Note. You will get the most from this episode if you download the free e-book “The Connoisseur of Time” and complete the “Listening” self-assessment. It takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Part 1: Outward Time (Clock-Time)
I (Joel) set the stage by talking about recent data on how people use time. On average--in a life of 70 years, people spend 26 years sleeping, 19 years at work, 12 years watching TV, and 1 year socializing with others. This view of time is ultimately not skillful. We must “squeeze things in,” “finish our bucket-list,” “keep moving,” and even “chase the dragon” (a metaphor for the pursuit of the ultimate high, traditionally in the usage of some drug or addictive habit).
Part 2: Deep Time (Interview with Art Wimberly)
Like so many of us, Art talks about his struggle to slow down, stop, and just have peace and calm. This, instead of always having to stay active and busy. The exercise revealed insights, which are best understood by listening.
Three things stand out for this interview. First, Art references the darker side ofEcclesiastes, sort of in response to his first chosen “common tendency” statement in the Listening exercise “We are all going to die anyway, why bother setting aside time?” On the surface, Ecclesiastes paints life as meaningless, time reigns over us, everyone is only in pursuit of vanity, and that knowledge is limited. But, from the inner perspective, scholars (e.g., read Breaking the Idols of Your Heart, also Gibson) interpret Ecclesiastes as a call to pay close attention to the limited time we have in life, cultivate wisdom for the rhythms of life, and find delight in such wisdom.
Second, we talk about the double meaning of Sobriety—as in recovery from addiction (not drunk) and also as a virtue to not always have to have more, to keep chasing after things, and to be content with one’s situation. The etymology of sobersuggests it was considered a virtue: "moderate in desires or actions, habitually temperate, restrained," also "calm, quiet, not overcome by emotion." Indeed, one of Art’s “threshold” statements is “My life is one unfolding project of pattern and meaning.” Contemplating this statement brings him peace and calm. This move—from chasing after outward time to settling in to deep time—is the move from meaningless to meaning.
Third, I bring up the idea that testosterone may behind the need to keep moving and doing and staying busy, especially for males. Research suggests testosterone levels are associated with status orientation and status-seeking behaviors, but the relationship is not strong and may be true for both men and women. Still, there is something that drives us; whether it is adrenaline, testosterone, or other chemical is less important than having deepening awareness of the drive. Again, this is the move from being an addict to a connoisseur.
Note. The song interlude in this episode is from “Time Out of Mind” by Steely Dan. The lyrics can be interpreted in many ways. It is used here as an homage to anyone who is in recovery from addiction to a life of joy (perfection and grace). How to simply have time not labored by the shenanigans of the mind (“Children, we have it right here”).
#ecclesiastes #threshold #recovery #joy #peace #clocktime