The Hebrew word for "life" is composed by two letter with numerical values of 8 and 10, based on their sequential order in the alphabet. Together, they sum to 18. The number 18 is symbolic of life. Monetary gifts between Jews for various rites of passage (birthdays, weddings, holidays, etc.) are traditionally given in multiples of 18 ($18, $54, $180, etc.). The number 18 also reveals that life is both finite and eternal. 1 is finite as it's drawn from top to bottom, from heaven to Earth, from birth to death. 8 is eternal as it's continuous, with no beginning and no end. In life, the eternal soul is expressed as a finite self. Moreover, 1 implies that every thing is essentially one thing: the expression of the soul. 8  implies every thing is interconnected. Upon realizing all things are one interconnected thing, we treat every thing as we treat ourselves. That's compassion. Our oneness with every thing allows us to view the world from infinite perspectives. That's the essence of wisdom. Wisdom and compassion characterize a fully realized life....

The present is the pre-sent, not the now. In the pre-sent, every thing is absent. The pre-sent is nothing, just unlimited potential before it manifests as whatever it becomes in the now. When we are present, we can observe the now and realize we are consciousness that creates the now....