Many of us have experienced crippling anxiety at the news that a major change in our lives is about to happen; but since learning about impermanence, my life has become way easier!
My teenage years were filled with what seemed like one disaster after another. Cancer took my mother, my grandparents who took care of my sister and I were distant, and the moment I could enlist and leave for the Army I did. I had big plans for the Army, but less than a year later I was home and starting over again. Then from there, I experienced a series of bad jobs, bad relationships, and more. Life felt like a big hassle with almost no reward. I became paranoid thinking the next big disaster was always around the corner, and when things changed I always assumed the worst.
Then, decades of habitual angst and worry disappeared once I learned and reflected on the concept of impermanence. “Impermanence” is just that – nothing is permanent, nothing lasts forever. By recognizing and accepting it some amazing things happen:
First of all, facing challenges became way easier. No matter how difficult or daunting a life event came to be I would remind myself that the challenge would pass in time. Sometimes I had the power to move on faster, and sometimes I didn’t, but the comfort of knowing things would change in time made many challenges easier to swallow.
Secondly, accepting that things will change allowed me to appreciate the smaller things in life. A snack, a co-worker, an article of clothing, and a working car all suddenly felt more valuable to me in the moment. It created a gratitude for what I already had.
Third, it discourages me from buying “stuff”. I used to collect video games but after 15 years of collecting I needed to move and the games couldn’t come with me. It caused me enormous anxiety and stress trying to unload the collection. In the months leading up to the move I realized that the youthful memories of the games were what I really wanted to experience. Now I frequently talk myself out of needless purchases and focus more on the “why.” Do I really need XYZ or later will I suffer trying to get rid of it?
These are just three examples of my personal benefits of embracing impermanence.
The Buddha’s teachings on impermanence are a central aspect of Buddhist philosophy. Impermanence, or “anicca” in Pali, is one of the three marks of existence in Buddhism, along with suffering (dukkha) and non-self (anatta). The Buddha taught that all conditioned phenomena are impermanent. Here are a few key points that encapsulate what the Buddha said about impermanence:
- Everything Is Subject to Change: The Buddha taught that everything in the physical and mental realms is transient and constantly changing. This includes our bodies, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness.
- Impermanence of Life: The Buddha often spoke about the impermanence of life, emphasizing that all living beings are subject to aging, illness, and death. Understanding this is key to understanding the nature of existence.
- Impermanence and Suffering: The Buddha taught that ignorance of impermanence is a major cause of suffering. People suffer because they cling to things, expecting them to be permanent and unchanging. When those things inevitably change or end, it leads to dissatisfaction and suffering.
- Impermanence Leads to Enlightenment: Recognizing and accepting impermanence is crucial for spiritual growth in Buddhism. This understanding helps to let go of attachments and aversions, leading to a state of equanimity and, ultimately, to enlightenment.
- The Impermanence of All Things: The Buddha taught that not just living beings, but all phenomena – including objects, thoughts, and experiences – are impermanent. Everything is in a constant state of flux.
- Impermanence as a Practice: In many Buddhist practices, meditators are encouraged to contemplate the impermanence of all things as a way to cultivate detachment and a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.
