The Zen of the New Year

"There exists only the present instant... a Now which always and without end is itself new. There is no yesterday nor any tomorrow, but only Now, as it was a thousand years ago and as it will be a thousand years hence." -- Meister Eckhart

I think about this Meister Eckhart quote at the end of the year. For some mysterious reason, to humans an imaginary line is drawn through the time that is celebrated as New Years Eve. There is the granite-like sensation of past and future and we are really only fully aware for a brief moment of the present. And it often times reflects in our faces joyfully. Or sadly. What our consciousness is feeling at the moment of transition is what waves to the world. Similar to the Greek comedy and tragedy theatre masks--smiling when one mask is chosen and frowning when the other is used.

What mask will I wear when the clock strikes midnight?

When that clock does strikes twelve on New Years Eve, people kiss, hug, cheer, raise their glasses in toast, exchange presents, often even sharing these personal gestures fully with perfect strangers at that moment in time. That precise, present moment.

It is potentially the single greatest expression of a mass Zen-like moment that takes place all year. Though it may be at times and with certain people be fueled with alcohol, it still works.

The New Year may be all about resolutions and changes and promises to ourselves and to others, but it is really that moment that counts. When we recognize ourselves, captured in amber for that moment in time.

I want piles of amber moments to climb down from when my time is up. I have a couple handfuls already.