The Depth of Change
If you spend too much time fearing change, you will forget to celebrate it.
Everything within the universe of mind and matter exists because of the movement of change.
Every conceivable level – from the atomic, to the molecular, to the mental and to the conventional level where we live our lives – is constantly in motion. This pervasive ephemeral quality is everywhere, impacting reality, whether we are aware of it or not. Without the undercurrent of change, life itself would not be possible.
Since human beings have the vast majority of their awareness focused on the conventional level, it becomes easy to forget that changes big and small are currently happening and are bound to continue occurring. The rapid speed of change at the atomic level is so hard for the mind to grasp that it falls into the category of something that is easy to ignore. The slower changes of planets and stars feel so far removed that they are also easily disregarded. Even in our local lives, impermanence is an afterthought until something significant happens that makes this truth unavoidable.
All the things we love arise into being because the ups and downs of change have given them their shape. The people we cherish, the moments that brought us joy, the victories that helped us heal and live better – all of these things were facilitated by change. If all things were static, there would be nothing new. Our very lives are the product of change.
Change is easy to recognize when it takes things away. Endings are louder than beginnings. Loss is more easily remembered than gratitude. If we are to strike a healthy mental balance, we need to honor the fact that love, joy, and compassion – the sweetest parts of life, actually become stronger and clearer the more we embrace the reality of change. Instead of passively hating change, we are better off trying to understand it. Change may take things away, but it is also the great giver that fills us with happiness and wisdom.
Many mental struggles have their origin in the resistance to change. When the mind becomes attuned to change, dissatisfaction and mental struggle will naturally decrease. One of our greatest mental enemies is the fight against change; so much of our inner tension is because our attachment to keeping the pleasant parts of life the same will eventually crash upon the shore of change. Everything is impermanent, no matter how sweet or difficult. When the awareness of change matures, it washes away attachment and makes room for a loving presence which peacefully accepts that all things arise and ultimately pass away.
Journal Prompt:
What is your relationship to change? Is there room for you to more deeply accept that everything has a beginning and an ending? Are you recognizing all of the good things change has brought into your life?
Book Recommendation:
One of my all-time favorite books is Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse. In my opinion it is his best book and truly demonstrates the mastery of his story telling and lyrical ability. The beauty of this book really leaves me in awe.