Spiritual Growth Reframes Our Perception of Time
Spiritual development has a profound impact on the perception of time, transforming the way the past and present are interpreted. On one hand, it helps a person continuously analyze and rethink their life journey. As noted in one of the texts, "A person lives as if with their head turned backward... So, one is doomed to the constant rethinking and reinterpretation of their path. They cannot live in a meaningless world; it is essential for them to understand why they are here and now in this state" (source: link txt). This statement emphasizes that our memory and past experiences serve as a guide for understanding the present, and spiritual development intensifies this process, making it more conscious and purposeful.Furthermore, spiritual development is seen as the preservation and revelation of the "eternal elements of existence," where the past is not denied but rather its significance is affirmed for forming the present. For instance, one source states: "Development is not the denial of the past, but the affirmation of what is embedded in it, the revelation of the eternal elements of existence, the unfolding of intrinsic qualities that were once in a potential state" (source: link txt). This highlights that spiritual growth helps a person see in the past not merely a sequence of events but a collection of fundamental characteristics of being that continue to influence the present.Equally important is the impact of spiritual development on the quality of time perception. According to another author, "everything we perceive from the past, everything that we remember, is imbued with the quality of the present" (source: link txt). This means that the process of spiritual development transforms our relationship with time: the past gains new meanings and shades that are reflected in our experience of the here and now. Thus, personal growth on a spiritual level not only facilitates a deeper understanding of the past but also integrates it into a unified perception of the present, where every moment acquires a unique value.