Meditation on Impermanence
How do we relate to change? Is it frightening, exhilarating, simply a fact of life? In this guided meditation on impermanence, we observe various waves of experience - from sensations, to sounds, to thoughts and emotions - as they rise and fall. With mindfulness, we can learn to ride the waves rather than be tossed around or dragged under.
Embracing Impermanence Through Meditation
During the fall season, impermanence is particularly apparent, as the trees lose their leaves, vegetation decays, and the days shorten. It is a potent reminder that all things are impermanent, from jobs, to relationships, to ourselves.
How does that make us feel?
Sometimes change can be frightening. At other times, it can be a blessing, as when we recover from an illness, or see a child learning a new skill. But, as Thich Nhat Hahn has said, if we look deeply, we come to realize that change is neither good nor bad -- it just is. He also says that knowing impermanence is a fact isn't enough to remove our fears or increase our joys. Rather, the only way to truly embrace impermanence is to make it a practice. We can see it, feel it, experiment with ways to respond, and then notice whether our response helps or hurts.
We can start small. We can notice the length of an inhale and an exhale. We can notice the bloom and decay of an autumn rose. We can notice the rising and passing away of a thought, sensation, or impulse.
I hope you enjoy this mediation and find it helpful!
— Michelle
This meditation was recorded as part of the "Friday Mindfulness at Noon" sessions on October 29, 2021. To participate, click here.
