… is diverse and deeply rooted in cultural and religious ideas, because while Western societies often cultivate a linear understanding of time that is centred on progress and efficiency, cyclical and ‘timeless’ concepts also exist. Cyclical concepts of time, such as those found in Hindu traditions or Mayan culture, emphasise the cycle of becoming, passing away and returning. These ideas are often linked to the belief in reincarnation and can lead to a more relaxed attitude towards life. In contrast to this is the ‘timeless’ perception that exists among the indigenous peoples of Australia in the ‘Dreamtime’. Here, the past, present and future merge into a single entity, which leads to a deep respect for nature and an awareness of the connection with the ancestors. These different concepts of time have a significant influence on how people perceive the world and behave in it, as a linear understanding of time promotes technological progress and economic growth, but can also lead to time pressure and stress.
Cyclical ideas, on the other hand, promote serenity and an awareness of natural cycles, while the ‘timeless’ perception leads to a sustainable lifestyle and a deep respect for nature. In the globalised world, these different concepts of time exist in parallel, which can lead to intercultural misunderstandings. The Western emphasis on punctuality, for example, can be perceived as rude or intrusive in other cultures. It is therefore important to be aware of the diversity of concepts of time and to cultivate an open and respectful relationship. From a psychological point of view, the individual perception of time is influenced by factors such as emotions, activities and cultural background. The idea that time has an independent existence goes back primarily to Plato. However, this idea, which also appears in a modified form with Isaac Newton, who spoke of an absolute space and an absolute time, was refuted by Einstein. Einstein showed that the times that different observers read on their clocks depend on their relative states of motion, although their measurements are all equally valid, i.e. to emphasise only one of them and declare it absolute is therefore an act of man-made arbitrariness in the light of the theory of relativity.