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Most people do not like the idea of impermanence. The impermanence of life
brings fear; the impermanence of relationships brings sorrows. The world is
impermanent, going through stages of becoming, existence, decay, and extinction.
Everything is impermanent and as unreal as someoneˇ¦s imagination. Thus, when
the subject of impermanence is brought up, most people feel it is passive,
pessimistic, and meaningless. If we look at impermanence from another angle, it is
active and dynamic. To understand the value of impermanence, we have to look at it
from the following angles:
1.Impermanence brings us hope. ---
The definition of impermanence is that good can turn bad and bad can become
good. It can bring us boundless hope; it lets us treasure what is good and
improve what is bad. For example, it does not matter if we are poor; poverty is
impermanent. If we work hard, we can succeed one day! If we become wealthy
one day, our understanding of impermanence would help us learn to treasure
our blessings. We know that if we do not value and preserve our wealth, our
wealth, even an enormous one, can disappear. On the emotional level, one
would appreciate othersˇ¦ love and friendship. It does not matter even if others
have ill feelings toward us. If we can change the cause of the hostility, there is
still hope for a good friendship in the future.
2.Impermanence embodies the spirit of freedom. -
-- Impermanence also means that our lives are not predestined. We all have
the freedom to change our lives and destinies. For example, we can improve
on our social skills to change our destinies. Such changes are within my
control, within your control, and within everyoneˇ¦s control. Impermanence
treats everyone fairly; it applies to everyone regardless whether you are a
royalty or a commoner. We all, equally and without exceptions, have the
possibilities to become good or bad.
3.Impermanence denies the control of gods. -
-- In our lives, one of the biggest vexations is not knowing about our future,
making it very easy for us to hand over our future to the gods and subject
ourselves to their control. Once we understand impermanence, we can decide
the future for ourselves. We can free ourselves of the control of gods and
become our own masters.
4.Impermanence shatters the concept of predestination. -
-- Just as we discuss above, our lives are not predestined. Our future is within
our control. If we can be righteous, refrain from violating others, and nurture a
multitude of good causal relationships with others, impermanence can change
a life of misfortune into a prosperous one.
Thus, the value of impermanence is as follows:
1.Impermanence brings us hope.
2.Impermanence embodies the spirit of freedom.
3.Impermanence denies the control of gods.
4.Impermanence shatters the concept of predestination.
http://www.ibps.org/english/master/Impermanence.html
