What is time ?

china

Time Out
Jul 30, 2006
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Ottawa ,Canada
How does one come to a point where one asks oneself: What is time? What is psychological time and what is the role of time in transformation? Is it a borrowed insight or it has emanated from the depths of self-enquiry? Out of genuine self-examination and search?
 

scratch

Senate Member
May 20, 2008
5,658
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38
How does one come to a point where one asks oneself: What is time? What is psychological time and what is the role of time in transformation? Is it a borrowed insight or it has emanated from the depths of self-enquiry? Out of genuine self-examination and search?
Time: necessary evil?
 

china

Time Out
Jul 30, 2006
5,247
37
48
72
Ottawa ,Canada
Scratch ,

Time: necessary evil?
As I embark on the path of self-enquiry I discover that there is a need for some kind of transformation which is not just superficial in nature, but very, profound. I read books, go to different "authorities", perform spiritual practices, join different organizations and meditate. Soon I discover (either through my own examination or because a friend has pointed out to me) that all efforts only strengthen the self, the very self from which freedom is being sought. I examine the truth of this and find that it seems to be true. All movement from what I am to what I want to be is only a movement within the same field, only with a different form and appearance. The mind receives it as a shock, there is a desperate attempt on its part to resist the truth of what the friend has pointed out, there is a lot of frustration because my belief has been challenged…I am at a loss. And worse I find it difficult to accept this state of being in a situation where I do not what to do now…I have already spent so much time, I have been arguing, reading, understanding, groping…wasting immense amount of time and here is someone who points out that all this has been futile!

This is the point where I begin to question the role of time in my life, in my transformation. I can see then that I have not changed at all. That I have only become more polished, more subtle in manifesting my ego ,or like L Gilbert says ... "more philosophical" , more sophisticated, more clever…that is all. Nothing has changed at a deeper level. I have only become isolated, withdrawing myself into a shell so that I do not face situations which cause my ego to flare up…I have not changed at all.

As I observe myself, I also discover that the ego, the self seems to be creating time because it has discovered that it is a potent tool for its survival. It is the ground on which it can stand firmly and feel secure. It is like a peg on which it can hang itself and feel very safe. Is the self using time to perpetuate itself? To give itself a sense of permanency? All thought is rooted in the past. It is very clear to anyone who cares to observe. It is firmly anchored in the past. As a response of memory, it is just another face of the past. And so is future. A modified past. Past modified by present and moving on to what we call future. All I know is past. My present is past and so is my future. The present seems like a translated version of the past. Has self created this? Has it created a future because it is all the time threatened by the realization that there is none? Has it created the concept of time to survive? It seems to me that psychological time in this sense is the very basic unit for the construction of the self, the ‘me’. It seems that the beginning of the self is the beginning of time.

One also observes that thought is time. It seems that thought, time and ego are all made of the same stuff. They are all movements from one point to another. From the 'tyranny' of what one is to the fictitious comfort of what one wants to be. In this movement, time is involved and so are thought and efforts. Self projects a future (time), and thought makes efforts to reach that future. They are all conspiring together to strengthen the self, themselves. They have the same flavour, the same colour, the same texture. Illusory, fragile, without a firm foundation, false, but tremendously powerful and holding a powerful sway over my mind .
 
