Both life and death manifest in every moment of existence. Our human body appears and disappears moment by moment, without cease, and this ceaseless arising and passing away is what we experience as time and being. They are not separate. They are one thing, and in even a fraction of a second, we have the opportunity to choose, and to turn the course of our action either toward the attainment of truth or away from it. Each instant is utterly critical to the whole world.
In "A Tale for the Time Being," Ruth Ozeki reflects on the interconnectedness of life and death, suggesting that they manifest simultaneously within each moment. The human experience is characterized by a constant cycle of coming into being and fading away, which shapes our perception of time. This duality emphasizes that life and death are not distinct entities, but rather parts of a singular reality that unfolds moment by moment.
Ozeki highlights the importance of each fleeting instant, stressing that every moment presents a vital choice. We have the capacity to direct our actions toward understanding deeper truths or to stray from them. This idea underscores the significance of our decisions, as each choice can have profound implications not just for ourselves, but for the world at large.
