Impermanence

‘All is flux, nothing remains still!’ – Heraclitus, Greek philosopher

Change is the only constant. This is true at all levels. Stars form and collapse. Continents shift. Seasons change. Our body decays, the mind evolves and relationships change. But it is pertinent to note that though we live in a world of constant flux, many of us refuse to recognize it and distress is the result.

When we fail to accept impermanence, we cling to things. We cling to days gone by, to relationships and to possessions. We cling to them as if they will provide lasting happiness. Eventually, reality intervenes. When that, what we cling to, is taken from us, we face the reality of impermanence. Thus we feel the pain of a lost car, of a failing relationship or the death of a loved one.

Remarkably, the pain arises even before the loss, in the form of fear. Though we know it is temporary, we live in fear of losing it. We can have a much better off life if we realize and accept the fact of flux. We can learn to appreciate things we have but without staking our happiness on them. This helps to make better decisions. When we know that we will change and that other people will change, then we can identify the fresh approach that’s needed.

The unhappiness that comes from clinging to impermanence is a harsh reality. Admitting the impermanence may seem daunting, however it is actually liberating. In reality, we are just conceding something that we already know. When we bring it into the open, it is not so scary. We find that recognition of impermanence brings lightness, acceptance and bliss into our lives.

Clinging is just hurtful dependence

Learn to let go of impermanence!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.