Hacking time - Journal of a Time Traveling Therapist

As I sat on a beach in Thailand, sipping on the sweet fresh nectar of a coconut, the sun kissing my skin, I couldn’t help but wish that time would simply stand still.

I was mesmerized by the scents that filled the air during my time in Thailand. As I indulged in the local cuisine, I was captivated by the fragrances of lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilli, and coconut milk that filled my senses. The aroma of jasmine rice was ever-present, adding a delicate and floral scent to the air. In addition to the culinary delights, I was also enchanted by the scents of incense burning in Buddhist temples, filling the air with a calming and spiritual fragrance. And as I walked through lush gardens, I was greeted by the sweet and intoxicating fragrances of tropical flowers such as orchids, plumeria, and frangipani. With each breath, I was transported to a new world where the aromas were as vibrant and diverse as the culture itself.

And yet, in the back of my mind, I couldn’t escape the nagging knowledge that this blissful existence was but a temporary reprieve from the realities of my daily life. The looming return to the nine-to-five grind threatened to shatter the peace that I found in this tropical oasis of smiles.

But rather than allowing this knowledge to dampen my spirits, I was determined to capture any nagging thoughts and make the most of every moment that I had in this paradise while the sands of time trickled from the hourglass. I revelled in the tastes of the local cuisine - papaya salad, sticky mango and rice - the textures of the sand and the warm ocean, the exhilaration of riding the high hills on a motorbike to observe the pleasing views, and getting lost in every road or valley that led to new adventures. My hippocampal neurons fired off in specific patterns to encode and store memories, like the taste of galanga and the heat of red chilli flakes. In fact, my inner hippo was delighting itself in the full moon festival.

In those fourteen days, I sought to maximize my experiences, soak up every detail and nuance of this incredible environment, and determined to carry the memories of this trip with me to sustain me in the days ahead. I wanted to imprint upon my soul the memory of everlasting bliss.

For now, I will simply close my eyes, breathe in the fresh sea air, and allow myself to be fully present in this moment of pure contentment. To relive that moment and imagine the feeling as if I am there right now.

As I sit here in the midst of this serene setting, the thought occurs to me: is there a way to freeze time, to hack time itself and truly live in the moment? To be present, fully and completely, without the burden of past or future weighing us down?

It's a tantalizing idea and one that has captivated thinkers and dreamers throughout the ages. After all, time is perhaps the most precious resource we possess, and yet it seems to slip through our fingers all too easily. We race from one obligation to the next, constantly striving for more, always pushing ourselves to be better, faster, stronger.

But what if we could simply stop time in its tracks? What if we could tap into some deeper, hidden dimension of reality that allowed us to live fully and completely in the present moment, unencumbered by the pressures of the past or the uncertainties of the future?

Perhaps it's not such a far-fetched idea after all. As I reflect on my own experiences, I realize that there have been moments in my life when time seemed to slow down, when every detail of my surroundings was heightened and intensified, and when I felt a deep sense of connection with the world around me.

These moments were fleeting, but they left an indelible impression on my soul. And now, as I contemplate the idea of hacking time itself, I can't help but wonder: is it possible to cultivate more of these moments in our lives? To intentionally create the conditions that allow us to truly live in the moment, to savour each experience, and to feel a sense of peace that transcends time itself?

In the articles that follow, I began to explore this idea in greater depth. I will share my own personal journey towards living in the present moment and offer practical strategies for hacking time and experiencing greater peace and fulfilment in our lives.

It's a tall order, to be sure, but one that I believe is well worth the effort. For if we can truly learn to live in the moment, then perhaps we can tap into a deeper, more meaningful dimension of existence that is truly beyond time itself.

Time is a complex and often mysterious concept that has captivated human beings for centuries. It can feel like it flies by in an instant or drags on endlessly, depending on our circumstances and mindset. But what is time, really? Is it a universal constant, or is it a subjective experience that varies from person to person?

The answer, it turns out, is a bit of both. From a physics standpoint, time is a dimension in which events occur in a sequential order, moving from the past, through the present, and into the future. However, from a psychological standpoint, time is a subjective experience that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including our emotions, level of engagement, and attention.

Research has shown that our perception of time can be influenced by a variety of factors. For example, when we are engaged in a task that we find enjoyable or challenging, time seems to fly by quickly. On the other hand, when we are bored or disengaged, time can feel like it's dragging on endlessly. 1

One way to improve our relationship with time is by learning how to be more present in the moment. Being present means paying attention to what's happening right now, without getting distracted by thoughts or worries about the past or future. Lao Tzu the Chinese philosopher who lived during the 6th century BCE is attributed as saying, “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”

When we are present, we can fully engage with our surroundings, which can help us feel more alive and connected to the world around us.

