September brings with it the feelings of transition. While we still experience hot days, we can’t ignore the leaves begining to fall, the wilting of flowers, or the chill in the air when we wake up. Children feel this transition acutely as they return to school. Whether you’re sad that summer is ending or eager for fall, change is in the air.
This offers us an opportunity to reflect on a core Buddhist principle: impermanence. According to Lion’s Roar, “Impermanence is a foundational concept in Buddhism that all phenomena — including our bodies and thoughts — are subject to change, decay, and death.” Although this is an inarguable fact of life, our resistance to this principle causes us a great deal of suffering. When we have good health, financial security, prestige, exciting relationships, even positive emotions, we cling to them and hope that nothing will change…but inevitably, it does.
However, impermanence doesn’t have to cause suffering. This is beautifully expressed by the late Thich Nhat Hahn: “We need to learn to appreciate the value of impermanence. If we are in good health and are aware of impermanence, we will take good care of ourselves. When we know that the person we love is impermanent, we will cherish our beloved all the more. Impermanences teaches us to respect and value every moment and all the precious things around us and inside of us.”
Let this transition into Autumn be an opportunity to reflect on the value of impermanence. After all, it is because the seasons change that we cherish each one.
Listen to a guided meditation on Impermanence
by Brother Phap Huu of Plum Village (10 mins)
