Time is a profound mystery, as everything that the human mind can imagine has some element of time in it, yet time cannot be understood on its own. ‘Time’ and ‘event’ are inextricably linked; they define each other. Many people wish that they could "go back in time" to correct their past mistakes, thinking that perhaps the present could be improved by having acted differently in the past. This idea is explored by the mathematician and mystic P.D. Ouspensky in his novel The Strange Life of Ivan Osokin, which tells the tale of a young man who is finding his life very frustrating because of past mistakes. Ivan approaches a magician and asks to be sent back in time so that he could make better choices. The magician tells Ivan that even if he gets such an opportunity, that will not make any difference, as he would end up making the same errors. Indeed, this is what happens to Ivan. After Ivan comes back to the ‘present’, the magician tells him that no use in going back in time, for ‘time’ means ‘events’. Same events will take place if one goes back to the same time. The life can be better, the mistakes can be corrected. But not by going back in time. It is through discipleship. No one is capable of doing that himself. Instead, a quickening impulse is required, and that is generated from the guru (spiritual teacher). One must become a student, a disciple; otherwise, one will keep repeating the same mistakes, which are generated from an ego-centered life ruled by "likes" and "dislikes." We must connect with the Source of knowledge. In the fourth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord explains three ways to find knowledge: offering profound salutations, asking the right questions, and performing service. As knowledge comes, the "I" begins to change and the ego surrenders; only then can the cycle of time be broken. Life will be walking in Light.
