Buddhism: Impermanence & Emptiness

In this talk and guided practice, we examine the concepts of impermanence, suffering, and emptiness, which are called the three marks of existence in Buddhist philosophy. Understanding the truth of impermanence and emptiness allows us to let go of attachment to aspects of self-identity, and to allow ourselves to move closer to perceiving reality as it is, and ourselves as we are. In so doing, we release unnecessary suffering and move towards the natural state. 25min talk, 20min guided meditation

Reviews

Wonderful. I will need to listen to this talk on Emptiness again- probably several times. This example of the vase was helpful.
Grateful to you.

Thomas,
As always, thank you again for these talks and meditations.
Listening and meditating on Thanksgiving day.
And Happy Thanksgiving to you.
What I thought was emptiness is not empty at all. And I'm able to redefine who I thought I was (which I wasn't proud of to be honest) but see we are so much more. We're connected to everything.
Question: Would it be correct to say that emptiness also equals potential?

This is deep and vast and somehow very comforting. Thank you for your kind service. 🙏

Thank you Thomas

So beautiful to think of the entire universe conspiring to make us.
Thank you as always for your guidance and teaching🙏🏻

I see the great value of detachment from identity, fixations and thought constructs. I trust in impermanene of form. A part of me holds to the idea of essence. In my heart it feels like a space to small to see with a mircroscope yet as vast as the universe. The cells of tissue, organ and skelleton all holding a large amount of the periodic table of elements and fire with electrical charges of nerve and neuron. Each cell full of living energy that dies is consumed and reborn. My mind so full of synaptic firing , chemicals and knowing, while still other parts are under my conscious awareness. This all seems like essence to me. Yes it will change and is never the same yet the energy of breath and light and chemical compounds will go somewhere? Change into something. I think of this as essence. Perhaps my definition is flawed? I concede
it is possible my desire for enternal life is delusion based on bias ,fear or both. Yet this nagging sub conscious memeory taps me on the shoulder to remind me of ecstatic experience ,visions and visulization, stillnes deep levels of peace, euphora , pain, suffering and mourning all experienced in relational sensing of other and I. The bliss of the Budda mind or the mind of Christ seems to shine with essence to me. This could be called the Holy Spirit , Divine, Higher Power, Higher Self, True self, Soul, Source, Life Force, Prana, Spirit , Incarnation or Essence.

I James am not who I think I am yet I am a part of a bigger I or maybe not. I choose to double down on the little i in the big I.

Much love and respect to you my friend. Your work has been a valuable gift in my healing journey.

Having said all that essence is just a word or idea and I can let it go with great pleasue as you guide the meditation. It is wonderful to be a vessel that holds something very beautiful. Much repect and grattitude. 🕊️🕯️❤️‍🔥🙏🏻

This meditation is perfect for where i am at now. My husband of 35 years recently died. I find I need to talk and hear others talk about impermanence. and the meditation brought me to an amazing place 🙏 namaste

thank you, i have found those two talks and will listen to them soon

What a great talk + meditation! Thanks Thomas. 🌀🌏

Thank you for the focus on emptiness and how that promotes non-attachment to thoughts and emotions. It is easy to buy into the illusion of permanence but your teaching and reminder that "this too will change" has given me a great focus for my day.

Familiar concepts, well knit together.

Thank you

Thank you Thomas! It was a mystical experience, far far away from the ego 🙏✨💕