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socratus

socratus
Dec 10, 2008
1,131
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38
Israel
www.worldnpa.org
Time. /My opinion./
===== ===.
There are two kinds of time:
a) the proper (individual) time and
b) the planetary time.
They are so familiar that we rarely give them thought.
Don’t we know, that time for living being is limited
and the planetary time is absolute for them ? It is.
Maybe therefore Newton declared that time is absolute.
It “ flows equably without relation to anything external”
he wrote in 1687. But Einstein had another opinion.
He wanted to know: “ Where does the conception of time
come from?”, “ What is the essence of time?”.
And to explain these questions he created two theories:
SRT and GRT and declared that time is relative, changeable.
1.
SRT explains behavior and the proper time of light
quanta /electron. Why do I think so?
a)
One law (postulate) of SRT says that speed of light quanta
is constant c=1. Second law ( postulate ) says no another particle
can reach this speed. So there are two incommensurable
quantities. Is it possible to bind them together? No. I was
taught at school from the first class that the incommensurable
quantities cannot be compared. The connection between these
incommensurable quantities is similar to the decision of a
problem: “What will be if the whale attacks the elephant?”
We can see whale in a ocean and elephant in a savanna,
but they never meet and fight in the same “ frame of reference”.
And the same is about light quanta and another particles.
We cannot see them together in SRT. We can meet only the
light quanta in SRT and no other particles in it.
b)
SRT was born from Maxwell's theory and it is a continuation
of the electrodynamics’ development . The electron is a main
and single hero in the Maxwell's theory and SRT. There
isn't the Maxwell's theory / SRT without electron.
It is not correct to compare electron/ light quanta with another
particles (protons…etc) and bodies (billiard balls, satellites,
astronauts, “twins”) because they cannot produce electromagnetic
fields. The electron and the another particles are also incommensurable
quantities. They are absolutely different objects.
c)
Every epoch has its own delusion. Maxwell and Boltzmann
tried to explain electromagnetic fields using balls, wheels,
cog-wheels, springs…etc. H. Hertz, who demonstrated the
existence of the electromagnetic waves, wrote that the
electromagnetic waves didn’t have practice use. Etc….
Now we try to compare electron/photon
ability with astronaut’s and “twins’ ” opportunities. It is mistaken,
but what to do? We do it because this is our way of cognition
:” From vague wish to the bright thought”.
2.
So, how SRT explains time from electron/ light quanta point of view.
a)
When light quanta is in state of a rest its time is frozen,
and its own clock shows zero.
b)
When photon moves with constant speed c=1
its time is also frozen, and its own clock still shows zero.
c)
Only when photon moves with speed c>1 its zero time
changes and limited time appears. In this situation we
know photon as an electron. Photon works as an electron
and SRT explains this process.
d)
And when , for example, electron emits from an atom and
interacts with Vacuum all its parameters change. Its limited
time ends and its own clock shows zero again. Now it lives
in infinite/ eternal Vacuum until new incarnation, until its new
work, maybe, in an atom (molecule), or in a cell, maybe, in a blade
of grass or in a tree, maybe, in an animal or in a person.
In another words:” We are living beings until Light quanta/
Electron is present and works in our body.” Is it true? Why?
Because W. Pauli in 1924 wrote:" Each quantum state in the atom
is not limited to two electrons, but only one electron".
It means in the atom can be only one, single electron.
The electron manages the atom. If the atom contains more
than one electron (for example – two), this atom represents
“ Siamese twins”. Save us God of having such atoms and cells.
And the living being begins its life from one, singe cell.
e)
Trying to understand “ the electrodynamics of moving bodies”
Einstein wrote that it is the result of time and space changes.
It is not exactly correct , because these changes are secondary
in SRT. And the first point of SRT is that light quanta changes
its spin. The former Planck/ Einstein’s spin (h) changes in Goudsmit /
Uhlenbeck's spin (h = h / 2pi), and as a result of this act all its parameters
change and the time and new space appear.
3.
GRT explains the conditions of gravitation and the secret of
planetary time. Why do I think so?
a)
When Einstein worked on GRT, he asked astronomers:
“ What is the average mass of matter in the Universe?”
The result was lamentable. The quantity of mass was
insignificantly small. It was impossible to keep gravitation
law with such insignificantly little mass and so, the Universe
must be “open”, endless. But what to do with the infinite
space, Einstein didn’t know. Therefore he took (from the
heaven) “ the cosmological constant” in order to “close”
the Universe. The taken mass was enough for creating the
condition of gravitation. Without “ the cosmological constant”
the Universe is endless.
b)
In 1922 Friedman wrote, that we could not take “ the
cosmological constant” in calculation. Instead of it, it is
enough to take “time” and the Universe will be “closed”.
Friedman was correct, but why? Because “time”, by its
nature, is a limited physical quantity and, be taken in
mathematical calculation, automatically gives “closed” result.
c)
So, the detected material mass of the
