An almost impossible lesson to learn. Here we are, ready to give stuff away, donate money to causes, find the perfect gift for a friend; volunteer somewhere, visit a bereaved friend, or help a neighbour move boxes. One day I have a new bike, the next it’s been stolen. Today there’s spare cash, tomorrow the bottom falls out of the nest-egg. One moment I’m healthy, the next my doctor phones to talk about test results.
Nothing, absolutely nothing lasts. Nothing, therefore belongs to me. Not even dreams – vivid one moment, forgotten the next. Jobs, health, love, agility, happiness – seemingly real, up in smoke.
There’s a Zen saying, “The bowl is already broken.” Cherry blossoms in spring: pink, fragile, promise of summer; a gust of wind and no more. A life of toil and trouble, retirement at last: a sudden pain, a tumor spreading; there goes that. A newborn babe: cute, adorable, a miracle; midnight panic, off to emergency, too late.
How about this moment, this breath? Please try a little experiment: place the palm of one hand over your heart space or on your belly, just below the diaphragm. Feel. Listen. … This is all there is.
Jianzhi Sengcan, who died in 606 and is known as the 13th Patriarch after Sidhartha (the “Buddha”), wrote:
“If you’re attached to anything,
you surely will go far astray.
Just let go of clinging mind,
and all things are just as they are,
in essence nothing stays or goes.”
So true, especially at this time of year. Your words are a great gift, Peter.
My first time reading your blog. Your words touched me and what you have said is so true. Nothing is forever, only now is what we have. Thank you, Peter.
welcome onboard, Sarah. Because of something you said (along the lines of “I don’t have time to meditate.”), I’ve posted 2 short Getting Started instructions, each lasting under 10 minutes. To locate them, go to the Home page and click on “Guided Meditations. Hope they’ll help you get (re-)started. peter
Gradations of grey days
Going quite fast.
Hang on to Nothing
’cause Nothing will last!