Nothing is permanent
Nothing in this world is permanent. We can observe this on all levels. On a universal level, stars form and collapse. On a global level, continents shift and climates change. On a personal level, we observe the decay of our body, changes to our mind, relationships coming and going, our possessions wearing out. We live in a world of constant flux. Unfortunately, many of us refuse to recognize this, and suffering is the result.
When we fail to acknowledge impermanence, we cling to things. We cling to our youth, to our health, to our relationships, and to our possessions. We cling to them as though they could provide lasting happiness, as though they will last forever. Eventually, reality intervenes. That to which we cling is taken from us, and we forced to face the truth of impermanence. Thus we have the pain of a stolen car, of an ended relationship, or the death of a loved one.
In actual fact, the pain associated with clinging arises even before these moments. The pain arises earlier in the form of fear. Deep down, we are already aware of impermanence. Therefore, if we cling to something that is temporary, we live in fear of the day when it is taken from us. We can have a much happier life if we instead realize and accept the impermanence of existence. We can see the futility of clinging to things, and instead learn to appreciate them while we have them, but without staking our happiness on them. This also helps us to make better decisions. When we understand that we will change, and that other people will change, then we can recognize when a fresh approach is needed.
The suffering that results from clinging to impermanence is not fun. Learning to acknowledge the impermanence of existing may seem scary, however it is actually liberating. In reality, we are just acknowledging something that we are already aware of anyway. When we bring it into the open, we realize that it is not so scary. We actually find that recognition of impermanence brings more lightness, acceptance, and joy into our lives, and that the fear and suffering go away.
Rahul Pandey said,
March 7, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
I appreciate this thought that nothing is permanent here and most of the pain comes from the human nature to ignore the impermanence of anything be it something tangible or intangible. I believe this pain comes from the thought of being separated from that very thing and the emotions attached to it. It’s the soul of a person which begets the emotions for something and the permanence of soul is very much unquestionable both in mythical and scientific terms. So the only thing which appears to be of utmost help here is one’s control over his soul to stop him from attaching any emotion to any thing in this world and its very difficult if not impossible for any one to achieve that level of control over his soul because it demands years of dedication and impeccable willpower which was demonstrated by Gautam Buddha who achieved Nirvana which is nothing but victory over one’s soul. Let’s just accept that at this stage it will be difficult to replicate what Siddhartha did in when he was young by abnegating himself of all worldly pleasures and comfort because today people have became so materialistic that they cannot even think of abstaining themselves from enjoying the pleasure of every thing that is not permanent and the price which they are paying for this is the pain which the get after their emotions gets shattered. Nirvana is not for those whose will power is not enough to pay the price for it…every one cannot be Buddha…
abhishake said,
September 4, 2010 @ 2:08 am
All is Well