matter in the Universe is so small (the average density
of all substance in the Universe is approximately
p=10^-30 g/sm^3) that the gravitation law doesn't work.
Astronomers and astrophysicists know about this fact and
therefore (to save the gravitation law) invented new matter
a "dark matter", a new energy a “dark energy” and another
abstract objects. This “ invention” is only a result of our
mentality , which says: ” If in a theory you meet infinity it
means the theory is nonsense”. It is very hard to take that
the Universe is infinite. It is no easy matter to give up
a lifetime of habit .
d)
On my opinion it is impossible to use GRT to Universe as
a whole. The Newton/ Einstein's gravitation laws are correct
only in the local parts of Vacuum. The Universe / Vacuum
as a whole is endless.
e)
So, how does GRT explain time?
According to GRT the time depends on the mass
and speed it means, of moving matter.
It means that different masses and speeds can create
different time. For example, our planet Earth has its
own time but for us it is absolute.
The other planets have another mass and speed and
therefore they have their own time. This time according
to GRT is relative. But their habitants will think their
time is absolute. But if they know GRT they will
not make this mistake.
=============
According to SRT and GRT time is relative.
SRT says about proper/ individual time of an
electron/ light quanta.
GRT says about planetary time of a Planet..
The time cannot exist without matter and speed,
in another words, without moving matter. But
different reasons and different moving of a matter
create the proper and planetary time.
=================..
Is it possible to see the different manifestation of
time in a human being?
Here is an article “ Even the time is pressed from fear”
by Dr. Vadim Chernobrov (collaborator of MAI -
- Moscow Aviation Institute).
He wrote, that we usually think time is a constant quality.
But Einstein’s relative theory says time is relative.
Question. Is it possible to check it in our life?
Answer. Russian and foreign researches say it is
possible. The documents (secret in the past) testify
that “cataclysm of time”, “ phenomenon of time’s
perversion “,” the changes (its deceleration) of time”
often is observed by people whose profession connected
with risk: astronauts, pilots, drivers, soldiers.
1.
The test pilot Mark Gallay wrote in his book
“The test in the sky” when his airplane was caught
with fire “ the time began to go in another scale. The time
almost stopped. Every second took ability of expansion,
and in this situation it was possible to do many things.”
He confirms that tested such feeling many times.
2.
The test pilot Marina L. Popovich said the same,
in the dangerous, catastrophic situations “ the time
is stretches”.
3.
In June 1989 the soviet airplane MIG-29 crashed near
Paris, in Le Bourget airport , in the time of its air show.
The notes of “the black box” showed that during the
four (4)seconds the test pilot Anatoly Kvochur made as
many operations as in normal situation it would take some
minutes. The test pilot later said: ” the time was stretched”.
4.
The captain N.Z.(fought in Afghanistan) remembers:
“the fly of the bullet was so beautiful that I didn’t guess
to evade from it, although I have enough time to do it”.
5.
The sergeant V. Ch (fought in Afghanistan) told:
“ The black barrel of gun seems very big, even enormous.
Time is stopped and full silence came. And I moved slowly
a step a side and the bullet passed close to me.”
6.
Etc…
His conclusions.
The people in a critical situation, on the border of death,
suddenly for themselves begin to see everything as in the
slow down film and in this time their speed reaction and
power increase in tens and hundreds times. And this explains:
a) why a man who escaped from wolves, can quickly reach
up the top of the naked tree,
b) an old woman took out a big trunk from her burned house,
which later two strong firemen couldn’t rise.
c) etc…
=============..
My experience.
The speed on the curve was so fast that to keep the balance of
the car I went on other road line and flew straight at the
“forehead’ of a green mercedes. The driver of the mercedes
was in panic, in horror. He threw the wheel and closed his face
with his hands. Suddenly the time stopped and the sound disappeared
for me and I made many actions before my car kicked only the side
back door of the mercedes. It was long time ago, but writing this article
I understood better what happened.
Our computer-brain works on a dualistic basis.
Brain of a man approximately consists of sixteen milliards neutrons.
All of them form the system that manages human body.
That is why that with the work of all the sixteen milliards neutrons
of brain, a man cannot catch a single impulse of his Electron, of his
Quantum of light, of his God:
(mass of electron is equal 10^-31 kg., charge of electron is equal 10^-19 k.)
But in that time ( critical time ) most neurons of my brain stopped
their electric pulse (time almost stopped) and my Light Quanta/Electron
in this new condition (superconductivity) had possibility to increase
my speed reaction and power on a short period of time and maybe
saved my life. I must to thank Him.
===================..
Best wishes.
Israel Sadovnik. / Socratus.
===================.
” It's not so much that there's something strange about time,
the thing that's strange is what's going on inside time.
We will first understand how simple the universe is when
we recognize how strange time is. “
/ J. A. Wheeler /
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Archibald_Wheeler
=========.
 

