Impermanence Awareness - Open Awareness Open Mind Series

This practice will allow you to let go of your attachments by gently focusing your mind on the five rememberances, namely aging, sickness, death, loved ones and actions. It is a practice to do on a regular basis and not one to be done once and then forgotten. If you become overly emotional while doing the meditation, simply open your eyes and try it again another day.

Transcript

This is a guided meditation practice from Buddhism Guide called Impermanence Awareness Meditation.

Sit comfortably and lightly close your eyes.

Let's start by doing three calming breaths.

So breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.

Hold the breath.

And breathe the air out through your mouth.

Again,

Breathe in through your nose.

Hold the breath.

And breathe the air out through your mouth.

One more time,

Breathe in.

Hold.

And breathe out.

Now breathe normally.

Don't force the breath.

Just let it find its own rhythm.

Everything is subject to death and decay.

Our possessions,

Friends,

Family and even our physical bodies.

Life is like an unstoppable river rushing towards the ocean.

I want you to look back over your life.

At all the things you've seen,

The things you've done and the places you've been.

Now look back at all the people you've met in your life.

Where are they now?

Now think back to when you were younger.

See how the years have changed you emotionally,

Mentally and physically.

We're now going to contemplate the five remembrances.

Firstly,

Contemplate this.

I am sure to grow old.

I can't avoid aging.

Now contemplate this.

I am sure to get sick.

I cannot avoid illness.

Now contemplate.

I am sure to die.

I can't avoid death.

Now contemplate the fourth remembrance.

I must be parted from all that is dear and beloved to me.

Finally,

Contemplate this.

I am the owner and the heir of my actions.

I will reap the fruit of my actions,

For better or worse.

Before we finish,

I want you to see if these remembrances have helped loosen your attachment to people,

Possessions or even your own physical body.

In a moment,

You'll hear the final three bells.

Once the bells have finished,

Just very slowly start to open your eyes and sit there a moment to allow yourself to return to the outside world.

Now contemplate this.

Reviews

I found this very calming. It brought focus to now and what matters today, removing any worry about anything else. Some things are eminent and worrying about them will only get in the way of happiness now. Thank you for this calming reminder.

A thought-provoking meditation; calm and relaxing too, thank you for sharing it 🙏🏻🙏🏻

I contemplate the 5 remembrances every day during my walking meditation. They are so grounding and they encourage me to enjoy my day to the fullest!
Thank you for your offering, Lama Yeshe!
Donna

As I was doing this, I began to question whether I had picked the wrong meditation for today. I felt that I need a pick me up and here I was contemplating loss and decay. Suddenly it struck me that the reason I need a lift was because I have been trying (and failing) to recreate something from the past. Once that hit me, I realised that I needed to create something fresh, not try to rebuild something that has gone. The last part of the meditation, about being responsible for my own actions really brought home to me that I need to do what is needed.

Thank you for this meditation that helps us accept impermanence and continue flowing with the natural way of life.

It wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be. A useful reflection

The five rememberences are so helpful in bringing awareness to the preciousness of life.

Difficult topic, great meditation and chance to deeply reflect. Thank you.

That was a difficult one! Really shows me how attached I am to all kinds of things.

Short but complete contemplation of the five remembrances. Thank you.

It sounds grim to meditate on death and decay, but I found it oddly soothing.

Different from his other guided meditations but equally good

Very important practice, nothing in life stays the same , everything in the end ceases to exist , there’s no point in worrying about anything really🙏

This was really good, just what I needed, and i will be doing this practice regularly. Thank you,🙏

Lovely impermanence. Thank you.

Brief and gentle reminders about the impermanence of ourselves and the factors of our lives.

I feel I am on a journey and the older I become, the words spoken by you, are very raw and very clear. I will listen again.

Kept me conscious and aware throughout the meditation

Thank you for sharing this insightful practice. I am in a pleasant state of peace & plan to return often to deepen my acceptance & understanding. 🙏🏼💝✨

This is much to consider and I intend to listen frequently. Thank you as it does aid in changing perspectives.