The earliest known forms of timekeeping, which is an expression of long term thinking, were found in the Semliki Valley of the modern day Congo, as a “hash-marked” bone dated 18000 BC,¹ and from later in 8000 BC, moon-shaped pits dug in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.²
More elaborate forms of timekeeping came with aboriginal and Meso-American cultures, ancient Egypt and Islam, and then the first mechanical clocks are attributed first to Chinese monk Yi Xing and then Egyptian Ptolemy.¹
Measurements and notions of time have evolved, yet sun up and sun down have remained the same. Nowadays though we have knowledge that goes beyond the relationship of Earth, Sun and Moon. For example, a day on Mercury lasts ≈1,408 hours, while a day on Neptune is ≈16 hours.³ And countless other different relationships occur in other star systems.
Those are all examples of Absolute Time. There is also the experience of Relative Time, in which “the rate at which time passes depends on your frame of reference,” introduced most famously by Einstein.⁴
And then beyond Relative Time, is the Quantum realm of Timelessness, or Infinity, in which immortality may be experienced. The effects of the quantum or spiritual on our environment and bodies have recently come into mainstream study and technological application.⁵
When it comes to the human body, the sun our star holds the most sway over our cycles of life. Our retinas respond to light and dark, along with a host of corresponding chemical reactions within us. When it’s day we are active; when it’s dark we sleep, or regenerate. Darkness causes production of melatonin in the brain’s pineal gland. This is the typical Circadian Rhythym. The term comes from the Latin phrase “circa diem” or “around the day.”
The easiest way to maximize Sleep, one of our most valuable regenerative processes, is to follow the circadian rhythm of Sun Up / Sun Down. Many find it difficult to pull away from the stimulating light of electronic devices at night, but the solution is simple: After a certain hour, it’s time to power down.
Edgar Allen Poe once dramatically referred to sleep as “little slices of death,” which underscores the powerful importancy of cycles of dormancy to our biology. Many plants and animals use dormancy to dramatically prolong life.⁶
Sleep cycles affect the entire human body down to cellular and molecular levels. Of the cycles, Non-REM Stage N3 “slow wave” sleep is the most restorative for the entire body. It’s associated with delta brainwaves, slowed breathing and heart rate, tissue repair and growth, cellular regeneration and strengthening of the immune system.⁷
The human body could be viewed as a large circuit, that requires regularly running at low power in order to optimize pathways, including neurons. The brain flushes out waste by way of cerebrospinal fluid. That could perhaps in part explain occasions of nonsensical dreams.
Sleep is an overarching and also enjoyable maintenance process that facilitates many other useful processes. In order to maximize regeneration and longevity, smart self care must include deliberate periods of dormancy. That’s of course readily available to us now. For those struggling, creation of a relaxing environment or having a ritual is ideal.
Well known remedies and aids for sleep include Melatonin —which can come from plant food sources like Tart Cherry and Gogi — fresh Dill, Chamomile, Valerian, Lavender and more.⁸ It’s also been demonstrated that listening to theta and delta waves in the form of binaural beats before sleep helps to synchronize brainwaves.⁹
1. “A brief, 20,000-year history of timekeeping” BY KELSEY D. ATHERTON | PUBLISHED NOV 13, 2017 | https://www.popsci.com/brief-history-of-timekeeping/
2. Gaffney, V., Fitch, S., Ramsey, E., Yorston, R., Ch’ng, E., Baldwin, E., Bates, R., Gaffney, C., Ruggles, C., Sparrow, T., McMillan, A., Cowley, D., Fraser, S., Murray, C., Murray, H., Hopla, E. and Howard, A. 2013 “Time and a Place: A luni-solar ‘time-reckoner’ from 8th millennium BC Scotland,” Internet Archaeology 34. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.34.1
3. “How Long Is One Day on Other Planets?” NASA Official: Kristen Erickson, Program Manager: Heather Doyle | October 6th, 2021 | https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/days/en/
4. “A Matter of Time” | American Museum Of Natural History | https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/einstein/time/a-matter-of-time
5. “Quantum Biology & Multidimensional Life” | Sarah Ikerd | IMMORTALISTS MAGAZINE Oct. 13, 2021 | https://www.theimmortalistsclub.com/post/quantum-biology-multidimensional-life-by-sarah-ikerd
6. “Examining Biological Immortality In Nature” | Sarah Ikerd | IMMORTALISTS MAGAZINE May 12, 2021 | https://www.theimmortalistsclub.com/post/examining-biological-immortality-in-nature-by-sarah-ikerd-016
7. “Everything to Know About the Stages of Sleep” | Eleesha Lockett, MS | Healthline September 30, 2021 | https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/stages-of-sleep#takeaway
8. “Dietary Sources and Bioactivities of Melatonin” | Xiao Meng, Ya Li, […], and Hua-Bin Li | NCBI April 9, 2017 | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409706/
9. “Binaural beats synchronize brain activity, don’t affect mood” | Society for Neuroscience, February 17, 2020 | https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200217143447.htm
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