My journey into mindfulness has revealed a fascinating contrast between the rush of daily life and the expanded sense of time available when we are truly present. Like many, I often find myself caught in the whirlwind of obligations, where time feels compressed and fleeting. It’s as if being on autopilot speeds up the clock, disconnecting me from the richness of the present moment and propelling me into a future filled with to-dos.
However, experiences like a recent vacation, where I escaped routine and immersed myself in the tranquility of nature, have shown me a different reality. Time seemed to stretch out, becoming remarkably elastic. This expansion of time felt liberating, a stark contrast to the usual time-crunched feeling of everyday life. Returning home, the familiar tightness of time snapped back into place, prompting me to consider: what factors truly shape our perception of time, both internally and externally?
I began to notice patterns. When overwhelmed with commitments, my sense of time shrinks, often accompanied by a feeling of being rushed and anxious. Conversely, when I release myself from obligations and simply allow myself to be, time expands, often surprising me with how slowly it passes. Pleasurable activities make time fly, while anticipation for important events can make time drag. And in moments of deep focus, when I’m truly in flow, the awareness of time altogether dissolves.
This subjective experience is supported by research. The concept of “time affluence” describes the feeling of having ample time and not feeling hurried. Studies have shown that mindfulness practices can significantly enhance this sense of time affluence and overall well-being. For instance, research on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs indicates that participants experience greater time affluence compared to control groups (Schaupp & Geiger, 2021). Similarly, experienced meditators report feeling less time pressure, perceive time as slower, and judge past periods as having passed more slowly than non-meditators (Wittmann et al., 2015). Mindfulness reveals that our experience of time is not fixed but rather shaped by various internal and external factors. This malleability of experience extends beyond time. In a guided meditation on mindfulness of sound led by my friend Cathan, I experienced this directly. Focusing on a specific sound, I was able to lessen my perception of a sound I initially found unpleasant, demonstrating the power of mindful attention to alter our experience even without external changes. For those who believe in a fixed reality, these shifts in perception through mindfulness can feel transformative.
As I plan my next escape, perhaps even exploring the serene landscapes of the Midwest, I am mindful of this dynamic relationship with time. Travel itself can be an opportunity for a kind of personal retreat, a chance to step away from the everyday and allow time to expand. I anticipate that embracing a mindful approach during my travels will further enhance this expansion, allowing me to fully savor each moment. By cultivating mindfulness, even amidst the journey, we can become more attuned to when we are pulled away from the present moment by our thoughts and anxieties. Until then, I remain curious about my patterns and habits regarding time, especially as they relate to travel and exploration.
Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom. – Henepola Gunaratana
References
Schaupp, J & Geiger, S. (2021) Mindfulness as a path to fostering time affluence and well-being. Applied Psychology, 14:1, 96-214.
Wittmann, M., et. al. (2015). Subjective expansion of extended time-spans in experienced meditators. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1–9.
