The Eternal Now

This is a quote from the book “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin. Over the last few days, I've delved into its pages, and it offers a novel perspective on life. I've always believed that motivation and direction must come from within. Internal motivation was, in my view, something that each individual needed to discover and nurture. I clung to this belief for most of my early life, but only recently have I started considering other viewpoints. One such perspective is that inspiration and motivation may be, to some extent, influenced by the universe around us. Rick Rubin's treatise echoes this notion.

The universe perpetually ebbs and flows. Matter and energy continually transition, spawning new entities and dissolving old ones. Creation is an inherent part of our existence, ever-present in our environment. To truly grasp such a magnificent phenomenon, one must possess a keen sense of their surroundings. In essence, one needs an acute awareness of the present moment.

In his book, Rick discusses the concept of “the eternal now”. This notion has lingered in my thoughts, challenging me to understand its depth. Initially, I perceived it as an invitation to be present, a call to decelerate and truly perceive our surroundings. By heightening our consciousness, we would become more attuned to the ongoing creation around us. While this understanding seemed straightforward, it felt somewhat incomplete.

I embarked on a journey to augment my daily awareness. My aim was to decelerate, reduce my digital footprint, and reconnect with the real world. However, when you strip away distractions, it becomes evident that the mind itself can be the greatest distractor. This revelation highlighted a vulnerability within me: I had lost dominion over my thoughts.

To truly embrace the now, I had to confront and tame my mind. The discipline required wasn't just about silencing the mind but directing it when needed. With newfound clarity, my next endeavor was to observe the universe actively. This attentive state was initially elusive, often disrupted by fleeting thoughts or sensory diversions. However, with persistence, I found tranquility that was both refreshing and profound.

Drawn by this newfound peace, I continued to nurture this mindset. Today, I experienced an overwhelming serenity that heightened my observations. I acted on instinct, heeding the “guides” around me and seamlessly flowed with the universe's rhythm. The day was rewarding and soul-nourishing. I felt purposeful and aligned, accomplishing what intuitively felt right rather than sticking to a predefined plan. As the day waned, in a profound moment of clarity, everything synchronized. The universe and I were in harmony, my curiosity being the sole exception. It felt eternal, boundless, and congruent.

Time seemed superfluous, merely an arbitrary label. This moment, which felt timeless, wasn't stagnant. Unlike a still photograph, the universe didn't pause; it was dynamic, alive and creating seamlessly from every angle.