the past, present, and future all spread out in full view in one conglomerate.
Another example given to explain this phenomenon is as follows. If we were to experience continuous joy and happiness over the course of a ten-year period, each moment of joy would stand on its own merit. We could only feel the joy of that moment, the feeling of the present only. The feeling of joy from the past is but a memory—its feeling is not as powerful as the feeling of joy represented by the present, and the future feeling of joy is only as good as one’s imagination.
Were it possible to collect all of the joyful feelings from the entire ten-year period into one moment in the present, then the joy felt would be one that knows no bounds. Such is eternity—at all moments one can experience the full weight of the past, present, and future. In effect, one mere moment of eternity contains the full impact of eternity.
There are those among us in this world who live purely for the thrill of the moment—they don’t let the past haunt them nor the future to worry them. They take each day and try to enjoy life to the fullest. Why obsess about the past if one cannot change it? And why worry about the future if one cannot control it? Then, again, there are those who remain mired in their past, unable to move forward. Likewise, those who live in a fantasy world of dreams and of unrealistic expectations also land in great disappointment.
By taking into account our individual histories and simultaneously considering in which direction we are pointed, we can perhaps get a taste of eternity by practicing living more in the present. One technique that is a powerful tool in increasing our awareness of the present is called “mindfulness.†There are many types of exercises one can employ, such as focusing on one’s breathing, or chewing one’s food slowly while paying attention to every sensation during the chewing process, remaining in a heightened state of alertness, and by enjoying just “being.†We can all achieve the peace and tranquility that often eludes us, if we only will it.
Dr. Bernie Kastner is a psychotherapist in private practice with offices in Jerusalem and Ramat Bet Shemesh. He is also the author of “Understanding the Afterlife in This Life†and “Masa El Haor.†Feel free to visit his website at drbkastner.com. He can be reached at bdk15@caa.columbia.edu.
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“Eternity†is a concept that is above “time†as we know it in this world. In eternity, there are no limitations as in past, present, and future—everything in eternity is in present tense, all at once!
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