Seeing the Present as the Whole of Time: Attention, Memory, and the Now
In this chapter, we explore Jiddu Krishnamurti’s profound insights on time, consciousness, and the transformative potential of remaining in the now. His teachings challenge us to perceive time not as a linear sequence but as a holistic continuum, encapsulated entirely in the present. This understanding can lead to a fundamental transformation in the human mind and its conditioned responses.
The Now Contains All Time
Krishnamurti asserts that our consciousness, with all its memories, beliefs, and conditioning, is not separate from time. The past—our experiences, education, cultural programming, and memories—is actively present in the now, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world. Similarly, the future—our projections, hopes, and fears—emerges directly from the present state of our being.
Thus, the “now” contains the entirety of time:
- The past as the accumulation of experiences and memories.
- The future as the projection of the present conditioned state.
This realization shifts the traditional view of time as a linear progression. Instead, time becomes a psychological construct rooted in the present. To Krishnamurti, understanding this fact is essential for any meaningful transformation.
The Observer is the Observed: Ending Division
A critical element in Krishnamurti’s teaching is the relationship between the observer and the observed. He suggests that the division between “me” (the observer) and “my thoughts” (the observed) is an illusion created by memory and conditioning. This division fosters conflict, as the observer attempts to control, analyze, or escape from the observed.
Krishnamurti challenges this duality:
- The observer is the observed.
- The experiencer is the experience.
- The thinker is the thought.
When this unity is fully realized, the internal conflict dissolves. The brain no longer expends energy in division and contradiction, leading to a state of clarity and psychological freedom.
The Conditioning of the Human Brain
Krishnamurti emphasizes that the human brain is deeply conditioned. This conditioning stems from cultural, religious, political, and educational systems that program us to think and act in predefined ways. We identify ourselves as belonging to specific nations, religions, or ideologies, which perpetuates division and conflict.
- Memory as Identity: We often mistake our memories and conditioning for our true self. However, Krishnamurti highlights that even the thought of being “more than memory” arises from memory itself.
- The Role of Fear: Fear, rooted in the past and projected into the future, accelerates the deterioration of the brain. By perpetually seeking security through attachment to memory, the brain remains trapped in patterns of conflict and decay.
The Importance of Attention in the Now
Krishnamurti’s approach aligns with teachings from other spiritual traditions, including Advaita Vedanta, Mahamudra, and Dzogchen. In these frameworks, attention is the means to transcend the illusions of time and self.
Advaita Vedanta Perspective
In Advaita, the “now” is seen as the only reality, with the past and future being mere mental constructs. By anchoring attention in the present, one dissolves the ego (the product of memory and conditioning) and recognizes the eternal Atman—the unchanging consciousness that underlies all experiences.
Mahamudra and Rigpa
In Mahamudra and Dzogchen, remaining in the now is equated with recognizing Rigpa, the pure awareness that transcends time and thought. When one rests in Rigpa, the movements of thought and memory are seen as ephemeral expressions within the vast space of awareness. This perspective mirrors Krishnamurti’s insight that memory and thought are not separate from the thinker—they arise and dissolve in the same field of awareness.
Psychological Mutation: Transforming the Brain
Krishnamurti introduces the concept of a psychological mutation, a fundamental change in the brain’s functioning. This mutation occurs when the brain ceases to operate through the lens of conditioned memory and instead resides in a state of non-dual awareness.
- No Escape from the Now: True transformation begins when one stops escaping from the present through distractions or idealizations. The now is seen as the totality of existence, containing all time.
- Attention Without Division: By giving complete attention to the now, without trying to alter or escape it, the brain enters a state of non-conflict. This state halts the cycle of conditioning and opens the door to freedom.
Beyond Time: Ending Deterioration
Krishnamurti also warns that a brain trapped in fear, conflict, or excessive sensory pursuits is prone to deterioration. The incessant movement between the past and future erodes its vitality. However, when the brain is rooted in the now:
- It becomes free from the burden of memory.
- It no longer seeks security in attachments or ideologies.
- It regains its natural clarity and resilience.
This aligns with spiritual traditions that emphasize stilling the mind to access higher states of consciousness. Whether through Advaita’s self-inquiry or Dzogchen’s resting in Rigpa, the goal is to transcend the limitations of time and conditioning.
The Implications for Human Evolution
Krishnamurti’s teaching has profound implications for the evolution of human consciousness:
- Unity of Thought and Being: Recognizing that the observer is the observed eliminates division and conflict, creating a unified state of mind.
- Transcending Time: Understanding that the past and future exist only in the now liberates one from the tyranny of psychological time.
- Awakening to the Eternal: By remaining fully present, one aligns with the timeless awareness that is the essence of existence.
In this state, the human mind is no longer a product of conditioned patterns but a vessel for pure consciousness. This realization is not merely intellectual but a transformative recognition that ends suffering and reveals the boundless nature of being.
Living Beyond Time, in the only true Reality!
Krishnamurti’s exploration of time and consciousness invites us to see beyond the illusion of separateness. By realizing that the past and future are contained in the now, and that the observer is inseparable from the observed, we unlock the potential for profound psychological freedom.
This teaching resonates with the wisdom of Advaita, Mahamudra, and Dzogchen, each pointing toward the same truth: the now is the gateway to eternity. To live in the now is to live beyond time, in harmony with the infinite flow of existence. Through attention, awareness, and recognition, we discover that liberation is not something to achieve—it is what we already are. Shunyam Adhibhu
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