Lydia,

I have been wondering the same thing.  I hope some here have the answer.

Eileen

Hi Ladies-

Time, as we experience it, is related to some kind of familiar yardstick, such as the rate of a clock pendulum, the motion of the planet, the falling of a grain of sand etc. In other words, our concept of time is a construct. In the "spirit world" we neither have the material reference, nor the construct. Instead, we can create a clock that runs at any speed, or whatever else we desire, because, in the end, we are each a particle of God, and have infinite creative ability.

The actual natureof time, however, is the separation between the start and end of an event. In that sense, events have starting and ending points, so they have their own "proper time". In physics, the granularity of time in our everyday 3-space is based on the smallest possible size, called a Planck interval, and is about 10^-44 seconds long. (That's one divided by ten followed by 43 more zeros.)

A study of dimensional analysis applied to creativity  (this is a topic that Bud might be interested in) suggests that we can evolve any desired sequence of abstract time-like relationships if we are in an environment without other limitations (in math that's an unordered Riemannina manifold) and these do not necessarily have to agree with one another. Einstein demonstrated in Special Relativity that time slows as an object speeds up (with respect to the point of origin) and it has actually been shone that people who fly lose a few millionths of a second after a few years, as compared to people at home.  Similarly, you age slightly faster in  tall building, due to gravitation's effect on time. In the "spirit world" all these changes are still relatively possible, but in addition, they may occur in different dimensional "directions" as the spirit wanders about through numerous dimensions, all at the same instant, but at different rates.

That's the long answer. The short answer is that time as we know it only occurs in the world as we know it, so to say "time doesn't exist for spirits" is true in that sense.

d

Our physical perception of time is governed by the rate at which the earth revolves around the sun.

Mental perception of time is quite different and is largely determined by ourselves - e.g an hour of severe pain (or pleasure) stretches or shrinks 'time'accordingly.

Our vibrations are so much faster in the afterlife, therefore our perceptions change to suit.

We are no longer governed by earthly restrictions, but by the vibration of where we now live. It seems there is neither day or night or seasons, all of which largely influence our present concept of time.

I like what Dave said about events having a beginning and an end.  I want to take it one step further.  Time exists in some form as long as we cling to our individuality and our ego.  We will, if conscious in the afterlife set out tasks to accomplish, and although they may not be governed by earth time, our consciousness creates our entire reality, writing on the great template of the all there is (god-spark, essence).  I do believe that time even for ego-driven spirits is not at all the same as it is on the earth plane.  However, I believe as long as there are tasks and direction, there will be a beginning and end to each exploration - hence a sense of time.

My theory then would be that the closer we are in form in the afterlife to our stubborn individuality, the more time has an impact.  The higher a soul ascends and appreciates their unity with all things, the more time is irrelevant.  At some higher evolution of spirit, I believe we can appreciate time as what I have heard called an "everpresent," where past, present and future all are occuring simultaneously.  To perceive this, is to be in close contact to the unity to which higher evolved souls strive. 

As to Spitfire's comments - I agree in part, in that the ego-driven consciousness will change its perception of time, depending on the situation.  Einstein himself pointed out that time is relative to the perceiver.

I do think Lydia's initial question is important in a few ways.  If our consciousness operates under different rules of time after death, of course communication is much more difficult.    However, physical aging is not an issue when you are outside of the physical world.......

Matthew

Where there is change, there is a perception of time. Things happen in the Afterlife so there is time there, correct me at any point if I'm wrong.

But because C1 is so interactive (one of the reasons we are here) time here is more apparent and more consistant in our perception to the point where we can have a collective perception of it, hence our clocks to measure that.

If we borrow (loosely) from Quantum Mechanics, then the observer affects time. There is no objectivity. But since in C1 most if us are here with similiar limitations we experience time about the same way, with certain exceptions. But in the Afterlife our limitations are much more varied, and so an individual's experience of time varies considerably.

OK. That's my little crack at it. If I'm full of it, then feel free to let me know.

Bob

Lydia,

Yes, I think that to us it is a long time of course, but there is good in that too.  There is time for growth in that.  What good would this physical life be to us without time? 

Our loved ones in the afterlife don't experience time exactly the same way as here in the physical.   Also, our spirits in the afterlife can be in more than one place at a time.  We can be split off in several places at the same moment.  (Actually, I believe we do that here in the physical too but it is not consciously remembered and I kind of think our higher selves are more in control of that sort of thing.  It's very confusing so I don't have concrete answers). 

What I think is, from the aspect of our higher self, meaning our highest spiritual aspect, I don't think we experience time the same as we do here in the physical. 

Matthew,

I like what you've said.  I understand it and I agree.  I was trying to figure out how to say it, and would have said it differently, but you nailed it nonetheless.  Thanks. 

Love,
Vicky

Lydia,

     First I'd like to say personally that I feel for your loss.  Although if there is a continuation of consciousness and spirit, it is not a true end or a loss.  That is where both personal experience/exploration and faith come in....


     Next, I'd like to say that my own feeling is that the sense of time and waiting to join a loved one must be more difficult for those living in our reality because we just don't truly know what happens after death (unless we explore like those of us in this website).  For the "departed," if their consciousness is what many have described, they are aware of our actions in general, but we are not usually aware of them on a conscious level.  It must be frustrating for them, but they also have their own conscious activities that are now changed for whatever the laws are when one has passed.

     The greatest difference now between you and him, is that he has experienced consciousness on this plane and the next.  You have not (all discussions of past lives aside).  We all naturally wonder - will  I reunite with my loved one?  Will he/she remember me?  Will too much time go by for one of us?  I am reminded of Eric Clapton's song Tears from Heaven, (which he wrote for his infant son who jumped out of a skyscraper window):

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?

I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?

I'll find my way
Through night and day,
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven.

Time can bring you down,
Time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart,
Have you begging please, begging please.

Beyond the door,
There's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven.

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?

I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.

I believe if there is love between two people, the doubts about meeting again will melt away.  I also think we may contact those who have passed on in certain states of meditation and/or grace.

Peace to you,

Matthew