Impermanence Part 1

Well as most of you'll know, I am studying religion now but with a focus on Buddhism. I find Buddhism fascinating basically because their pratice is to cultivate the mind so that one can be mindful and see things better and clearer. And most of the readers would know that I am a very 'mind' person because I like to contemplate a lot. Which explains why I am so curious, am able to absorb knowledge, have good but misguided memory and good mind qualities overall. :P Hahaha! Pardon me for blowing my own trumpet. Hehe!

Anyway, one of the main principles in Buddhism is Impermanence, means that things are always in a flux. There is nothing that is permanent. Now I know some readers going to argue with me saying, "The only thing that is permanent is impermanence." You can argue this sentence for all you want but I will not go along, because there will not be any benefit derived in arguing abt it. I rather do something more constructive, in my opinion of course. :)

So if one see impermanence in many things surrounding him, there is a lot of benefits for him. First thing is we will not take things for granted. Because we know some day, it will not be with us or we might not be with them, when forced by circumstances. By not taking things for granted, we will not have deep regret when the day comes where we have to leave behind the things we treasure the most because we have done our best to be with them.

Seeing impermanence, we know that the things that we have now will not be with us forever. If that is the case, why not, where possible, let go these things earlier and give to people who can benefit from them more than us? For instance, money. We know money will not be with us forever, or we cannot bring with us to our grave. If that is the case, why not give a part of it to charity (meaningful ones of course), that is after considering your financial needs. And as I mentioned in my previous blog entry, doing charity can create bigger things for you in the end. By the way, if you are at the receiving end, do rejoice about it. This will make the giver happy and it will make you happy as well, since you have someone willing to give you something. Cheers to that! :D

Seeing impermanence, it gives us certain hope, in sensible situations of course. For instance, when we met with failure, always see that this failure or setback can be recovered from. The effects of a setback is not permanent. How long the effects stays with you greatly depends on how your actions later disprove it, again as I mentioned in my previous blog entry.

Seeing impermanence, we can see through time to a certain extent. For example, you can see a mug as a functional mug or a mug that is broken into pieces or just clay. With these in mind, you will again not take things for granted and always be prepared to take appropriate actions.

Seeing impermanence, you know that when you plan, you must allow some room for changes or have contingency plans. With that in mind, you will be better prepared for things that might disrupt your plans, giving you ample time to react to emergencies.

Seeing impermanence, one should not be inside his comfort zone for too long because you never know when you might be kick out of it. The only way not to be kick out of your comfort zone is to always stay at the boundary of your comfort zone and keep on expanding it while you are there.

Seeing impermanence, why go for fortune telling or get someone to tell your future? Because of impermanence, things are always in a flux so who can tell you what WILL happen in your future? The only certain things in your future, is your death and that we do not have any idea when it will happen, again because of impermanence.

Well. these are my thoughts on impermanence at the moment. Readers who have comments do feel free to give it to me. Cheers.