Quest for Presence: Re-Imagine Time for Well-Being

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p1cRl8nlEJcIn this episode, I am joined by Robert Wilkinson (Astrologer and metaphysical wizard--check out https://substack.com/@aquariuspapers). We explore the tension between the temporal world we inherit and the eternal pattern underlying all existence. We look at consciousness across scales, galaxies, planets, and human life, and how universal forces shape everything. Our focus is the contrast between the vast, timeless patterns and the narrow, conditioned reality of the local mind.The local mind is shaped by culture, family, and again, daily routines. Drawing on Buddhist insights, we discuss how the mind divides while the heart perceives meaning directly. That's the key.The mind divides while the heart perceives meaning directly. Ultimately, we invite you to notice when you're caught in the temporal matrix and reconnect with the eternal field of consciousness. Sit back, sit back, relax, and enjoy.ReferencesRing-Pass-Knot (see https://theosophy.world/encyclopedia/ring-pass-not).  represents the absolute limit of a being's spiritual awareness or evolution. It acts as an invisible barrier of consciousness that expands outward as an individual or soul spiritually grows and sheds their ignorance.Visit us at www.presencequest.life

VIDEO FOR THIS EPISODE (https://youtu.be/D2UjKxngh6Y)"Time is mutable and can take many forms""Our culture is spinning out of balance""Losing oneself is part of the journey"In this first episode of Season 2, Joel Bennett and Guest Dr. Roger Jahnke explore the profound nature of time and its relationship to life, consciousness, and well-being. Drawing from philosophy, science, and personal insights, they encourage a deeper understanding of time as a living resource that can be redefined to enhance health and presence.MAKE SURE TO WATCH THE QfP Mandala (Preview to Season 2)https://youtu.be/9t2aUdt15Q0 SECTIONS00:00 to 2:08 -- Overview of Episode2:08 to 3:02 -- Dr. Roger Jahnke Excerpt3:02 to 6:27 -- Beach Musings on Being Alive6:27 to 10:07 -- Dr. Jahnke Meditations on Nature and Time10:07 - Bridge10:40 to 14:19 -- Dr. Jahnke continues14:19 to 18:05 -- Purpose of QfP Journey/This Podcast18:05 to end -- An Ode to Losing OneselfPARTIAL TRANSCRIPT BELOWWelcome to Season Two of the Quest for Presence podcast, our budding season. I prefer to call it more like a budcast, like an ever-unfolding, like a new flower. This season shifts from the conversational format of season one to a living montage of guest speakers, contemplations, guided meditations, research spotlights, and readings from the Quest for Presence collection.In this first episode, we begin with Dr. Roger Jahnke, my Qigong teacher, doctor of Chinese medicine, author of The Healer Within, and writer of The Forward to the Connoisseur of Time. From there, we move to my beach musings on deep time, weaving back and forth with Roger, and closing with a reading from Book Two, The Soulful Capacities, An Ode to Losing One's Self. Speaking of which, why this work matters comes down to a few essentials. First,Time pressure is now the most common workplace stressor in national surveys. Second, a major meta-analysis shows that time management strongly predicts life satisfaction. Season two is an invitation to explore these truths together through rhythm.I talk a lot about the four radiant forces, time-shaping, cause and effect, form, gravity, nurturing conditions, dependent origination, and chaos (or entropy). Well, all four of those are what make us alive. This was an insight that I got from reading Antonio de Masio's book, Feeling and Knowing.And in that book, he pretty much argues that homeostasis, which is the basis of all life, the self-regulating nature of life, is the basis of consciousness. So what that means is that when we're conscious of the fact that we're self-regulating, which occurs in time, it's unfolding in time, it's happening, and it is in fact the definition of what is happening, that means we are not only embracing time, we're also embracing the fact that we're alive. So for example, nothing that's alive doesn't act. And we have to act, we have to move. What are we acting on? We're acting to create form. We're acting to create some stability. Why are we acting to create some stability? Because there's change, there's interruption, there's perturbation, there's chaos.And in doing that, what are we doing? We're actually growing. We're creating forms in response to chaos to grow. That's so simple. That's deep time. Visit us at www.presencequest.life