hermanntrude

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jun 23, 2006
7,267
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Newfoundland!
ugh, socratus.... why the right-handed alignment?

and the links are against our rules. Please remove them or a moderator will do so
 

Vanni Fucci

Senate Member
Dec 26, 2004
5,239
17
38
8th Circle, 7th Bolgia
the-brights.net
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine
Staying home to watch the rain
And you are young and life is long
And there is time to kill today
And then one day you find
Ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run
You missed the starting gun

And you run, and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

Every year is getting shorter
Never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught
Or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
The time is gone
The song is over
Thought I'd something more to say

Home, home again
I like to be here when I can
When I come home cold and tired
It's good to warm my bones beside the fire
Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spell
 

Scott Free

House Member
May 9, 2007
3,893
46
48
BC
Wake up, got another day to get,
Through now, got another man to see
Gotta call him on the telephone ay o
Gotta find a piece of paper
Sit down, got another letter to write,
Think hard, gotta get a letter just right
Little ringin on the telephone oh no,
Gotta write another letter
No such thing as tomorrow
All we want
Two, three, go!
Time, got the time tick tick tickin in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin in my head
Tickin in my head, tickin in my head, tickin in my head
If i, tell ya what Im doing today
Will you, shut up and get out of my way
Someone ask me what the time is, I dont know
Only know I gotta go now
No time, tryin ta get a watch repaired
No time, never got a thing to wear
Little ringin on the telephone
Oh no, hear a ringin in my head now
No such thing as tomorrow
All we want
Two, three, go!
Time, got the time tick tick tickin in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin in my head
Tickin in my head, tickin in my head, tickin in my head
No such thing as tomorrow
All we want
Two, three, go!
Time, got the time tick tick tickin in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin in my head
Tickin in my head, tickin in my head
Tickin in my head!
 
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#juan

Hall of Fame Member
Aug 30, 2005
18,326
119
63


Time
Duration, considered independently of any system of measurement or any employment of terms which designate limited portions thereof.
A particular period or part of duration, whether past, present, or future; a point or portion of duration; as, the time was, or has been; the time is, or will be.
The period at which any definite event occurred, or person lived; age; period; era; as, the Spanish Armada was destroyed in the time of Queen Elizabeth; -- often in the plural; as, ancient times; modern times.
The duration of one's life; the hours and days which a person has at his disposal.
A proper time; a season; an opportunity.
Hour of travail, delivery, or parturition.
Performance or occurrence of an action or event, considered with reference to repetition; addition of a number to itself; repetition; as, to double cloth four times; four times four, or sixteen.
The present life; existence in this world as contrasted with immortal life; definite, as contrasted with infinite, duration.
Tense.
The measured duration of sounds; measure; tempo; rate of movement; rhythmical division; as, common or triple time; the musician keeps good time.
To appoint the time for; to bring, begin, or perform at the proper season or time; as, he timed his appearance rightly.
To regulate as to time; to accompany, or agree with, in time of movement.
To ascertain or record the time, duration, or rate of; as, to time the speed of horses, or hours for workmen.
To measure, as in music or harmony.
To keep or beat time; to proceed or move in time.
To pass time; to delay.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
time is what we have from the moment of birth to death.

we can't do anything about it, BUT, we can control what we do inside of it,
time does not control us, it is a luxury for us to play with and do what we want
with, have fun with, be miserable with, or?
It is our choice, so I choose to use it like a friend, I feel lucky to have it, as I won't
forever, so I will blend time with my life, and use it well.
Time mixed with pure 'quiet' is very powerful, if absorbed well, just as time
mixed with good company can be a positive experience, just as time mixed with
a faithful animal, or time spent in a beautiful garden.
 

Dexter Sinister

Unspecified Specialist
Oct 1, 2004
10,168
536
113
Regina, SK
According to the physicists, who ought to know, if anybody really does, time is what you read on a clock, and that's about all that can be said about it unless one wishes to wax philosophical about it. You can't specify or measure time except with reference to some regularly repeating event, like the oscillations of an escapement mechanism or the swinging of a pendulum in a mechanical clock, the vibrations of a crystal with a voltage across it, or an atom in the case of atomic clocks. The only part of physics that seems to specify a direction for time is thermodynamics, most of the equations show no preference for time's direction, they work just as well forwards or backwards. Quantum mechanics even seems to suggest that anti-matter can be viewed as matter with negative energy moving backwards in time. I'm inclined to think that whatever anyone thinks time is, it probably doesn't have much to do with what it really is, and it may in fact just be a human construct imposed on our view of events by our own consciousness. Which I suppose is just a fancy way of saying I don't know either. We all have an intuitive understanding of it, but if modern physics proves anything, it proves that intuition is a poor guide to reality.
 

mit

Electoral Member
Nov 26, 2008
273
5
18
SouthWestern Ontario
Time is the great equalizer - everybody gets the same amount - except maybe Newfoundland - Did they lose 1/2 hour or gain a 1/2 hour at some point?