If time is an illusion, and the past, present, and future are all happening simultaneously, then why do we only maintain consciousness for a small fraction of it In theory we were alive before birth and still living after deathdue to nodifference in time?

Answer 1

Let us understand what time is. Time is not an illusion, time is just a measure to record the lapse between one event and another. As you are reading the answer, time is passing - it doesn’t mean that actually time is like a train that is passing, but one moment is becoming another moment, and then another moment till it becomes a minute, an hour, a day and a year. Time records it, time is just a measure. What actually exists is only this moment because other than this moment, nothing exists. You can't go to yesterday like you can go to New York or London, you can't go to tomorrow. Tomorrow will only come when it becomes today, when it becomes now. Therefore, let us understand what exists is only the present moment and time is a measure to record moment by moment.

Answer 2

Consciousness is a product of our brains processing information, which requires a linear perception of time to make sense of experiences. While time may be a human construct and not an inherent property of the universe, our consciousness is limited to experiencing reality in a sequential manner. The idea of being alive before birth and after death is more philosophical and spiritual in nature, as there is no scientific evidence to support the notion of conscious existence outside of our physical life.