Linear vs. Timeless Views

A Comparison of Two Perspectives

The following two perspectives, in the second and third columns, do not mix--at any time only one perspective occurs. We are constantly choosing between perspectives and determining which is more likely to show up in the future. Our current work capacity is largely determined by such choices made in the past.

Names for perspective 'Normal experience, or linear time, or first level Peak experience, the 'zone', or third level

Sense of
clock time Clock time is independent of perspective for all practical purposes

Felt extension of time Time is linear, extending continuously from past to present to future; we experience time duration, how long things last Time is not felt to extend or be linear; there's timelessness, no felt duration

Flow of time Time is a series of transactions felt to pass or flow constantly and continuously There's an abiding presence amidst movement, no experienced flow, though physical and mental events still happen

Health and well-being
Typical feelings centered around self: lack of control, helplessness, pressure, anxiety, fear of death, overwhelm, hurried, time poverty, boredom, frustration

Dissatisfaction; seeking by separate self because of a sense of something lacking

None of feelings at first level: there may be physical or mental effort without experienced stress or lack of control

Fulfillment, sense of well-being and wholeness; self is absorbed, engrossed in what's at hand.

Planning
Somewhat determined by past emotional influences; creativity is limited by cause-effect perceptions.

Seeking, trying to get there, which is 'away from here'; dissatisfied

Thinking about distant future sets up dissatisfaction, pressure, or anxiety

Planning is very spontaneous and undetermined.

Being here with awareness of future goal; naturally satisfied

The future doesn't seem distant and planning doesn't set up negative feeling

Creativity Somewhat habitual thinking and behavior tied to past and future; pervasive perception of cause-effect relations. A sense of complete spontaneity and comprehensive creativity; energies not structured into events and cause and effect relations.

Productivity
Work is affected by time's scattering into moment after moment and past-present-future; effort is required by self, which takes positions apart from activity

Limited by adoption of positions based on conditioning

Peak productivity, effortless performance without a doer; multiple 'events' are experienced and done simultaneously

Unlimited: limits are quickly or immediately seen through

Estimation
of temporal duration
Perception of identical, limited-capacity time slots extending into past and future

Based on past, limited productivity

Time is seen as variable, not fixed or limited whatsoever

Past not projected into estimations

Sense of reality Objective reality is felt to be separate from subjective reality Although objective can be distinguished from subjective for practical communication, there's no felt separation

To transform the linear sense of time flowing, see How Our Sense of Time Flow is Created.

[ 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

Names for perspective	'Normal experience, or linear time, or first level	Peak experience, the 'zone', or third level
Sense of clock time	Clock time is independent of perspective for all practical purposes
Felt extension of time	Time is linear, extending continuously from past to present to future; we experience time duration, how long things last	Time is not felt to extend or be linear; there's timelessness, no felt duration
Flow of time	Time is a series of transactions felt to pass or flow constantly and continuously	There's an abiding presence amidst movement, no experienced flow, though physical and mental events still happen
Health and well-being	Typical feelings centered around self: lack of control, helplessness, pressure, anxiety, fear of death, overwhelm, hurried, time poverty, boredom, frustration Dissatisfaction; seeking by separate self because of a sense of something lacking	None of feelings at first level: there may be physical or mental effort without experienced stress or lack of control Fulfillment, sense of well-being and wholeness; self is absorbed, engrossed in what's at hand.
Planning	Somewhat determined by past emotional influences; creativity is limited by cause-effect perceptions. Seeking, trying to get there, which is 'away from here'; dissatisfied Thinking about distant future sets up dissatisfaction, pressure, or anxiety	Planning is very spontaneous and undetermined. Being here with awareness of future goal; naturally satisfied The future doesn't seem distant and planning doesn't set up negative feeling
Creativity	Somewhat habitual thinking and behavior tied to past and future; pervasive perception of cause-effect relations.	A sense of complete spontaneity and comprehensive creativity; energies not structured into events and cause and effect relations.
Productivity	Work is affected by time's scattering into moment after moment and past-present-future; effort is required by self, which takes positions apart from activity Limited by adoption of positions based on conditioning	Peak productivity, effortless performance without a doer; multiple 'events' are experienced and done simultaneously Unlimited: limits are quickly or immediately seen through
Estimation of temporal duration	Perception of identical, limited-capacity time slots extending into past and future Based on past, limited productivity	Time is seen as variable, not fixed or limited whatsoever Past not projected into estimations
Sense of reality	Objective reality is felt to be separate from subjective reality	Although objective can be distinguished from subjective for practical communication, there's no felt separation