Time

And an astronomer said, Master, what of Time?

And an astronomer asked, Master, what about Time?

And he answered:

And he answered:

You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable.

You want to measure time, though it has no limits and cannot be measured.

You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons.

You would change your behavior and even guide your spirit according to the hours and seasons.

Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its flowing.

You would make time into a stream, then sit on its bank and watch it flow.

Yet the timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness,

Yet the timeless part of you knows that life is timeless,

And knows that yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.

And knows that yesterday is only today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream.

And that that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space. Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless?

And what sings and reflects in you still lives within the bounds of that first moment. It was the moment that scattered the stars into space. Who among you does not feel that your power to love is limitless?

And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being, and moving not from love thought to love thought, nor from love deeds to other love deeds?

And yet, who does not feel that love, though boundless, is held at the center of their being? Who does not feel that love moves neither from one loving thought to another, nor from one loving deed to another?

And is not time even as love is, undivided and paceless?

And isn't time like love, undivided and without a pace?

But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons,

But if you must divide time into seasons in your mind, let each season embrace all the others,

And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.

Let today embrace the past with memories and the future with longing.