What is the defect in our design that makes it so hard to escape our preoccupation with the<\/p>\n
past and the future, even though it increases our suffering? It\u2019s this: time is the ground from which thought itself is grown.<\/p>\n
To get a better sense of this, let\u2019s try my favorite exercise. I call it the Full Awareness Test. Sit down, take a deep breath, relax, and close your eyes. Keep them closed for a minute or so. The time doesn\u2019t have to be exact; you\u2019re just clearing your visual palate. Now open your eyes for a few seconds and look around. Don\u2019t do anything more than observe whatever is in your immediate environment. Then close your eyes again.<\/p>\n
Now, with your eyes still closed, silently describe to yourself what you saw. This isn\u2019t a memory test; we\u2019re just looking for a description of whatever it is that you\u2019ve observed. Go into detail about as much as you can remember, but be as factual as possible. Be careful not to let your thoughts intrude and interpret what you\u2019ve seen. Stick with statements like this: I look out my apartment window at<\/p>\n
night and see water extending to a low horizon of palm trees and two-story buildings interspersed with tall, gleaming skyscrapers. Daylight is still fading from the horizon, where I can make out thin strands of clouds. Higher up, the sky is much darker and pricked with stars.<\/p>\n
Are you noticing that it might take you several minutes to describe what you observed in just a few seconds? The act of observation requires only simple awareness, but describing it introduces much lengthier thought processes. Still, because you\u2019re limiting those thoughts to describing what you\u2019ve just seen, they\u2019re always in the present tense. They have no past or future timestamps, and as a result they\u2019re smoother and calmer than they would otherwise be.<\/p>\n
You see? Connecting to the present doesn\u2019t require much brainpower at all. If your brain were limited to only describing whatever is going on around you in this moment, it wouldn\u2019t have much to say. The voice in your head might sound something like this: Blue sofa ahead Two light sources. A floor lamp and a candle. Candle flame flickering in the breeze. The smell of freshly baked bread. Not much of a conversation, is it? That\u2019s because there are no pros and cons. There\u2019s no drama until we throw in the past and the future.<\/p>\n
I frequently turn to this exercise to get myself anchored in the present moment. It calms me and reminds me of two important features of awareness: we don\u2019t need thoughts to be aware, just presence; and even when we do introduce thoughts, by focusing them on the present moment we become much less stressed. Giving your brain the task of simply describing its surroundings keeps those thoughts quieter, smoother, and easier than the incessant stream of thoughts that takes you beyond the here and now.<\/p>\n
Try this exercise again. You don\u2019t need to close your eyes once you get the hang of it. Notice the cup of coffee on your table but resist the temptation to label it good or bad, hot or cold, or to wonder whether it\u2019ll end up leaving a ring on your wood furniture. Just limit your thoughts to what you see in this moment: A white ceramic cup half-filled with black coffee on a bleached pine table.<\/p>\n
When you tune in to the present moment you accept it as it is. You don\u2019t compare it or judge it, and you don\u2019t wonder how it could be different in the future or better or worse than it was in the past. You are 100 percent in harmony with the Happiness Equation. Events totally match your expectations when you observe the world as it is. How peaceful!<\/p>\n
I\u2019m going to ask you to step back into that capsule for one more trip. This time the researcher proudly informs you that the technology now moves the capsule instantaneously between stations. It takes no time at all to get to the other end. \u201cWe\u2019ve also added lots to experience at every station,\u201d she says, \u201cwhich is why some volunteers have complained that the journey passes by unnoticed while they would\u2019ve preferred to take their time and enjoy it. So we added a new feature, a button that you can press whenever you want to move forward to the next station. If you don\u2019t push the button, the capsule will automatically advance from each station at midnight every day. You can press the button seventy-five times at your own convenience to get to the other side or experience the full seventy-five-day trip. It is your choice.\u201d She then says, \u201cOr was it seventy-five years? I can\u2019t remember. It doesn\u2019t matter, it will pass by in a flash either way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s an easy choice,\u201d you say. \u201cLet\u2019s get on with it. See you on the other side.\u201d As she closes the door she says, \u201cOh, I forgot to mention, I won\u2019t be able to meet you there. When you reach the other end, you die. This ride is all you have.\u201d She pushes the start button, closes the door, and sends you on your way.<\/p>\n
Now that you\u2019re in control (sort of), will you press the button quickly and get it done with, or will you spend every day experiencing each station to the fullest? Will you spend the time in each station thinking about Day 75? Will you spend it regretting the days that passed? Or will you spend every day experiencing that day and everything it has to offer?<\/p>\n
Make up your mind.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Solve for Happy<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Mo Gawdat<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What is the defect in our design that makes it so hard to escape our preoccupation with the past and the future, even though it increases our suffering? It\u2019s this: time is the ground from which thought itself is grown. 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