by Jean D’Cruz
Understanding impermanence, one of Shakyamuni Buddha’s first and his last teaching, is important for deepening our wisdom. It refers to the fact that everything that is produced by causes and conditions is subject to change, moment by moment, until it eventually ceases. Though we may intellectually accept this, emotionally it is harder to recognise, and this leads to suffering when change occurs.
We relate to things in our lives — our relationships, our youth, our moods, desirable objects — as if they are permanent. This misconception leads to unhappiness. When we resist the natural flow of change, we experience stress, shock, and a sense of loss when impermanence manifests itself in our lives.
Conversely, recognising and meditating on impermanence opens us to a dynamic and realistic perspective, freeing us from living in a form of emotional denial.
The truth of impermanence
From a Buddhist perspective, not recognising impermanence is one root of negative states of mind, which are by nature unhappy and lead to suffering. For example, when we see something attractive, we grasp at it, believing it will make us happy and remain unchanged.
This attachment is born from a mistaken innate view of permanence that makes us see the thing we desire as static rather than fleeting or subject to decay. It leads to grief and pain when reality inevitably reveals the truth of impermanence.
Similarly, when we experience emotions such as anger, they arise with a perception that the situations stimulating them are solid and unchanging, rather than perceiving that they, too, are temporary. This mistaken perception intensifies our suffering.
However, when we understand impermanence, we can approach difficult situations with more patience and less attachment knowing that the experience is fleeting, reducing our suffering and experiencing a calmer mind.
Appreciating the good in our lives
Acknowledging impermanence also helps us better appreciate the good in our lives. Recognising that our relationships will change, that anything we possesses is transitory, and any belonging we experience to a place or group is temporary, allows us to enjoy them without clinging, leading to a more relaxed and fulfilling life. This awareness encourages us to show appreciation to those we love, preventing the deep regret that can accompany loss.
The Buddha taught impermanence not to increase suffering but to help us live happier and more meaningful lives. By embracing impermanence, we realize that our time is precious, which energises and transforms how we live. It helps us focus on what is truly meaningful, giving us the courage and enthusiasm to live with purpose.
Empowering us to initiate change
Understanding impermanence not only reveals that change is inevitable but also empowers us to initiate change. We are encouraged to vigorously prioritise our spiritual practice of lessening negative, suffering-producing minds and cultivate positive, happiness-producing ones. Recognising impermanence is a wisdom, aligning us with an aspect of reality.
When we truly grasp impermanence, we become more compassionate and kinder, recognising that each moment is an opportunity to live according to what is most meaningful and beneficial. This awareness leads to a life with fewer regrets and more genuine connections. At the time of death, we can reflect on a life to which we have brought great positivity, free from the burden of missed opportunities.
By understanding impermanence, we not only accept the inevitability of change but also harness it to bring about positive transformation in our lives. This wisdom allows us to live with clarity, strength, and a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing that every moment is both precious and transient.
For a blog on this topic see Hanging on to impermanence! by Chris M