Making Friends With Impermanence

Impermanence is not a convenient term you say with a sigh when things go south, nor is it a way to console yourself when a desired situation come to an end.  If you think that impermanence simply suggests a termination of a relationship or a conclusion of an event, this understanding is also incomplete.  In the first place, why does impermanence exist?  There is impermanence because of the empty nature of all phenomena.  Everything, literally everything, that exists is empty of intrinsic existence and is therefore non-singular, dependent and impermanent.  And yet everything is also in the process of creation moment by moment and changing every second, albeit so subtle that you may not realise.  The "you" five minutes ago is already different from the "you" at this very minute, physiologically and mentally.  Thus we are all living in the perpetual cycles of arising and ceasing. 

We do not need to breakthrough this cycle though.  Rather, we can see through the nature of such and know that we can leverage on the time and physical space between ceasing and arising to make the changes we want for our highest good and the expansion of self.  What is really arising is only our mental formations or simply put, our thought forms.  There is no need to annihilate our thoughts, but we can at least take on different thoughts and perspectives and go for those that align with our heart and soul.  Let us enjoy the infinite possibilities that impermanence brings us.

There Is Only Uncertainty

Uncertainty gives a connotation of unease, insecurity -- a sense of loss.  It is like your hands desperately trying to hold onto something in the middle of an ocean and yet nothing seems to be graspable.  It is a universal desire of the human race from the beginning of evolution to have certainty in life.  Where does that come from?  And how is it that we can never abide in it?  

It is quite obvious that certainty is something not searchable as it is not part of the game.  In fact, it is precisely the opposite: uncertainty is what is supposed to be.  We as humans and all our thoughts, feelings and experiences are part of this universally constant flux.  Though our life may appear as a continuous flow, it is actually made up of a series of moments merged together; just like how in a movie when a series of frames is played back to compose the complete moving picture.  This moment is never going to be the same as the next moment.  Simultaneously it is with uncertainty that there will be impermanence.  What we need to know, rather, is how to make the best use of uncertainty and impermanence.  With impermanence changes are allowed or we can adopt a different attitude in order to embrace a different outcome.  At a profound level, our need for certainty stems from our insecurity when we believe that we are separate individuals living in our own bodies and minds.  Well, this does give a clue on how we can let go of this perpectual craving and make this a disbelief so that we can be who we truly are.   

Lost in Time and Space

With time comes the fear of death

For my mind tells me that my existence is finite

Trapped in the past and future

I have learned how to regret and worry

With the loss of my body who am I?

 

With space comes the fear of lack

For my mind tell me that I am detached

From you, others and the world

I have learned how to judge and be insecure

With the delusion of separation how can I be whole?  

A futile search when my Self is veiled

By my identification as a body and mind

Let me recover from my amnesia of the forgotten Self

So I can let go of my grasping of the outside world

Alas, I am the home of happiness and peace