Do we experience the present instant, or can we only remember it?

Question

Given that the present instant is a flash, do we only remember it after our brain has had time to hit ENTER, like in 43 hundredths of a second or whatever?
I myself have remembered certain things better than I experienced them initially, and those were actual events that occurred over a minute or more, more than the present instant -- could that be even more true the infinitesimal event, which is the present instant?

Could it be the brain does not even try to experience the present instant, since its computing skills are not adroit, and correct me if I'm wrong; but the brain just takes the easy way and remembers the present instant -- actually getting a clearer view if it that way.
That could explain a lot of things, but I don't know what.

Can I edit this question? I wrote it in the present; and I would prefer, if you don't mind, to write it in the past.

Answer 1

Our senses take in data on the world about us, and this data must travel chemically to the brain. Regardless of how fast it happens, it takes time. Therefore we never actually experience the present, but recollect it. Out physical presence is therefore in the present at all times, but our experience of it is delayed through having to convert the sense data into chemical form.

Answer 2

We recognize the present moment in the future after we organize it into something that makes sense with the rest of our past so that it can be understood in the present which of course has already slipped by yet still feels like right now. That's where clarity comes in and it's often quicker the more urgent the situation.

The brain filters all types of input and is designed to focus on the exception to the expected for survival - that's usually the threat or the treat. The challenge is to get your head to consciously process the things taken as mundane or classified as "other" in order to see the world more broadly and from more than just the rote perspective that your circuitry typically travels.

To answer more directly, the present is experienced, it just takes time to process.

Answer 3

The conclusion of a great Zen Buddhist Koan points out that the captioned Master may not know the ultimate truth but he could certianly understand it!

Of course we experience the present but to experience a thing isn't even enough to say that you understand the thing never mind know it! This is why Buddhist say that past present and future are all illusions of the minds construct of reality because only the Enlightened can be in harmony with and thus know the whole. Hence we are told to not consider these constructs beyond the matter at hand!

Answer 4

If you think about it, nothing really exists except the present moment. I think your focusing too much on the man made concept of "time" which doesn't really exist. There is no such thing as time, only infinity. It's a perplexing concept to comprehend. The past and the future aren't real and only exist in our minds. The only thing that is real is your ever present existence in the now. To quote the Buddha, "The secret to health for both body and mind is, not to mourn for the past, worry about the future or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment earnestly and wisely." Try reading "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. Good luck.

Answer 5

We experience it as soon as the nerve impulses from the stimuli register in our brains, but then, within what may be a split second, we become more aware of it and experience it more fully after our brain has had time to do some analysis of the initial impression, comparing it with related info that the brain has in storage.

Answer 6

the present is actually only a point of zero dimension [and zero content] or a line of zero thickness, between past and future [which also dont exist], so how do we experience anything?

Answer 7

Hi,

Why don't you get yourself a good drink ?
It will surely provide the best answer to your question.
So I am just helping you to find out the right answer yourself.