Everything that is produced or compounded comes about through causes and conditions. Therefore, it is impermanent — that is, it changes moment by moment. Why? Since the causal energy is changing each moment, the result must also be in the nature of change. Since the causal energy comes to an end, so must its result.

At the beginning of the day, it is good to reflect, “Everything that arises due to causes and conditions is transient. I’m changing from moment to moment. My friends are transient and changing moment to moment too. All the things I’m trying to achieve are transient, impermanent, and changing.” Thinking in this way helps us to see that there is no use in clinging to any of these things. Letting our negative emotions hook onto any of these things is useless since they are all changing into something else.

That does not mean we stop caring about others or that we become apathetic. Rather, we see that getting worked up, aggravated, stressed, and anxious about these things is inappropriate. It is like trying to stop a waterfall from flowing or the wind from blowing. When things are in the nature of change, the only appropriate response is to relax and try to guide how they change with compassion.

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