The Construction of Time

The pattern of experiencing linear time described on the previous page is very common; however, felt time is different in different cultures. Anthropologist Edward T. Hall says "each culture has its own time frames in which the patterns are unique." (p. 4, The Dance of Life) To the Navajo, the future is uncertain and unreal; a Navajo is often neither interested in nor motivated by 'future' rewards. (p. 28) Hopis often have no timetables or schedules in their heads for ordinary built objects such as houses. Northern Europeans tend to do one thing at a time. Mediterranean cultures stress involvement of people and completion of transactions rather than adherence to preset schedules; appointments are not taken seriously. "In the West . . . time is an outside force helping us to organize our lives. In the East, time springs from the self and is not imposed." (p. 91)

So felt time depends on the culture. But it also depends on individual learning within a culture. As infants we have no sense of time flowing. In the West the sense of linear time is developed gradually, and is fully developed by about the age of seven.

Still, adults in the West can vary widely in how they experience time. Instead of linear time, enlightened individuals apparently are aware of event time and measured time, yet have somehow learned to find a sense of stillness within all activities. For example, "Time is neither linear nor sequential; in fact, there are neither moments nor successive movement, and thus no succession." (p. 136, Time, Space, and Knowledge, by Tarthang Tulku)

[ Presentations | Consulting Services | The Optimal Work Vision | Endorsements | Readings| Founder | Mailing List | Time Management Guide | Home ]

RESULTS IN NO TIME

send email; phone & fax: 510-303-1035