**WATCH THE FULL VIDEO OF THIS EPISODE HERE**https://youtu.be/9t2aUdt15Q0**WATCH THE FULL VIDEO OF THIS EPISODE HERE**Welcome to Season 2 of the Quest for Presence podcast—a multidimensional journey into the heart of time itself. This season, we spiral through the layers of past, present, and future using a rich tapestry of readings, interviews, music, video, poetry, and personal storytelling. Each episode is a portal, aligned with the Quest for Presence book collection, inviting you to explore how time shapes our consciousness, our choices, and our capacity to thrive.We begin at the center—the swirling mandala—where presence is born. From there, the season unfolds like a living mosaic, revealing the whole time of our lives: the patterns we inherit, the rhythms we craft, and the futures we dare to imagine.#presence #timeweaving #tempognosis #mandala #attractionVisit us at www.presencequest.life

Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Building upon previous “Connoisseur of Time” podcasts, this and the last episode supports listeners in completing the “Listening” exercise (pages 19-23). This is the first of dozens of contemplative exercises in the Quest for Presence collection. “Listening” sets the stage for everything else to come. So, listeners are encouraged to download the free e-book and review the brief “Listen” chapter (pages 19-23).This episode features both Kristie and Ronnie sharing their experiences of Art working through the exercise and their own experiences. Most importantly, we learn an amazing range of experiences regarding one’s attitude toward time.Ronnie (Practitioner) talks about setting a boundary to create more time and the need to be more effective in managing time (Self-accountability). Kristie (Seeker) talks about her soul work, which has led her to be much more in the moment than previously in her life. At the same time, there is some anxiety. “Presence gets scary, so it is easy to be busy.”Please visit our website at www.presencequest.life.Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Why is that people don’t think about time other than clock-time? In this second part of Waking Up to the Map, we explore different answers, including time compression, addiction, ego (Edging God Out), resistance, and believing that the phrase “time is money” is anything more than a metaphor. We also prepare to read the first part of “The Connoisseur of Time: An Invitation to Presence” (or ‘CoT’ by Joel Bennett).  Our hosts – Joel, Art, Kristie, and Ronnie – each contribute to a way out of this blind adherence to clock-time. We talk about: (1) embracing the fact that life is messy; chaos is real; (2) realizing that the present is just that – a gift!; (3) thinking about time as multi-dimensional and that we don’t have to stay in one dimension; (4) going with the flow; (5) being more mindful of how we use the word time (and “busy”); and more.This episode refers to the book Full Catastrophe Living (by John Kabat-Zinn), the Buddhist Noble Truth that “all is suffering,” the idea of non-resistance from Taoism, and the work of the C.S. Lewis who had his own theology of time. (#addiction, #takeyourtime, #timecompression, #chaos, #acceptance).Visit us at www.presencequest.life

Please visit us on PatreonA unique treasure map might lead us to a healthier relationship with time. We contemplate this map together in this podcast series. Clock-time is only one view of time. If we do not know about other views, we limit our more profound experience of life in both our private and public worlds. In this episode, we first talk about the negative impact of time pressure on our health, environment, and society. But the treasure map provides a bigger picture of healthy time and deep time, and includes spirituality, ancient wisdom, science, intimacy, and preciousness as well as many other treasures of this happening life. Four explorers or “time weavers” draw wisdom for this vast literature and describe their own approach to this map, based on the book “The Connoisseur of Time: An Invitation to Presence” (or ‘CoT’ by Joel Bennett). Kristie Ellison focuses on the importance of waking up to embrace and flourish from the here and now. Art Wimberly brings many years of experience as a spiritual coach and person in recovery and working with the Enneagram. Ronnie Gatrey brings us back to the treasures through his own experience of his day. Joel Bennett, the author, brings his experience to create a community of time-weavers, including you.Waking up to the map is an invitation. This quest for presence is an invitation. In this episode you are invited to just get a sense of the big picture. To take a peek. Our approach to time is interdisciplinary and experiential. You are invited to your own presence.This episode – as many others -- also refers to insights from diverse areas of our culture and literature. Here we refer to modern music (Pharrell Williams), the Old Testament, Spirituality & Health Magazine, and the new book Waking up to the Dark (by Clark Strand), (#clarity, #siezetheday, #clutch, #spontaneity, #genius).Visit us at www.presencequest.life