This human existence is invaluable because we are endowed with the opportunity not only to pursue material goals, but more importantly, to cultivate our spiritual development.
At the end of our life, the body will die and return to the earth. Our consciousness (others may use terms such as mind, awareness, spirit, or soul), however, will continue in another realm — together with the karma we have generated in life. Our status in the next life will be based on our virtuous or non-virtuous actions in this life. The universal cosmic law of cause and effect — the law of compensation — continues. Some will experience great good fortune and happiness; others will suffer painful misfortune and suffering for a period of time.
In life, therefore, we have the opportunity to accomplish something meaningful, rather than spending all of our time and energy pursuing the temporary, passing pleasures of this life.
To have this precious opportunity of time and not use it wisely represents a great loss. We can use this precious human life to develop our human potential and bring great benefit and happiness to countless living beings.
We should contemplate and reflect deeply on the preciousness of time, which should never be taken for granted or squandered. Also, think about those who are not gifted with conditions conducive to their spiritual development (such as living in a war zone, or suffering through a great famine) — and reflect with compassion on those who spend all of their time and energy on trivial, worldly pursuits, or are destroying their opportunity for spiritual development by harming others.
Allow your contemplation to inspire within you the compassionate wish to wisely use your time for the greatest benefit of all living beings — both now and in the future. (Source: Based on Heart of Dharma Collection, found at https://sourcepointglobaloutreach.org/)
In relation to the preciousness of time, we must contemplate the fact that death is inevitable. At some time, death will come to each of us. Death is the inevitable result of birth, the natural display of impermanence. With each passing moment we are closer to our death. We will have to leave our body eventually, and death will come regardless of whether we have made time to pursue higher values and a spiritual path.
Death is certain. The time of our death is uncertain — we do not know when death will occur. Each day we encounter numerous dangers that could cause death at any moment. At the time of death, our wealth, possessions, and even our most cherished friends will not be able to help us. Money cannot buy us more time nor will it buy us happiness or peace. Our friends can offer their love and support, yet they cannot hold us back from death.
Our body, no longer able to support us, will be of no assistance at the time of death. Only the wisdom we have developed by pursuing higher values will remain with us continually. Nothing but our inner spiritual wealth, can be of benefit to us at the time of death.
By understanding impermanence and death we realize the preciousness of time and we can choose to embrace what is truly of value. We will wisely discern how we spend our valuable time and energy and will make a determined effort to live an ethical lifestyle, cultivate virtue, and serve the welfare of all living beings. (Source: Based on Heart of Dharma Collection found at https://sourcepointglobaloutreach.org/)
In summary, we must remain conscious of the preciousness of time and make the best use of it. And for seniors, such as ourselves, this is even more critical – because we simply do not have many years left. Soberly, it could be fewer than we think, because the end of life can come unexpectedly and quickly.
Our experience of the distressing financial scam reinforced our need to continually be aware of the preciousness of time. As a result, we formulated three aspirations, in the form of three questions, to always bear in mind and ask often:
- Is this the best use of my/our precious time?
- Is this task/activity necessary or needed to do and pursue?
- Am I wasting my precious time on what is trivia and an unprofitable pursuit?
These three questions are useful when receiving door salespeople, marketing phone calls, unsolicited emails, and sales presentation stands in shopping malls. One has to politely and courteously, yet firmly, resist having one’s precious time swallowed up by unnecessary marketers and the ensuing conversation. This advice would have served us well when we were first approached by the scammer over the phone – alas, but it is never too late to learn (even if it is the school of hard knocks)!
Finally, the Sacred Word uses words that are apropos for guarding one’s precious time: “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16, NKJV)
Alexander and Eva Peck