Can I have a moment of your time? Tik tok. Time is of the essence. Rushing. In the nick of time. Ticking time bomb. Take your time. Time stops. Waiting. Time flies. Watch the clock. Busy. Beat the clock. Boredom. Find some time. Killing time. Perfect time. In the blink of an eye. Time after time. Now. A stitch in time saves nine. Time to go. Once in a blue moon. Time for change.

Time, it’s all we really have. A universal gift and truth that everyone has access to. The ultimate equalizer. We’re all in the same boat with time. It doesn’t matter our circumstances or choices, we are all “doing time” in our own ways. We can look at it as a limited resource or infinite supply. Lack or abundance. Time is an investment. We let it control us or we try to control it. It owns us or we own it. Carpe Diem. We can decide to work with it, play with it, guide it and be with it. Time to explore.

I first learned about Chronos and Kairos time while immersed in an Urban Priestess apprenticeship years ago. In ancient Greek society these two different words for time, with their distinct meanings, were regarded as equally important and valuable. This deeper understanding of the time sense helped me reframe my view and reshape the way I use and manage it. A fresh perspective and new appreciation for this essential commodity we all share. Every one of us has experienced time feeling like a rollercoaster- slowing down, speeding up, hanging in thin air, twisting, turning, and stopping suddenly. Sometimes we attempt to force, control or avoid it. Other times we trust and let go, seeing where it leads us. We fill it up, empty it out and move it around. Time is on our side.

Chronos is the latin root of “chronological”, meaning sequential order. Chronos time is quantitative. It is surface time that is measured in various calendars, clocks, and other essential systems important for our survival and evolution as a species (phases of the moon, harvest time, Earth shifts, etc). The time of the mind and the body. It became the dominant system over time and is now what most of us subscribe to. It’s the time sense that the modern world reflects back to us, so we rarely question its meaning and never think to live outside of that box. We check our watches, clocks and phones day in and day out, becoming slaves to its predictable nature. We track it and obsess over it, making us feel anxious and scattered. Never enough time and running out of time. Being present and patient are nearly impossible when we feel like we are racing against the clock. Time to merge and emerge.

Kairos time is defined as the decisive, crucial and opportune moment where the conditions are right for accomplishment. Kairos time is qualitative and untethered by any moving clock or calendar. The time of the soul. It can’t be measured, only experienced. We completely lose track of Chronos time and surrender to a natural state of flow and ease. A simple kind of focus and absorption that only Kairos time allows. A deep time sense where we become activated by instinct, intuition and inspiration. We form new connections and notice patterns. Everything works out. Serendipity, synchronicity and deja vu live here. Hitting the bullseye. The sweet spot. It’s where magic happens.

Both Kairos and Chronos times have a natural order, structure and rhythm. Creation, production and innovation come together when they are in alignment. A powerful dance. Every Kairos is a Chronos, but NOT every Chronos is a Kairos. Read that again.

We all inhabit this globe together, whether we like it or not, and are newly connected through little computers in our pockets (thanks Steve Jobs!). It is a time of change and transformation in the world, which always opens up new doors and windows for us. An invitation to adapt and grow. A good time to reflect on our relationship with this precious resource, however we define it.

How do we show up in time? How do we practice balancing Chronos and Kairos time in our life? What are the benefits of each? Can we bridge the two?

Time = Attention. Where do we put our attention? How do we use our time?

Meditation practice is life practice and helps us transcend time and space. We experience the freedom of Kairos that balances contained Chronos and pulls us forward in the direction of our dreams. A powerful combination that offers us an opportunity to live life more fully. Another useful tool for our belt, meditation before activation!

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien

Adios,

Gretchen

P.S. Written with a spark during a power outage in the middle of an ice storm, March Madness at its finest! Don’t forget to lose track of time here and there:)