Impermanence Week 1

“Impermanence is a principle of harmony. When we don't struggle against it, we are in harmony with reality.”

-Pema Chödrön

According to the Oxford dictionary, impermanence means the state or fact of lasting for only a limited period of time.  This month I will review how well renowned spiritual leaders consider this state, and its importance in our lives.

Pema Chödrön is an American-born Tibetan Buddhist. She is an ordained nun, former acharya of Shambhala Buddhism and disciple of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Chödrön has written several dozen books and audiobooks and was principal teacher at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia until her recent retirement in 2020.  Wikipedia. She was a divorced mother of two who became a revered spiritual teacher, writer and retreat leader.  Chödrön explains that when we resist the fundamental uncertainty of our situation we suffer. It sounds very simple, yet we humans struggle with uncertainty and impermanence. Consider this, when has life ever been certain? One thing we know for certain is that all things end. When we can change this mindset of needing certainty to one of accepting uncertainty, life becomes more peaceful. Chödrön encourages people to deal with their challenges and uncertainty with courage, kindness, and humor. Her quote reflects her positive outlook on impermanence, guiding us to see it as being congruent with harmony.

This week notice when you are struggling with acceptance of what is. Self-awareness is the initial step.