The “primary consciousness,” the basic mind which knows
reality rather than ideas about it, does not know the future. It lives
completely in the present, and perceives nothing more than what is at this
moment. The ingenious brain, however, looks at that part of present experience
called memory, and by studying it is able to make predictions. These
predictions are, relatively, so accurate and reliable (e.g., “everyone will
die”) that the future assumes a high degree of reality — so high that the
present loses its value.
But the future is still not here, and cannot become a
part of experienced reality until it is present. Since what we know of the
future is made up of purely abstract and logical elements — inferences,
guesses, deductions — it cannot be eaten, felt, smelled, seen, heard, or
otherwise enjoyed. To pursue it is to pursue a constantly retreating phantom,
and the faster you chase it, the faster it runs ahead. This is why all the
affairs of civilization are rushed, why hardly anyone enjoys what he has, and
is forever seeking more and more. Happiness, then, will consist, not of solid
and substantial realities, but of such abstract and superficial things as
promises, hopes, and assurances....
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