The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche argued that one can gauge a man’s relationship to time by the way he/she builds a sand castle.
The first man will proceed hesitatingly, intent on craft but meanwhile fretting about the inevitable return of the waves . . . then upset by his loss when they finally arrive.
The second man won’t even start building; why bother if the tide will only destroy it?
The third – the paragon of manhood in Nietzsche’s view – embraces the unavoidable and throws himself into the work regardless of outcome . . . joyful but not oblivious.
***
Dharma practice is challenging and requires determination.
Its workplace is the mind; our step-by-step progress gradual, sometimes frustratingly circular in nature.
We never know how far we might get before we run out of time, our ability to participate having diminished, or our life simply coming to its end.
Your being a reader of these short ‘Crumbs’ indicates a relationship with the Buddhist path, be it a simple curiosity, practical interest or active engagement.
Consider:
Which of Nietzsche’s “sand castle” time relationships most resembles the one you are cultivating with Dharma . . . and/or whatever else you consider to be most wholesome and important in your life?
Which relationship do you believe will best provide you with what you are seeking?
Are the answers to these two questions in sync with each other?
~Neither grief or a broken heart, or fear, precludes you from examining this.
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The Nietzsche references via “Why Time Flies” by Alan Burdick. Simon & Schuster, 2017
(Note: In his example, the philosopher uses “a man” as subject, obviously this applies equally to “a woman” as well.)