Hello,
My name is Ni and welcome to today's meditation on impermanence.
Buddha's final words express impermanence as inescapable.
Everything vanishes.
Therefore,
There is nothing more important than continuing the path with diligence.
When we spend time contemplating on impermanence,
Naturally it will lead to thoughts of loss,
Loss of time,
Loss of people,
Loss of things and perhaps even death.
Once we accept our own impermanence,
We aspire not to waste time on meaningless activities or on behaviors that create more dissatisfaction.
The truth is impermanence really amplifies our wish to be free as birds.
We aspire,
We wish to really take advantage of the rare circumstances and situations and opportunities that come our way before we lose them.
When we can cultivate a beautiful relationship with impermanence,
Our perception of impermanence remains steady.
Then we can begin to close that gap,
You know,
Bridge that gap between how we think things should be and how they actually are.
Now I'd invite you to find a nice and comfortable position sitting upright with your back straight in a relaxed posture.
You can gently close your eyes or if you like,
You can also keep it open.
Now take a moment to rest your awareness.
Just pay attention to the sensations,
The feelings inside your body and listen.
Listen to your heartbeat.
Listen to the sounds around you.
Rest in your breath.
Now choose an object that invites you to contemplate impermanence.
You might choose your own body or that of another person or a pet.
Maybe it's an animal,
A tree.
It could be anything that you wish.
Now as you examine this object,
Consider how it has already changed since its inception.
How it's already changed since being physically born on this earth.
Now investigate how it changes from moment to moment.
If you become distracted,
Just pause,
Come back to your breath and continue.
And perhaps you can consider asking the questions,
Are the years of my life slipping by?
Has everything changing from moment to moment?
Does anyone ever live forever?
Understand?
Describe your lifetime.
You can customize your life for as long as you can!
Now I invite you to slowly come back to this space.
And just pay attention to how you're feeling in this moment.
How does impermanence feel for you right now in this moment?
According to Ming-yeo Rinpoche,
Accepting the impermanence of all phenomena is the best antidote to suffering.
So in what areas in your life can you accept the impermanence and rest in its beauty and gloriousness that all we have is this present moment?
Just like the seasons,
We all go through cycles of death and rebirth.
So in what ways can you accept the impermanence and rest in its beauty and gloriousness that all we have is this present moment?
