The Buddha spoke of gross impermanence and subtle impermanence. Gross impermanence refers to the big changes that we can see. Death is part of gross impermanence, as are all the changes that we see and know. Then there is subtle impermanence, the momentary change that is automatically going on where things arise, abide, and disintegrate — all at the same time, all at the same moment, not enduring for another second.

We live amidst this subtle and gross impermanence. This is the nature of functioning things. We use that awareness to give energy to our Dharma practice. Through the awareness of death, for example, we realise how important it is to practise. Through the experience of friends dying, we leaving them, or other kinds of gross impermanence, we understand the importance of not being attached. Instead, we can look back on relationships, events, and situations and simply rejoice that they happened, and that we had that opportunity to share the Dharma and others in the way we did. We take what we had learnt with us into the future, into the continuing impermanence of our lives. We bring that same non-attachment, coupled with loving kindness, into all our new relationships, which are also changing moment by moment. In this way, we make what we do meaningful without our minds getting attached.

“365 Gems of Wisdom” e-book is out now!