Lens of Adaptation: Impermanence
Lenses, in the context of the Beacons of Everyday Enlightenment represent more specific concepts and practices through which we can understand the rich meaning of each Beacon. There are Primary Lenses, which are the most commonly understood and most robust meditative concepts, and there are Other Lenses which are a collection of other closely related ideas for that Beacon.
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| Lens: Impermanence | |
|---|---|
| Beacons | Adaptation |
| Landmarks | Impermanence Basic Understanding |
Impermanence, a fundamental concept deeply woven into the fabric of existence, is the understanding that all phenomena, without exception, are in a constant state of change. This Lens focuses on observing the transitory nature of thoughts, emotions, sensations, and external circumstances. When we fully internalize this concept, we realize that everything we experience — joy, suffering, thoughts, identities — are not static but are dynamic and fleeting. This understanding leads to an acceptance and even an embracing of change, contributing to a sense of calm, resilience, and peace amidst the ebb and flow of life. The reality of impermanence invites us to live fully in the present moment, cherishing it as a unique and unrepeatable snapshot of life.
Landmarks
The Realms of Everyday Enlightenment each have some noticeable Landmarks which show the likely alignment someone within that Realm has with each of the Beacons and their various Lenses. These Landmarks are things that need to be noticed and explored in the context of those Lenses and Beacons. And then through working on the Trails and Guides these Landmarks will serve as markers toward the next Realm where new Landmarks await.
Landmarks of Enrollment
Landmark: Impermanence Basic Understanding
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| Landmark: Impermanence Basic Understanding | |
|---|---|
| Beacons | Adaptation |
| Realms | Enrollment |
| Lenses | Impermanence |
| Guides | Eating |
| Trails | Learn About Adaptation |
The Landmark of Impermanence Basic Understanding asks whether you are aware of the impermanence of all things at all times, that they are changing, decaying, and will not last.
Review these questions to see if you have fully explored this Landmark and are ready to move on.
Landmark Lookouts:
- Notice Things Appear Solid: Are you able to notice how much we rely on the idea that things are solid and reliable?
- Think About How Things Won't Last: Can you feel a shift in perception as you think about something's impermanence, and how everything is going to change and decay over time?
A ready example of Impermanence can be found when you are drinking water.
- Next time you reach for your trusty water bottle, pause before you take a sip. We're going to try something.
- Hold the bottle in your hands. Really feel its weight, texture, temperature. Notice its shape, its color, its solidity.
- Seems permanent, right? It's a bottle, it's there, and it's real.
- Now, give it a little shake. Hear the water sloshing around inside? That's change right there. The water is moving, it's active. It's never the same from one moment to the next.
- Now take a sip. Feel the water going down your throat, refreshing and cool. The level of the water in the bottle has changed. The weight is different. Even the temperature might have changed slightly with your hand wrapped around it.
- So, even though it's still a bottle, it's not exactly the same bottle as it was a moment ago, is it?
- Continue with your work, but every time you reach for a sip, take a moment to notice these changes. The bottle gets lighter with each sip. The condensation on the outside might evaporate. The temperature shifts.
- Now take it a step further. Think about the water you're drinking. From your mouth, it goes into your system, hydrating you, becoming a part of you. So, in a way, the water’s journey continues, changing and flowing, just like everything else in this world.
- Through this everyday act, remind yourself: it's all in constant flux, even the seemingly solid and unchanging.
Landmarks of Engagement
Landmarks for this Realm (Engagement) will be added here when those pages are created.
Landmarks of Enrichment
Landmarks for this Realm (Enrichment) will be added here when those pages are created.
Shadows
The Beacons of Everyday Enlightenment provide powerful guidance through the Realms. The Lenses represent different facets of those Beacons, which provide further focus or illumination of that Beacon. On the other hand, Lenses are also accompanied by two types of Shadows which tend to obscure our journey to Enlightenment. The first kind of Shadows are the Looming Shadows, which are the obvious opposite of a given Lens, and should hopefully be easy to avoid and train against once we understand them. The second kind are the Flickering Shadows, which could be confused with the associated Lenses, because they are quite similar to the Lens, while actually being a harmful or negative counterpart. Both types of Shadows should be understood in the context of the Lens and Beacon, and reviewed periodically to ensure our view is not obscured. Within the Lens of Impermanence, we see the realization that everything is constantly changing, and to accept and embrace change.
- Looming Shadow - Eternalism, is the belief in unchanging, eternal substances or entities (like a soul), directly contradicting the principle of impermanence in all things.
- Flickering Shadow - Nihilism, includes the belief that life is fleeting and meaningless, which can potentially bring peace of mind. However, understanding Impermanence is about increasing our Adaptability to challenging situations, and growing and awakening further, which is inherently meaningful.
Resources
- Impermanence is Buddha Nature - "Change isn't just a fact of life we have to accept and work with... To feel the pain of impermanence and loss can be a profoundly beautiful reminder of what it means to exist."