We previously referred to the fact that we interpret the elements of time as the past, the present, and the future. However, in reality, only the present exists, inasmuch as the past has already been and the future is not…yet.
The perception of our present skiing oscillates continuously between the past and the future, resulting in a limit-point, like a prolonged present in which we tend to retain what has been and anticipate what is not yet to be. Skiing takes place in the present; yesterday and tomorrow only dwell in our minds, and we do not only ski in the present but we also create it.
When skiing, it seems to us that each descent is composed of a succession of moments in which different situations occur. In reality, there are not many ‘different’ moments but only one: it is this moment in which our present takes place; namely, all our skiing manifests itself in a constant now.
The paradox of time is that everything we ski requires time but we always ski in the present moment. In reality, all skiing is made up of small accomplishments in those present moments. So, why does frustration arise when skiing? It arises because we ignore the present moment, because we believe that something else outside of that moment is more important.
Eckhart Tolle asserts that the only moment that exists is the now. The being of time is now, because the future is-not–yet; the past is-not; only the present we can claim to be. Our skiing is performed in the now, in the present moment which also involves the here, not the end of the slope, not the next run.
The enjoyment of our relationship with skiing is contingent upon our communication with the present moment, specifically its manifestation. If we are caught up in past skiing or drawn to future skiing, our present skiing will be dysfunctional. This occurs because we are thinking about the past or the future. If we are engrossed in our past skiing, then it is pointless to continue dealing with it. If, however, we identify with our future skiing, then we are not fully situated here because we are busy trying to get somewhere else.
Everything we experience when skiing, everything we feel is always the present, it always has been and it always will be. We should refrain from skipping as if the upcoming run would be superior, as there is no ‘next’ run, as it will also be in the present. By suppressing irrelevant mental processes, we can experience the present of our skiing reality. When we are present, this reality manifests itself to us as a unified whole, but many times, due to our fragmented thoughts, we experience a fragmented skiing generated by fragmented actions. Nothing further from the state of flow.
It is imperative that we comprehend the present as a unique time in which events occur. Skiing keeps us in the present for the majority of the time, hence the expression ‘I am skiing‘. Any other time only exists in our imagination because it cannot be lived.
This unique skiing experience integrates temporal links into a relationship of continuity with what has happened and preparation for what is to come. Skiing in the present is not merely a simple ‘going by’ but rather an immersion in it. It can be understood that falling, getting off a slalom course, or choosing the wrong trajectory in the forest is a sign of not being present. On the other hand, concentrating means paying attention to what we are doing in the present moment.
Many people are so distracted by their thoughts that they do not appreciate the nature around them when they ski. The greater the temporal distance between our perception and our thoughts, the more aware we are of our current skiing.
If we were capable of skiing entirely in the present moment, all our experiences would appear fresh and distinct, and we would respond efficiently to each circumstance instead of reacting conditionally. But beware, because if we interpret ourselves as rigid skiers, we will suffer for it, as skiing is constantly changing. We pretend that everything stays the same in order to protect ourselves from the incidences of skiing.
When skiing our favorite slopes, we experience the present as a flow into the future. The skiing of now comes only once and never again but we imagine that it will return tomorrow; however, it will be another skiing, another run that will not come more than once in that way either. Therefore, the question would be, which slope is our favorite? It is the one we are currently descending from.
