Dispelling the 'Ghosts' of the Past and riding the 'Waves' of Time

 

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” – Kungfu Panda

“Don’t let the past blackmail your future, to ruin a beautiful present.”- Dear Zindagi

 

Most ideas revolving around the concept of the past appear to reinforce and reiterate a single idea; the past isn’t something that should be dragged or clung onto. This, however does beget a simple yet seemingly unresolvable question – if the past is meant to be left behind, why does it continue to resurface?

Individuals who have been approached with the topic of the past, even when engaged in casual conversations often remark about the frustrating effects of its resurgence. The waves of the past have spared none in its resurgence, dousing even the most peaceful, calm, and detached individuals, who would often find themselves confronting what is commonly dubbed as the ‘ghosts of their past’. These ‘ghosts’ as we know tend to vary depending on the individual, with no age limit when it comes to its impact, thus contributing to its universality.

Once we have gauged an understanding of the nature of the past, as well as its universality, we can approach the million-dollar question through an examination of certain integral concepts such as time, and come up with some intriguing theories that would at least convey some semblance of closure, or at the very least, attempt to seal certain loopholes.

Time is an integral element of the past, and previously before the works of contemporary psychologists and philosophers such as Sigmund Freud, the concept of time was believed to be eternal and absolute. Time previously referred to what was measured by external clocks and calendars, and what is termed as chronological time. As put forward by Henry Bergson, chronological time can be measured by external sources and perspectives, and thus flows uniformly for each individual.

The notion of psychological time, as the other perspective observed by Bergson, is a vital and underrated aspect, which emerged as a popular concept in the 20^th century. Unlike chronological time, the instrument of measurement when it comes to psychological time revolves around human states of consciousness, which cannot be measured by material objects. Psychological time, also known as ‘duree’, is something that is experienced within and thus does not flow uniformly. This highlights ‘duree’ as a notion brimming with fluidity, which in turn varies according to each individual’s mind, and the way they perceive their internal state of consciousness.

Through an application of Bergson’s perspectives regarding time, it becomes increasingly evident that the concept of time consists of two facets. Each portrays a different aspect of the above concept, which in turn plays a significant role in the resurgence of one’s past. The fluidity of psychological time and the lag between the two facets could thus be perceived as a plausible explanation for the reappearance of the past.

An individual with exposure to some kind of traumatic event, for instance, would inevitably suffer the psychological repercussions that accompany it. This would ultimately lead to a heightened form of anxiety, as the individual is constantly faced with triggers that remind them of the transpired incident, thus creating a lag between ‘duree’ and chronological time. The individual’s state of consciousness is not in line with chronological time, and the disparity created, impacts their quality of life, making them feel as if they are constantly battling the ‘ghosts ‘of their past.

This disparity between external and internal time, including its effects on people, could be compared with the effect created when one’s rational side of the brain is not in sync with its emotional side. When either side is completely discarded, an individual’s inner state of mind becomes severely compromised, resulting in a state of mind that one could label as a state of absurdity and severe instability. An overindulgence of emotion leads to delusion coupled with an insatiable desire to feel good at any cost. On the other hand, an overindulgence of rationality leads to chronic indifference, which in turn, impacts the individual’s ability to connect and empathize with others, which ultimately leads to a feeling of hopelessness and lack of purpose.

Resolution then lies in easing the disparity and sealing the lag created by the two facets of time, enabling the smooth functioning of the above two in coordination with each other, in order to restore the lost equilibrium. Like the rational and the emotional parts of the brain, ‘duree’ and chronological time must ideally be bound together in holy matrimony, in order to exorcise those ‘ghosts’ and reduce the potential of their resurgence.

However, the resolution itself poses numerous obstacles, as it violates certain fundamental principles of the human condition, such as the disillusionment surrounding the notion of self-control. Most of the external incidents that surround us tend to be the work of forces that are completely out of our control. External factors such as the weather, outcomes of relationships, the forces of nature to name a few, are entirely out of our mundane control, and attempts to control such factors are not only futile, but prove to be absurd as well.

