Wednesday Words: A Taste of Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman

I wanted to share a little snippet of a beautiful book with you, in hopes of enticing you to discover it more fully for yourselves.  Einstein's Dreams, by Alan Lightman, is a magical little gem that will stretch your ideas about time and space. It is beautifully written and it is one of those books you must have in your collection...it isn't just enough to read it, you must own it, you must have on your shelves to live in your midst.....the smallest taste here...

From the chapter titled:
24 April 1905

"In this world, there are two times. There is mechanical time and there is body time. The first is as rigid and metallic as a massive pendulum of iron that swings back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. The second squirms and wriggles like a bluefish in a bay. The first is unyielding, predetermined. The second makes up its mind as it goes along.

Many are convinced that mechanical time does not exist. When they pass the giant clock on the Kramgasse they do not see it; nor do they hear its chimes while sending packages on Postgasse or strolling between flowers in the Rosengarten. They wear watches on their wrists, but only as ornaments or as courtesies to those who would give timepieces as gifts. They do not keep clocks in their houses. Instead, they listen to their heartbeats..."

I don't want to say any more....reading it yourself is too rich an experience for me to give any more away!