Time isn’t precious at all, because it’s an illusion. What you perceive as precious is the Now, the only point that’s truly real. This quote flips our entire relationship with time on its head.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
The core message is that we’ve been valuing the wrong thing. We chase and stress over time, but real value and real life only happen in the eternal present moment, the Now.
Explanation
Okay, so let’s break this down. Think about it. When we say “time is precious,” what are we really talking about? We’re almost always anxious about the future—deadlines, appointments, what’s next—or we’re regretting or reminiscing about the past. But here’s the kicker: you can’t actually *live* in the future or the past. You can only ever live, act, and *be* right here, in this single, fleeting moment. The “Now.” Tolle’s point is that by obsessing over the linear timeline, we miss the only thing that’s actually real. It’s like being so worried about the map that you forget to look at the actual territory you’re standing on. The power, the peace, the “preciousness” we’re seeking is never in the next hour or the last one; it’s buried right under our noses, in the eternal present.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Spiritual (229) |
| Topics | perception (39), presence (80), time (59) |
| Literary Style | philosophical (434) |
| Emotion / Mood | calm (491), mystical (11) |
| Overall Quote Score | 84 (319) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from Eckhart Tolle’s 1997 book, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. It was first published in Canada and has since become a foundational text in modern spirituality. You won’t find this attributed to anyone else because it’s pure Tolle, born from his own profound personal awakening.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Eckhart Tolle (45) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (45) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Eckhart Tolle, born in Germany in 1948, became widely known after his transformative insights at age 29 led him to teach about presence and inner stillness. He later settled in Vancouver and wrote The Power of Now and A New Earth, which topped bestseller lists and inspired millions. He collaborates with major platforms, hosts retreats, and shares teachings through his online portal. The
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1997; ISBN: 978-1577314806; Last Edition: New World Library Edition (2004); Number of Pages: 229 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 3: Moving Deeply Into the Now, Page 54 |