Mortality is considered a term associated with all phenomena and things of people including body, mind and vision. So what is the real meaning of impermanence? How to practice impermanence? Learn more details about Buddhist objects as well as in the following content.
What is impermanence? Meaning and practice of impermanence
1. What is impermanence?
Transience is a concept used to refer to all those things that can change in successive moments. Things change every minute and every second, so it is impossible for you to have exactly the same and different meanings.
Philosopher Heraclitus once said that you cannot bathe twice in the same river. This saying is absolutely true, because the time you bathe in the river is different, so it is impossible to confirm that the water is the same yesterday and today.
If there is knowledge of impermanence, you will be free from the notions of being the same or different, staying or going. Just as the candle you see today is not the same burning candle of yesterday. They are not two different flames, nor are they the same flame.
impermanence means that everything in nature is always changing unpredictably
2. Meaning of impermanence
Human life is naturally a dream, fleeting and then vanishing into nothingness. Human life too, all things go through a general law of the universe, everything that is born cannot remain stable or last forever.
However, those who do not understand impermanence will always be immersed in bliss, they think that life is eternal, always happy, always bright. Then sometimes people have to face the fact that this form body also gets mixed in the soil.
According to Buddha impermanence is derived from two words, “no” is emptiness, “permanent” is impermanence. Permanence means not staying in one place anymore. Everything, no matter how big or small, has to undergo the disintegration and change of time.
2.1. body impermanent
According to the Buddha’s Dhammapada:
“What is precious in this body?
dirty things always flow
surrounded by disease
old age and death
Today your body is completely different from today. It is a sign of aging and disease. Of course, one cannot be young forever, never grow old, live forever, and never die.
Every human being is born with a temporary body. This form body is the product of the creation of the parents, so karma is bound to live in this body.
Mortality is when you become old and sick, when the body becomes weak Light and darkness are lost in a moment. A person can change form rapidly in just a second. As time passes, we grow up, a little older, this is also the time when death is near. Realizing this impermanence, people no longer serve the illusory body of existence. Thereby getting a correct perspective on impermanence.
Our body is just a temporary hiding place, no one can live a full life
2.2. mind is impermanent
Like our body, our mind is also considered impermanent. It can change rapidly, rapidly and extremely delicately. Buddha has a saying “Horse Mindfulness”, which means that humans are like gibbons crossing branches, like galloping horses. Sometimes it looks like this, sometimes it looks different. All the emotions in the mind keep on changing from one state to another, such as happiness, sadness, anger, tension etc.
One thought that arises can be replaced by another thought, constantly changing, causing us to lose control and forget the thoughts in the mind. A simple example, this morning itself you feel motivated and excited to work, but in the afternoon you give up, lack determination. Thus, it can be seen that the human mind is constantly changing.
The human mind can change immeasurably and be difficult to control if you don’t really understand the meaning of the mind of mortals.
Praise, condemnation, love, hatred, sorrow, joy etc. are completely unreal things in life. Seeing something beautiful or smelling a cool fragrance can bring love and remembrance to our mind.
Even a little contrary to the mind makes the mind sad, angry and confused. Experiencing those feelings shows that worldly views always dominate the human mind. If we have realized the impermanent nature of the mind, we will no longer be affected by thoughts of pleasure and pain. Instead, a peaceful, happy life.
2.3. anomalous circumstances
Everything in the universe is self-created and self-destructive according to the laws of nature. They were born to survive, grow old and fade away. The Buddha taught that life is impermanent, always changing and moves according to the laws of the universe. So what you have is not necessarily permanent, but it can change in an instant.
According to Buddha, there are four things in life that cannot last long, which are:
- persistence must be destroyed
- rich will be poor
- harmony must be destroyed
- be strong and die
The same is true of human life, there are many people who are in high positions and they have the habit of arrogance. However, due to an impulsive moment, unable to control greed, violated a taboo and fell into the prison of justice. Of course, there are people who are enjoying wealth, luxurious houses, servants… but their careers end in a minute of falling.
Yes and no, the line between profit and loss is very thin indeed
3. Impermanence gives everything a chance
When things change all the time, we can feel sad, insecure, and miserable. But it is this change that makes mortality more positive. Through impermanence, we have the opportunity to create unexpected miracles.
So instead of complaining about the impermanence of life, we should rejoice in it, enjoy the miracle of impermanence, then the sorrow will pass, the light will pave the way.
Because of impermanence there is an opportunity to turn everything in a positive direction
4. Practice Impermanence
Everyone can understand the impermanence of the mind, but it will be difficult to lead us to liberation. Only when you have sufficient stability and concentration can you practice looking deeply. The more deeply you look into the nature of impermanence, the more you can contemplate a deeper understanding. From there, the meaning of mortality becomes who we are.
Practice mortal anytime, anywhere
We ourselves must maintain the knowledge of impermanence and practice it daily, which means you must live with impermanence all the time. Developing a perception of impermanence helps us to meditate and practice with ease.
An easy-to-understand example of how to practice mortality is to think about our children, when they grow up, get married, and can’t be with us forever. So love and cherish each and every moment your baby is at home with us.
In short, understanding the nature of impermanence, you will be calm before the storms, changes of life, no longer indulge in temporary pleasures, or suffer before the scene of death and separation. Buddhist objects I hope you will start practicing impermanence, transform yourself, transform illusion into enlightenment and move towards a great spiritual life.
Wish you Amitabh Buddha!
