This quote is a philosophical reflection on the nature of our existence. Einstein suggests that time and space are not physical entities in which we exist, but rather conceptual frameworks that we use to understand and navigate the world around us. They are ‘modes by which we think’, tools of perception and comprehension, rather than ‘conditions in which we live’, or inherent properties of the universe.

In simpler terms, Einstein is saying that time and space are not tangible things that exist outside of us, but rather constructs of our minds that help us make sense of our experiences. They are subjective, not objective. They are flexible, not fixed. They change with our perceptions and understandings, not independent of us.

Applying this idea to today’s world or personal development, we might consider how our perceptions and understandings shape our experiences. Just as we use the concepts of time and space to organize our physical experiences, we use other mental constructs to organize our emotional and psychological experiences. For example, we categorize people and events into ‘good’ or ‘bad’, ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, ‘success’ or ‘failure’. These categories are not inherent properties of the people or events themselves, but rather modes by which we think and understand.

Understanding this can empower us to change our experiences by changing our perceptions. If we find ourselves stuck in a negative pattern of thinking, we can challenge the mental constructs that are causing this pattern. We can redefine our categories, or even eliminate them altogether. We can choose to see the world in a different way, and in doing so, we can change our experience of the world.

In essence, Einstein’s quote is a reminder that we are not passive observers of a fixed reality, but active participants in a flexible reality that we have the power to shape and change through our thoughts and perceptions.