The good news is that there are many strategies we can use to improve our ability to be present. For example, practising mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help us learn how to focus our attention and stay present in the moment. 2 Other strategies, such as reducing distractions or creating a daily routine, can also help us improve our relationship with time. 3

But why is being present in the moment so important? One reason is that it can help us feel more alive and engaged with our surroundings. When we are present, we can fully experience the beauty and richness of the world around us, which can bring us greater joy and fulfilment. 4

Additionally, being present can help us make better decisions and be more productive, as we are better able to focus our attention on the task at hand. 5

One of the key brain regions involved in our ability to be present is the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a small, seahorse-shaped structure located deep within the brain, and is essential for forming and retrieving memories. In fact, damage to the hippocampus can result in amnesia, the loss of memory. 6

I like to imagine that the hippocampus can be metaphorically thought of as a pink hippo librarian in the brain, carefully cataloguing and organizing memories like books on a shelf. Or, like the knight in chess that can jump over pieces, but just as a librarian keeps track of where books are located in the library, the hippocampus helps to encode and retrieve memories, allowing us to access them when needed. In fact, the hippocampus is involved in spatial navigation and forming connections between memories, while the knight in chess is unique in its ability to move in an L-shaped pattern, allowing it to navigate around other pieces and make unexpected connections on the board. Both the hippocampus and the knight play crucial roles in their respective systems, helping to create new associations and reach goals through creative and unconventional means.

And just as books can be lost or misplaced in a library, the hippocampus can also be affected by injury or disease, leading to difficulties with memory and recall.

Research has also shown that the hippocampus is involved in our perception of time. Specifically, the hippocampus helps us create mental time stamps that allow us to remember when an event occurred, and to sequence events in chronological order. 7

Interestingly, the hippocampus seems to be particularly sensitive to emotional events, and can create stronger memories for events that are emotionally charged. 8

The hippocampus is involved in the processing and encoding of new and novel information. It plays a critical role in learning and memory, particularly in the formation of declarative memories, which are memories that can be consciously recalled and verbally described.

Studies have shown that the hippocampus is more active when people are processing and learning new information, compared to when they are recalling information that has already been learned. 9

The concept of “hacking time” proposes that by understanding the underlying mechanisms of our brain's perception and processing of time, we can optimize our experiences and improve our well-being. The hippocampus, is now recognized as having a central role in time perception and temporal processing. By integrating knowledge of the hippocampus into our strategies for time management and mindfulness, we can potentially enhance our ability to live in the present moment and make the most of our time.

So, what does all this mean for our ability to be present in the moment? Essentially, it means that our ability to be present is intimately connected to our ability to form and retrieve memories. When we are present, we are fully engaged with our surroundings, and are more likely to form strong, vivid memories of our experiences. Conversely, when we are distracted or not fully engaged, we are less likely to form strong memories, and may have trouble recalling what happened later on. 10

In addition to the hippocampus, there are other brain regions that play a role in our perception of time and ability to be present. For example, the prefrontal cortex is involved in regulating attention and decision-making processes, both of which are important for our ability to be present in the moment. 11 Studies have shown that individuals with greater activity in the prefrontal cortex tend to have better time perception and are better able to stay focused on the task at hand. 12

Another important brain region for time perception is the basal ganglia, a group of nuclei located deep within the brain. The basal ganglia are involved in a variety of functions, including motor control, reward processing, and decision-making, but they also play an important role in our ability to perceive time. 13

Research has shown that the basal ganglia work in concert with the prefrontal cortex and other brain regions to create an internal clock, which allows us to track the passage of time. 14 This internal clock helps us to sequence events, maintain a sense of time continuity, and adjust our behaviour accordingly.

In Greek, there are two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to linear, chronological time - the ticking of the clock, the passing of seconds, minutes, and hours. Kairos, on the other hand, refers to the right or opportune moment - a moment of decision, a moment of possibility, a moment of opportunity.

In the context of “Hacking Time”, these two concepts can be integrated in our approach to time management. Chronos time represents the structure and organization necessary for effective time management, such as scheduling, prioritizing, and setting goals. Kairos time, however, emphasizes the importance of being present and mindful in the moment, recognizing and seizing opportunities as they arise.

By incorporating both concepts into our approach to time management, we can achieve a balance of structure and spontaneity, maximizing our potential and living a more fulfilling life. We can honour the ticking of the clock while also being attuned to the present moment, recognizing the opportunities for growth and development that each moment presents.

So, what can we do to optimize our brain function and improve our ability to be present in the moment?

One strategy is to engage in regular physical exercise, which has been shown to improve cognitive function and brain health. 15 Exercise has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, stimulate the growth of new brain cells, and improve the connectivity between different brain regions. 16

Another strategy is to practice mindfulness meditation, which has been shown to improve attention, memory, and emotional regulation, all of which are important for our ability to be present in the moment.

Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment, observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment, and practising 17 deep breathing and relaxation techniques.

In addition to exercise and mindfulness meditation, there are a variety of other strategies we can use to optimize our brain function and improve our ability to be present in the moment. These include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, reducing stress, and practising gratitude and positive thinking. 18

Time is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including our emotions, level of engagement, and attention. Our ability to be present in the moment is intimately connected to our perception of time and our ability to form and retrieve memories.

By understanding the neuroscience of time perception and practising strategies to optimize brain function, we can improve our ability to be present, feel more alive and engaged, and lead more fulfilling lives. For me, I now choose to live where I want to be by imagining and feeling as if I am there right now. I choose to be mentally where I want to be, intercept any negative thoughts that seek to live rent-free in my mind, and not have tea with them.

Giuseppe Tagliarini BACP

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