On its outer surface time is vulnerable to transience. Regardless of its sadness or beauty, each day empties and vanishes. In its deeper heart, time is transfiguration. Time minds possibility and makes sure that nothing is lost or forgotten. That which seems to pass away on the surface of time is in fact transfigured and housed in the tabernacle of memory.
In his work "Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom," John O'Donohue reflects on the dual nature of time. On the surface, time appears fragile and fleeting, characterized by the daily cycle of experiences that come and go, evoking both sadness and beauty as moments gradually dissipate from our perception. Each day, with its joys and sorrows, ultimately disappears, highlighting the ephemeral nature of existence.
However, O'Donohue suggests that beneath this transience lies a deeper essence of time as transformation. Time nurtures possibilities and ensures that nothing is truly lost; rather, it is transfigured and preserved within our memories. Thus, what may seem to fade from our lives is instead stored in a sacred space of recollection, allowing us to hold on to the essence of our experiences even as their external forms vanish.
