Present, Past and Future

~ By Ajahn Tiradhammo ~ 

Greetings from cool, green Wat Buddha Dhamma... Australia; www.wbd.org.au

Yes, Wat Buddha Dhamma is green again! (...)

The Buddha's teaching on the development of mindfulness encourages us to live more in the present moment. Most people, however, also need to relate to past and future. While writing this blog, for example, I must delve into the misty realms of memory. Fortunately, the Buddha pointed out that memory or thoughts of the future are not problems in themselves. Rather, the main issue is with the delighting in or seeking pleasure in memories or future plans.

We all have memories and sometimes need to plan or imagine what the future may present. However, we usually imagine that the past is back there and the future is up ahead – then we go travelling! When we know that the past is already gone and the future is just a fantasy, then we no longer get lost in trying to seek pleasure in them. We just acknowledge memory or plans as particular forms of mental activity in the present moment, and do not try to create more pleasure (or pain) out of them then they already have.

As an exercise just try to observe how you relate to memories or thoughts of the future. Do you see memories as a record of past events or do you go into fantasy mode – 'if only I did that', 'maybe if I hadn't done …', etc.

Unfortunately, we usually think that we simply recall buried memories. However, modern research has discovered that what we actually do is recollect certain key elements and then build a plausible new story around it. The new version then overwrites the old version and becomes the new 'old memory'. Have you noticed how the details of old memories are quite hazy and often doubtful?

In a positive sense memories can be a source of wisdom. If we are willing, we can see where we have gone astray at certain times and what has helped us to realign. Rather than moan over mistakes we can try to be more vigilant in future to not keep falling into the same old habits. Thoughts of the future can open up possibilities, but they are only possibilities and not actualities. And, at what point do these possibilities lead you into unnecessary worry – about mere possibilities!

The past is a memory,
The future a mere thought.
Only in the here and now are we alive.

(From 'Greetings from cool, green Wat Buddha Dhamma' in Tiradhammo's Ramblings, the blog written by Ajahn. Full text:
https://tiradhammo.blogspot.com/…/april2020-greetingsfrom-c…)

For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Tiradhammo, please visit the Forest Sangha site:
https://forestsangha.org/teach…/…/speakers/ajahn-thiradhammo

Photograph: 'Down Kiem' by Mark Rutkowski