I’m likely not alone, but it’s been difficult for me to find a whole lot to be positive about right now. There seems to be something coming at us from all fronts and the rapid pace of changes and shifts in everything is giving me a bit of whiplash. So trying to find something to write about this week that can offer you a sense of hope, or even the tiniest glimmer of light, wasn’t easy. But then I remembered what I have been telling myself recently: this too shall pass.
We live in a world that is constantly shifting, yet as humans, we often resist change. We grasp with futility at moments, relationships, and even identities, wanting them to remain fixed. But at the core of existence is a simple truth: nothing is permanent. This concept of impermanence, deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy, offers both a challenge and an invitation - a challenge to let go of our illusions of control and an invitation to embrace life in its most authentic form.
“It is not impermanence that makes us suffer. What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

The Nature of Impermanence
Impermanence, or anicca in Buddhist teachings, is one of the three marks of existence, along with suffering (dukkha) and non-self (anatta). It suggests that all things - our thoughts, bodies, experiences, and even entire civilizations - are in a state of continuous flux. What seems solid today will eventually dissolve, evolve, or disappear.
This realization is both unsettling and liberating. When we first confront impermanence, it can trigger fear. We may resist the idea that what we love will fade or that we ourselves will change in ways we cannot predict. Yet impermanence is also what makes life precious. A flower's bloom is beautiful precisely because it does not last forever. A sunset is breathtaking because it fades. The fleeting nature of life is what gives it depth and meaning.
The Emotional Paradox of Impermanence
Our struggle with impermanence is deeply tied to our emotions. We often seek to hold onto what brings us joy while pushing away discomfort. But impermanence means that both joy and sorrow will pass. The laughter of a child, the warmth of a summer day, the pain of heartbreak - all are temporary.
This can feel disorienting, but impermanence also carries a hidden gift: nothing is stuck. Just as difficult times will inevitably shift, so too will our sense of self. The version of ourselves that feels overwhelmed today will not be the same version of us a year from now. This understanding can bring a sense of resilience.
When we embrace impermanence, we stop clinging. We allow ourselves to experience emotions fully without fearing their disappearance. We can love without trying to possess. We can grieve without feeling like loss defines us. In this way, impermanence becomes not a source of suffering, but a pathway to peace.
The Illusion of Stability
Modern society thrives on the illusion of permanence. We build institutions, form traditions, and craft identities that seem stable. We seek job security, lifelong relationships, and predictability in an unpredictable world. Yet, history reminds us that empires fall, industries transform, and even the most carefully planned lives take unexpected turns. With what we are seeing in the world right now, with many countries’ governments seemingly on the brink of collapse, this illusion is more evident than ever. On a more micro level, we are seeing this in our program as well. Changes can feel unwelcome and unstable.
The desire for stability is understandable. We find comfort in routine and structure. But when we mistake stability for permanence, we set ourselves up for suffering. A relationship may feel unshakable until it changes. A career may seem predictable until an industry shifts. Instead of resisting change, we can prepare ourselves to navigate it with grace.
Relationships are perhaps where we feel impermanence most acutely. Friendships evolve, loved ones pass away, and people grow in different directions. It is easy to mourn what once was, but impermanence also allows for new connections, deeper bonds, and the transformation of love. When we cling too tightly to a relationship, we suffocate it. Love, at its most profound, exists in the present moment. Instead of fearing change, we can embrace the unfolding nature of relationships, appreciating each phase for what it offers.
Impermanence teaches us that saying goodbye is as natural as saying hello. It reminds us to cherish the people in our lives while they are here, without the illusion that they (or we) will remain unchanged. We often define ourselves by fixed identities: “I am this kind of person,” “I always act this way,” or “This is what I believe.” But impermanence applies to our inner world as much as the external one. Our thoughts, habits, and even our sense of self are constantly shifting.
This realization can be unsettling, but it is also empowering. If nothing about us is permanent, then change is always possible. We are not locked into old patterns or mistakes. Growth is not only possible but inevitable.
The idea of a “permanent self” is an illusion. The self that existed five years ago is not the same self that exists today. And the self of tomorrow will be different still. By recognizing this, we can approach life with more curiosity and openness rather than fear of change.
Impermanence is not just a philosophical idea; it is something we can experience in each moment. Mindfulness is a powerful way to engage with this truth.
When we practice mindfulness, we observe our thoughts and emotions without attachment. We recognize that a moment of frustration is just that - a moment. A wave of joy is temporary, but that makes it all the more valuable. The practice of mindfulness helps us cultivate presence. Instead of clinging to the past or worrying about the future, we can engage fully with the now. And when we do, we see that impermanence is not something to fear - it is something to celebrate.
Letting Go: The Ultimate Freedom
At the heart of impermanence is the art of letting go. Letting go does not mean indifference. It means experiencing life fully without grasping at it. We can love deeply while accepting that love will change. We can pursue goals without being attached to the outcome. We can embrace each moment, knowing it will pass, but that another will follow.
When we stop resisting impermanence, we find freedom. We no longer need to control every aspect of life. We can move with the flow rather than against it. And in doing so, we discover a deeper peace - one that is not dependent on external conditions, but rooted in the acceptance of life as it is.
Impermanence is not a problem to solve but a reality to embrace. It is what makes life dynamic, beautiful, and rich with meaning. Rather than fearing change, we can learn to dance with it, appreciating the fleeting nature of each moment. While there are certainly things that may be bringing you fear right now, I encourage you to take a moment of peace and reflection on impermanence.
In the end, impermanence reminds us to live fully. To love without grasping, to grow without fear, and to embrace life in all its uncertainty. It is not something to lament but something to cherish - because without impermanence, nothing would be possible. Impermanence can be that silver lining when all seems too much. It's that glimmer that things not only can change, but just like everything in life, inevitably will change.
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