Accept impermanence from "summary" of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living by Gary R. McClain,Eve Adamson
Zen teaches us to embrace the idea that everything in life is impermanent. This means that nothing lasts forever, whether it’s good or bad, happy or sad. Impermanence is a fundamental truth of life that we often resist or ignore. We tend to cling to things that bring us pleasure and try to avoid or push away things that cause us pain. However, Zen encourages us to let go of our attachment to the idea of permanence and accept the ever-changing nature of reality. By accepting impermanence, we can find peace and freedom from suffering. When we resist impermanence, we create unnecessary stress and anxiety for ourselves. We become attached to our expectations of how things should be and struggle when reality doesn’t match up. This resistance to change can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and disappointment. Zen teaches us to let go of our need for control and certainty and instead embrace the uncertainty of life. By accepting impermanence, we can learn to go with the flow and adapt to whatever comes our way. Impermanence is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something to be embraced and appreciated. When we accept that everything is temporary, we can fully experience the present moment without worrying about the past or future. This mindset allows us to live more mindfully and authentically, savoring each moment as it arises. By letting go of our attachment to permanence, we can cultivate a sense of gratitude for the ever-changing beauty of life. In this way, accepting impermanence can lead to greater peace, joy, and fulfillment in our lives.
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