Before you think I am going yada yada yada about impermanence, bear with me a second. In Buddhist literature, we learn about the Truth of impermanence. From this Truth, we learn detachment. We do not cling to things and we let go.

If you read my previous post, I always remind my readers that when we contemplate impermanence, we should not become depressed. This is very important because many self-taught or book-read Buddhist may not know about it.

The goal of Buddhism is to achieve happiness. Therefore, the Dharma is not meant to point you towards depression or sadness. For beginners, impermanence is sad and depressing. Thus, impermanence is suffering. This is because

• we were taught to look at it in that way, by the unenlightened world since young.
• And because we have attachment. We were taught attachment is good.

Therefore, when we first read about Buddha’s message regarding impermanence, it is natural that it evokes a sense of lost, unhappiness, and etc. People start to misunderstand Buddhism as being pessimistic.

That is pre-enlightenment.

If you stop at that, then you have missed the mark. In the metaphor of “the finger pointing at the moon.” you are focusing on the finger and failing to see the moon.

However, if you continue to practice and contemplate without giving up.  We start to embrace this Truth of impermanence. It is simply a part of our existence, part of nature, the course of the universe (yada, yada, yada)

We begin to understand that from impermanence, new possibility becomes possible. Possibility of happiness and improvement; ultimately possibility of ENLIGHTENMENT.

therefore, while the rest of the world still feel negative about impermanence, a Buddhist feels positive instead!

That positive feeling about this Truth of our existence (in Samsara) is a very powerful force. Can you imagine how positive that person can be? Staring at impermanence and not feeling an ounce of negative emotion?

That positiveness in thoughts and emotion, attracts positive things in life. Ultimately, everything is mind.

To help good things manifest in life, we learn about Karma. We do positive things to get positive results.

And when we practice meditation or chanting to boost our mental power, our positive mind becomes a dynamo of positive energy that radiate like the Sun.

That is the secret.

But you cannot fake it. You cannot simply read this post and think that you have it. You still need to practice. Practice until that switch in the mind is flipped and turned on.

1. Embrace the truth spoken by Buddha. Impermanence is suffering (for the unenlightened). Learn to see it instead of hiding from it. It is everywhere.
2. Create good karma by observing the Buddhist precepts
3. Train our mind to be calm and balanced. Focused and kind. (meditate or chant)
4. Learn detachment in our mind. Remember, letting go allows better things to manifest. Letting go of samsara, you find nirvana.
5. Impermanence will gradually be less troubling. No matter what happen in life, you will be capable of staying positive.

That is why, many Buddhist starts to experience positive changes to their life after they start practicing Buddhism.

If you practice correctly, things will somehow fall nicely into place and life unfold neatly and situations become better. Now that you know, it is no longer “somehow”.

It is because of that positiveness in our mind. Don’t loose sight of it.

That confidence in our refuge.

That acceptance of Truth (Buddha Dharma)

That transformation of our mind.

May all be well and happy.

The secret about contemplating impermanence

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