Contemplating Impermanence

Last updated on: October 1, 2022 at 5:11 pm by Daniel Scharpenburg

Contemplating Impermanence 2022-09-19T11:08:34-05:00 Daniel Scharpenburg

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This is part of a series of teachings from Jigme Lingpa’s Steps to the Great Perfection.

This is a teaching from the Mind Training Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

The first mind training in the Dzogchen tradition is Contemplating Impermanence.

A text called The Child Scripture says, “Reflect on the fact that all conditioned phenomena are impermanent.”

We tend to think we can hold onto things but we can’t. The truth is we are losing things all the time and we all know that. You can’t hold onto anything in this world. This could really frighten us, or we can work to keep in mind that this means the things we don’t like pass too. Reflecting on impermanence helps us to not try to cling to tightly to everything all the time. It also helps with our tendency toward self obsession.

Longchen Rabjam, an important teacher in this tradition, said, “Without getting distracted, even for a moment, ask yourself wholeheartedly, ‘I wonder if I will die this evening, or perhaps tomorrow?’ All sentient beings that you see will die as well, so meditate on the thought ‘When will these beings pass away?’ Contemplating in this way will help you see that all conditioned phenomena are impermanent by nature. Seeing them as examples of impermanence will help your mind become more focused. The purpose of meditating in this manner is to turn your mind away from impermanence.”

There’s a concept in Buddhism called Precious Human Life. The idea behind this is that we shouldn’t waste our lives. We could die at any time, so this means that living in the best way that we can is something we should take seriously. Don’t waste your life. Impermanence applies to us too. We arise and pass away just like everything else.

Jigme Lingpa says, “Carefully consider that nothing has the power to stay still even for a moment. Cultivate intense diligence as if your hair were on fire. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Here is a guided visualization practice from Steps to the Great Perfection:

mind training

steps to the great perfection

Previous Post

September 19, 2022

Stanzas of Mind Training (recorded talks)

Next Post

October 8, 2022 Ten Non-Virtues

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 37 Practices blog bodhisattva book review boundless heart buddha buddhism buddhism for beginners compass of zen compassion dhammapada dharma emptiness Faith in Mind fearless heart han shan impermanence inspiration interfaith koans life Lojong mahayana meditation mind training mirror of zen movie review nagarjuna news questions recording song of mind steps to the great perfection suffering sutras suttas Uncategorized vajrayana video videos zen

Select a Month July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 September 2021 August 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 August 2020 June 2020 May 2020 August 2019 March 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 October 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was a biblical measurement of a span?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Quarter cubit Third of a cubit Half a cubit Full cubit

Support this
Column