Right, you've described our “intuitive” view — I put that in quotes because it’s more likely that the nature of our society and its emphasis on “progress” has m

Right, you've described our “intuitive” view — I put that in quotes because it’s more likely that the nature of our society and its emphasis on “progress” has made us think that the future is a real thing. Actually, the present moment is the only real thing, and the future is just a mental projection made in the present moment. Perhaps surprisingly, so is the past — the past is an abstraction, a projection by our minds that doesn’t really exist. This isn’t just philosophy or speculation but a fact evident to any conscious being that doesn't try to rationalize abstractions into existence, as we Westerns often do. Some would argue that the entire universe, past present and future, exists simultaneously for an outside observer — I believe there have been some results in quantum physics even suggesting this. This might apply to the physical world, but obviously not to consciousness. One more thing: realizing this truth is actually very freeing, and has made me more adept at conducting life strategically in this world, not less.