When individuals dwell on past events, they may relive pain, regret, or trauma, even though those events are no longer occurring. Similarly, when they imagine the future, they often construct scenarios shaped by uncertainty or fear, leading to anxiety about outcomes that have not—and may never—happen. In both cases, the suffering is real, but its source is internal rather than immediate reality.

There is no direct solution to the past, because it cannot be changed, and there is no concrete solution to the future, because it has not yet materialized. However, the present moment—the only point in time where action is possible—always contains the potential for response, adaptation, and resolution.

By organizing one’s memories—placing them in proper perspective rather than allowing them to dominate current perception—and by exercising discipline over imagination—recognizing projections without becoming consumed by them—an individual can reduce unnecessary suffering. This does not mean ignoring the past or avoiding planning for the future, but rather preventing them from overwhelming present awareness.

In doing so, a person gains agency over their experience. The future is not something that simply happens; it is influenced by present actions, decisions, and interpretations. Thus, suffering is often less about life itself and more about how the mind interprets time.

In contrast, when attention is grounded in the present, problems become concrete and actionable. What is happening now can be addressed. There is always some form of response available—whether it is a decision, an adjustment, or acceptance.

Therefore, while one cannot solve the past or fully control the future, one can always engage with the present. And in that engagement lies the capacity to reduce suffering and shape what comes next.