Wisdom lies in accepting the impermanent nature of existence from "summary" of Waking Up by Sam Harris
The fundamental characteristic of human consciousness is its impermanence. Thoughts, sensations, emotions, and perceptions arise and pass away from one moment to the next. This is not an abstract principle; it is a matter of moment-to-moment experience. We can be aware of the ceaseless change in the contents of consciousness, but we rarely pay attention to the consciousness itself. The nature of one's own mind may be the most elusive thing that anyone can investigate, but it is also the most important. To be ignorant of the nature of one's mind is to be ignorant of the nature of everything. This is why an understanding of the nature of consciousness is the most important thing that one can seek to understand. It is a fact that our bodies are constantly changing and will one day die. The impermanence of our bodies is undeniable, but the impermanence of our minds is less obvious. To discover the truth of our minds, we must investigate our experience with the same rigor that we apply to the study of the external world. The impermanent nature of consciousness has been known to contemplatives for thousands of years, but it is only recently that science has begun to confirm their insights. The realization of this impermanence has profound implications for our lives. When we understand that our thoughts, emotions, and sensations are fleeting, we can begin to see that attachment to them is the cause of much of our suffering. By letting go of our attachment to the contents of consciousness, we can find a deeper sense of peace and well-being. The impermanence of consciousness is not a theoretical truth; it is a practical reality that one can discover for oneself through the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to one's experience in the present moment without judgment. By observing the changing nature of our thoughts, emotions, and sensations, we can see that they are not who we are. We are the awareness that knows these things. This awareness is not a thing that can be grasped or possessed; it is the space in which all things arise and pass away. By resting in this awareness, we can find a freedom that is not dependent on the changing conditions of life. The wisdom of accepting the impermanent nature of existence lies in the realization that our suffering is caused by our attachment to things that are fleeting. When we let go of our attachment to the contents of consciousness, we can find a deeper sense of peace and well-being that is not dependent on external conditions.
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