Living Amidst Impermanence, Keep Yourself Normal
Life is inherently impermanent, nothing lasts forever. Therefore, instead of worrying or feeling anxious, we should try to live normally.
So, what does normal living mean?
- Whatever comes, we acknowledge that it has come.
- Whatever is unpleasant, we do not get angry at it.
- We must learn to look at life with an open attitude, without excessive attachment or expectations.
Life is always full of ups and downs, moments of glory and moments of failure.
- When young, we are healthy and full of life.
- In business, there are times of great success and times of struggle.
That is completely normal in life. However, because we always expect life to be forever peaceful, to be healthy, wealthy, and happy, when something unexpected happens, we become flustered and uncomfortable.
Understanding Life Through Contemplation
By looking at life with contemplation and a right mindset, we will clearly see the nature of existence.
Why is it that when we are healthy, we don’t know how to cherish it? Why is it that when we are successful, no one brings it up? But when we face failure, we become pessimistic and suffer?
It is because we haven’t understood the impermanence of life. Once we understand it, we will calmly accept whatever comes and goes.
Contemplation – Seeing Life with Wisdom
In Buddhism, this way of looking at life is called contemplation.
Contemplation means we deeply understand the nature of things, without letting emotions cloud the truth. But humans have a tendency to place too many expectations:
- Always wanting to be healthy, wealthy, and successful.
- When facing difficulties, failures, or sickness, we become flustered and lost.
But the truth is, life is exactly like that.
- Everyone will eventually get sick.
- Everyone will eventually grow old.
- Everyone must eventually walk the final path.
That is normal, there is nothing unusual about it. When we realize this, we will no longer be flustered or suffer.
Accept and Live Calmly
Instead of complaining about life, we should accept it with a calm mind:
- When sick, we still treat the illness, still eat properly.
- When facing unpleasant events, we continue to live without letting emotions overwhelm us.
- When we understand the truth of life, we will no longer fear or feel anxious.
Finally, living in impermanence, the most important thing is to keep a calm mind. When we understand this clearly, we will live peacefully, unaffected by the changes of life.
This article is compiled based on a sermon by Venerable Thích Pháp Hòa
