Past is Mother, Future is Father, Child is Now: The Meaning of Time
Time is one of the most fundamental concepts that give meaning to human life. Past, present and future shape a person’s experiences, dreams and life journey. However, these three concepts have a deep symbolic meaning: the past can be thought of as the mother, the future as the father and the present as the child . This metaphor provides a guide to understanding the cycle of time and how a person finds their place in life.
The past, like a mother, represents our roots and foundation. The mother is the source of life and the first guide; the past, in the same way, allows us to understand who we are and where we come from. The past is the sum of the experiences, learnings and experiences that brought us to the present.
Just as a mother nurtures her child with her love and teachings, our past nurtures our present. However, staying stuck in the past, like a child constantly dependent on a mother, can prevent us from growing and moving forward. Living by learning from the past but not clinging to it, is the first step to establishing a healthy relationship with time.
The future, like a father, guides and directs us forward. The father figure is a symbol of discipline, goals, and progress. The future, likewise, is a place where our dreams, plans, and potential lie.
Like a father figure, the future motivates and encourages us. But too much focus on the future can prevent us from living in the present. The future, like a father, provides a vision for moving forward, but for that vision to come true, it is essential to focus on the present.
The present, like a child, represents innocence and pure existence. The child does not carry the effects of the past or the anxieties of the future; his existence is entirely in the present. The present is a bridge between the foundations of the past and the goals of the future.
Like the child, the present moment is a realm of pure potential. The only reality in which life is truly lived, felt, and experienced, is the present. The lessons of the past and the dreams of the future determine the kind of life we create in the present. Just as the child grows in the love of a mother and father, the present is shaped by the wisdom of the past and the vision of the future.
These three aspects of time create a balance in our lives. We should love the past like a mother, embrace its lessons, but not be dependent on it. We should take the future seriously like a father, shape our plans and dreams with it, but not get lost in the worries of the future. And most importantly, we should focus on the present, the child. Now is the only time when all our potential, love, and power can manifest.
Understanding the past, planning for the future, and focusing on the present means following the natural flow of life. Just as a family is in harmony with one another, these three aspects of time must be lived in harmony with one another. If we can free ourselves from the burdens of the past and abandon the anxieties of the future, we can fully arrive at the present. And at that very moment, we can be pure, innocent, and free like a child. Because life is truly lived only in the present.