If we were on a star, what would we see of that which exists on the earth?

 

.

If we found ourselves on a star, and if, from there we could see the life on our planet, we should not see modern civilization. We should for example see the events occurring in Egypt in the time of the Paraohs. 


—Alexander Ananoff

.

Although the interval of time that elapses between the moment when we perceive the image of an object and that at which it "left" may be infinitely short, the principle involved is the same as that which relates to the thousands of years taken by the image of the star to reach us. In both cases the conclusion is: "those things we see are images of the past".

Is there any reason for lingering to discuss problems of this kind? The Masters who inculcate the Secret Teachings do not think so. The objects providing the subject on which our cleverness is exercised have no real existence. What has to be understood is that theories and doctrines of all kinds are the fabrication of our mind.


—Alexandra David-Néel
The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects

.