Everything is Changing

The nature of anything in existence is change. There is nothing that is permanent. Existence is a constantly flowing river. We can either float with the river or fight against it.

Understanding this fundamental truth is the key to living peacefully and reaching enlightenment.

The core teaching in yoga is non-attachment. Since everything is changing, we will suffer if we become attached to anything. Non-attachment allows us to float down the river instead of fighting against it.

This doesn’t mean that you don’t have possessions, relationships, etc., it just means that you understand that they are not permanent. Seeing your life in this way allows you to fully appreciate everything while it’s here and to let it go when it passes. This truth also helps you when you’re going through hard times, knowing suffering is temporary allows you to move through tribulation with grace.

By realizing this fundamental truth, you come to enlightenment. Because everything is changing, including your body and mind, there is no solid “self” anywhere, there is only the flow of existence. Just like the bubbles and waves in a river are temporary (formations of the river itself), “you” are a temporary formation of existence itself. Then, just as the bubble existed as the river before taking its form (and will exist as the river after taking its form), you also existed in the flow of existence before your birth and will continue to exist in the flow after your death. Really, there has never been a “you” here - there is only the river.

Enlightenment is seeing that there is no-self, no-birth, and no-death, there is only the river of existence flowing for eternity.

To live according to the fundamental truth, meditate on change:

1.     Take a comfortable seat

2.     Notice the flow of the breath in your nose. See how it is constantly changing, coming in and going out. No solid “self” here.

3.     Notice your body. See how it is changing, aging each moment, heart pumping, blood flowing, digestion occurring, cells being born and dying. No solid “self” here either.

4.     Notice the sensations in the body. See how they are changing each moment, pleasant and painful sensations coming and going. No solid “self” here.

5.     Notice your thoughts and emotions. See how they are constantly changing too. No solid “self” here either.

6.     Notice your senses. See how your experiences are constantly changing every moment. No solid “self” here.

7.     Notice how everything is in the flow of existence, and how there is no solid “self” anywhere in existence.

8.     Abide here in the flow of existence for some time. Feel how you are the flow.

Try this out, and let us know how it goes!