The Elusiveness of Time: Unraveling the Continuous Flow of Existence

The feeling that time slips through our fingers is a multifaceted and astonishing phenomenon. Every moment we experience is not isolated but becomes part of a continuous stream where the present, past, and future interweave into a single whole. Our mind naturally merges individual moments into a sense of wholeness of being, allowing us to perceive the world as an ongoing process despite the fleeting nature of each fragment of reality.

The speed at which the scenes of our lives change—and the invisible intervals required for perception—play a decisive role in shaping our attitude toward time. Our consciousness integrates the tiniest slices of time—even those that seem almost imperceptible to us—transforming them into the fundamental building blocks of experience. It is precisely through these minimal segments that every object and event acquires its “thickness,” safeguarding it from instant disappearance in the flow of time.

In today’s world of accelerated technology, the sense of transience has taken on even more concrete outlines. The relentless pace of events forces us to experience each moment with extraordinary intensity—each new event almost immediately replacing the previous one. This rhythm of life not only underscores the value of the present but also imprints on our consciousness, prompting us to view time as a resource that can neither be halted nor slowed.

Ultimately, our subjective perception of time is formed by our ability to connect moments into one continuous experience, the peculiarities of our sensory and cognitive systems, and the influence of the fast pace of external reality. All of this makes us realize that every moment is priceless, yet so ephemeral that it should be cherished above all else. This dynamic leads us to contemplate the importance of seizing the moment, for it is in the sum of these exquisite details that the very essence of existence is contained.

What factors influence the subjective perception of the transience of time in our world?

The subjective perception of time’s transience is influenced by several interconnected factors, related both to the nature of time itself and to the peculiarities of our consciousness and mode of experiencing reality.

First, our perception of the world is based on the sequential succession of moments that we “bind” into one continuous reality. For instance, when we perceive an object (as in the case of an inkwell), we automatically unite separate moments of consciousness—the present, and an indefinite multitude of past and future moments. It is this unification that allows us to sense the wholeness of being, even though each moment passes silently and imperceptibly. As one source states:
"Perception of an object that stands before me, e.g., this inkwell, is composed of a continuous series of successive contents of consciousness: if I did not bind this passing series of moments into a single enduring reality in my mind, the reality of this inkwell would vanish for me. When I say, 'the inkwell exists,' I am thereby affirming that not only does the present exist in some form, but also an indefinite multitude of past and future moments. But to claim that something that has somehow disappeared in time or not yet occurred exists... I must rise above time—to that realm of eternal truth or meaning..." (source: link ).

Second, one cannot overlook the physical aspect of time perception. Even in a rapid external tempo (as in our technological age, where every moment is nearly instantaneously replaced by the next), our consciousness integrates reality through such minuscule fragments of time that we perceive them simply as moments. This minimal interval—characterized by roughly twentieths of a second—is the foundational "thickness" of time through which all our sensory information is filtered:
"Your psyche is inevitably aligned with time, and it is undoubtedly impossible to exclude time from our perception of the world. This minimal thickness of time, which seems either infinitely small or at least so minute that we ignore it, is not actually insignificant. Every perception requires some time..." (source: link ).

Furthermore, the dynamics and acceleration of the external world play a significant role in the sensation of time’s fleeting nature. In the conditions of our technological era, time truly “accelerates”: each moment serves as the basis for the generation of the next, leading to the devaluation of every individual moment. If one constantly feels that the present quickly gives way to the next, then the entirety of life is perceived as an unstoppable, ever-flowing stream. As described in one source:
"There is a frenzied acceleration of time. A person’s life is subject to this accelerating time. Every moment lacks inherent value and completeness; one cannot linger on it, for it must be replaced by the next moment as swiftly as possible..." (source: link ).

Thus, the subjective perception of time’s transience is determined by the following factors:
1. The method of merging sequential moments into one enduring experience, which allows us to sense the wholeness of reality.
2. The limitations of our sensory and cognitive systems, which define the minimal time intervals required for perception.
3. The influence of the rapid pace of external processes and the acceleration of time, leading to the diminishing value of each individual moment.

This interplay between the internal processes of consciousness and the objective characteristics of time creates our perception of time’s elusiveness—as if each moment were irrevocably carried away, rendering the present infinitely valuable yet simultaneously fleeting.

Supporting citation(s):
"Perception of an object that stands before me, e.g., this inkwell,... I must rise above time—to that realm of eternal truth or meaning, where all that has passed is preserved, and the future is anticipated." (source: link )

"Your psyche is inevitably aligned with time, and it is undoubtedly impossible to exclude time from our perception of the world. This minimal thickness of time... Every perception requires some time..." (source: link )

"There is a frenzied acceleration of time. A person’s life is subject to this accelerating time. Every moment lacks inherent value and completeness..." (source: link )