Changing Our Relationship With Time

You are probably already aware that at Common Earth we are all about changing our perspectives. We know that what has landed us smack-dab in the middle of this multi-crisis – the most existential crisis we have ever faced – is that we have some pretty strange ideas about a lot of things.

We need to shift our understanding of ourselves; who we are both as individuals, and as part of a more complex, interconnected whole. This is going to require seismic shifts in terms of how we think about just about everything.

The philosopher and social anthropologist, Ernest Gellner once said that

I was initially surprised by this idea that our relationship with time is so critical, but as I reflect on our easy answers, surface relationships, instant-gratification, short attention span and short-term consequence society, it started to make more sense to me. The idea that our relationship with time could help catalyze some of the other shifts required increasingly appeals to me. More depth and breadth and substance brought to how we think about everything, it would seem to me, is precisely what we need right now.

For example, would we be so quick to justify making a profit at the expense of the health of our planet if we adopted more of the Seven Generations principle? This is a philosophy, particularly prominent in many Indigenous North American cultures, that emphasizes considering the impacts of present-day decisions on future generations. It encourages decision-makers to think about how their actions will affect people seven generations into the future, and also to consider the wisdom and experiences of those who lived seven generations before. This principle promotes long-term thinking and sustainability in various aspects of life, including resource management, relationships, and governance.

Let’s consider the depth and breadth that this principle brings to our decision-making by exploring some of the key aspects:

Long-term Perspective:

It encourages moving beyond immediate needs and short-term gains to consider the long-term consequences of actions, fostering a sense of responsibility towards future generations.

Intergenerational Equity:

It emphasizes fairness and balance between current and future generations, ensuring that decisions made today do not compromise the well-being of those who will inherit the world tomorrow.

Holistic Thinking:

The principle encourages considering the interconnectedness of all things and the impact of decisions on the environment, communities, and future societies.

Respect for Ancestors:

It honors the wisdom and knowledge of past generations, encouraging learning from their experiences and traditions.

Sustainability:

It promotes sustainable practices in resource management, economic development, and social structures, ensuring the long-term viability of communities and ecosystems.

Given all the benefits of adopting a longer-term perspective, I am actively looking for ways to incorporate more of this perspective into my thinking. If you are interested, I highly recommend The Long View by Richard Fisher. It was a transformative read in terms of how I relate to time. I also recall the awe with which I watched Journey of the Universe. I value anything that helps me to fully appreciate the implications of the 13.8-billion-year journey we have been on and allows me to experience myself as, to quote Alan Watts, “the universe experiencing itself”. So it was with much enthusiasm that I laced up my sneakers and embarked on my first Deep Time Walk on the trails behind my house. In case you aren’t yet familiar with this concept, deep time refers to the vast stretches of geological time that are necessary to understand the Earth’s formation and evolution. It is a concept that expands our perspective beyond the human timescale to grasp the slow, gradual processes that have shaped our planet over immense periods. I downloaded the free Deep Time Walk app that combines scientific evidence with poetry to tell the story of Earth’s formation, providing a unique and educational perspective of deep time.

It encourages you to get outdoors to participate in a 4.6 Km walk at a rate of 1 million years per meter. It will guide you on a journey while silently calculating your speed and distance adjusting the audio accordingly. I could not recommend it more.

Try it out for yourself and let’s schedule an alumni conversation to discuss the difference it makes in helping us deepen our relationship to Time. Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Click below to get the free app: