The lessons of Impermanence

"All conditioned things are Impermanent. When once sees this with wisdom one turns away from suffering, this is the path to purity."

As I sat in meditation this morning I watched the rise and falling of my breathing and then focused on the impermanence of each breath. I followed the beginning the middle and the end of each in and out breath and noticed how each breath is different and non lasting.

Eventually my legs began to go numb and I had a chance to observe the pain as it started to rise, peak and then fade away. Usually when my legs go numb I all but want to die! This time I stayed with every moment of the pain... Every moment was a new moment so the experience was a moment to moment experience, meaning each moment had a beginning middle and end. I sat calmly and gained some insight into impermanence.

How does that translate off the cushion when phenomena is moving at faster than the speed of light? If I can be mindful to find my breath when there is conflict and recall that all conditioned things are impermanent I may be able to use any situation as a meditation tool right then and there. I can observe and see the situation as it really is. So, my goal it to take this morning's experience and apply it to the full speed situation of life.

In addition, for the next 8 weeks I'll be studying the Noble Eightfold Path. This week is Right Understanding...More to come on that.

May you be well, happy and peaceful!