When I was a kid, an autumn afternoon felt like it lasted forever. There was plenty of time for exploring, plenty of time for dreaming, and plenty of time for… everything. Those days stretched on, hours filled with curiosity, wonder, and a sense that each moment had room to breathe.
But have you noticed how those days seem to grow shorter as we get older? The hours slip by, quick and fleeting, rushing us along faster than we want to go. We even talk about “killing time,” as though time itself were something to get through, instead of something sacred, something to savor.
But what if we could change our relationship with time? What if, instead of killing it, we began to nourish time? What if we could slow down, savor moments, and create space for the kind of spiritual connection that once felt so natural? Could we learn to stretch time, to make those moments of joy, laughter, and personal growth last a little longer?
A New Way to Approach Time for Seekers in Marin
At Golden Gate Center for Spiritual Living in Marin County, we explore ideas like these together. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Ernest Holmes, who believed that life reflects what we put into it, we ask: What happens when we invest energy into creating meaningful, mindful moments? When we choose to bring our full attention into the present, we’re able to find that depth of experience that seekers and explorers have always valued.
Philosopher Mircea Eliade spoke of the sacred within the ordinary, of time that feels different when approached with intention. Eliade believed that in moments of true presence, we step into what he called “sacred time”—time that feels fuller, richer. These moments don’t follow the usual ticking of the clock; they expand, as if they, too, are breathing.
Can We Make Time Expand?
What if we could consciously create these sacred, stretched moments in our everyday lives? It might be as simple as setting down the to-do list and sharing a meal with friends, family, or neighbors. It could mean taking a walk in Marin’s beautiful natural landscapes, just to feel the leaves crunch underfoot and breathe the cool autumn air. Or perhaps, like a musician stretching a note, we can stretch these moments of connection, choosing to be fully present in them.
At Golden Gate Center for Spiritual Living, we believe that creating these moments of connection—whether through meditation, mindfulness practices, or simply being with others who are also on a path of spiritual exploration—is a way to nourish time itself. We’re here to cultivate spaces where time doesn’t rush us, where we’re invited to pause, reflect, and simply be in the moment together.
Making Time Sacred in Marin’s Spiritual Community
So, the next time you feel the urge to “kill time,” consider a different approach. What if, instead, you used that time to connect—to explore, to listen, to simply be present? By being intentional, we give time the opportunity to expand, to become something more than just minutes ticking by. We can turn those fleeting hours into rich experiences, into moments that feel like they last a lifetime.
Because maybe, just maybe, those endless autumn afternoons aren’t gone. They’re just waiting for us to create the space where they can happen once again. And in this spiritual community in Marin, you’ll find others who, like you, are drawn to exploring life’s mysteries, sharing the journey, and slowing down enough to savor each step along the way.