Jump the gun is an idiom and probably known worldwide. Originally, known as beat the gun in track and field competitions. This quote has a spiritual significance for us to consider. The now is constant. It may be the only true constant in the universe. This moment is an expression of presence. Now is Undeniable. So how does the idiom help us to understand the isness of now?
This is the internet definition for Jump the Gun.
informal:
Act before the proper time.
Synonyms: act prematurely, act too soon, be too/overly hasty, be precipitate, be rash
informal:
Be ahead of oneself.
Here we see the usefulness of this phrase in conscious awakening. The two explanations of Jump the Gun offer an open passage to our relationship with the now. This is a sign post that points toward enlightenment. What is enlightenment? We can say that enlightenment is awareness that offers change. Lao Tzu shares the following insight about awareness.
“The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.”
– Lao Tzu
So, jump the gun means to act before the proper time. Isn’t that what we do again and again? We always react to a mind-generated reality. This is usually just an illusion. We experience now through thoughts of the past or future. Hence, we actually attempt to avoid the now.
Consequently, conditioning factors of the mind demand that we super-impose a false reality onto the present moment. Furthermore, to jump the gun, spiritually speaking, separates a person from the true self. To illustrate, we can say this is an attempt to be ahead of what is now. Therefore, this behavior nurtures duality. Duality is a state of mind and not a state of being. It is impossible to experience presence when the mind invokes a condition of falseness onto the present moment.