The lack of control we have towards outside forces, are reflective of our hold over chronological time. While we may be held accountable for certain actions that perpetuate certain conditions ranging from small scale incidents such as relationships, and career prospects, to large scale events like war and daily inequities, those actions reflect what is perhaps only approximately two percent of the control we possess over external events. By now, it is apparent that individuals do not possess absolute control over external events, consequently leading to them being subject, to the conditions and proceedings, imposed and demanded by chronological time.

Our inner states of consciousness on the other hand, possibly provide more scope for self-control, as they revolve around the internal state of our mind, and how it perceives unfolded events. Theoretically, one would assume that in order to restore equilibrium, one would simply need to adjust their mindset and alter the manner in which they perceive events, to gain some form of self-control. After all, even renowned philosophers such as Socrates have declared that the root of all virtue lies in reason.

However, as stated previously when one attempts to rely on reason as the main solution, it results in indifference and a sense of hopelessness. Furthermore, the ability to simply alter your perspective based on external events caters to the illusion of self-control. Most often, individuals are aware of their actions, choices, and outcomes, yet they lack the willpower to do so. Will power comes from feeling, which requires emotion, thus proving that reason, logic and rationality cannot be frequently applied to alter one’s inner state, so that it suits their external circumstances. For instance, if a close family member passes away, we know that the logical solution lies in accepting their death, and moving on. We are also aware that death is inevitable, yet we are constantly grief-stricken when faced with the death of a loved one. Even manageable situations or so-called “first world problems” like relationship complications of dealing with being rejected by the one you love, does not ease the intensity of the pain caused, even though we are aware that the solution lies in not taking everything personally, and to forgive and move on. This goes on to show that although individuals are aware of the solution, they do not implement it because they don’t feel like doing so.

Society has ingrained the belief that in order to do something, one must simply want to do so, and muster enough courage to get there. A belief that altering our perspective is, as simple as deciding to do it and having the spirit to do so. This belief is quite damaging as it feeds into the illusion of self-control. Controlling one’s mind is as futile as attempting to control the sea and the intensity of its waves. It is not just unreasonable. It is impossible. Therefore, as self-control is an illusion, we cannot exert control over our inner state of consciousness, making us subject to the circumstances enforced by psychological time.

By now we have established that a plausible explanation for the resurgence of the past is due to the lag created when one’s psychological time does not tally with the forces of chronological time. Moreover, we have also explored the disillusionment involved in the concept of self-control, which portrayed the lack of control over the above two facets of time. It is apparent therefore that individuals are subject to the ravaging forces of time and are at the mercy of nature.

If, individuals have no control over external and internal influences, we could assume that individuals are not responsible for experiencing triggers, and cannot be held accountable for the lag created between chronological and psychological time. Furthermore, if individuals are at the mercy of the forces of time and nature, it begets a more concerning and uncomfortable question – can man truly be blamed for the recurrence of history, if there are other forces at work? If the ghosts of the past cannot be truly vanquished, can individuals be held accountable for the recurrence of the larger events at work?

All of this points to one crucial fact - the absence of self-control places individuals at the mercy of the forces of the environment and the universe. When we can’t control the ways of the universe, and human nature, we adapt and learn to accept the conditions of our being, instead of fighting against it. Similarly, when individuals learn to accept the fluidity of their states of consciousness, and understand its nature in relation to chronological time, they will understand that it is not ‘ghosts’ that need to be dispelled, but ‘waves’ of the past that need to be ridden.

At the start, the waves may overwhelm you, engulf you, knock you over, and perhaps even pull you under. But, we often forget that it would never kill us. Gradually, with patience and understanding, we would adapt and learn to gauge the intensity of the waves, and in doing so, surf the waves of the past until one day, the lag between the two facets of time simply cease to exist.

“To gain control, one must accept the fact that they have no control” – the hopeful pessimist