As we all face new changes to our lifestyles every day and even every hour; I can’t stop thinking about how we have to embrace impermanence as a survival skill at this time.
For most of us, we have not faced a massive pandemic in our lifetime. Yet thousands of years ago, before there was even the thought of the globalization we’re living, Buddha named impermanence (annica) as one the “Three Marks of Existence.”
Before COVID-19 most of our shifts were small: an old building is torn down and a bigger, new one replaces it, a yoga teacher moves away, or our favorite tv series ends. We experience impermanence all the time but what we’re going through now is the level of a colossal natural disaster.
Being at odds with reality by staying in denial of what our states and countries are asking of us is actually choosing to take on a battle because it’s a way of fighting to hold onto the past.
By accepting that impermanence is inevitable, it makes it easier to let go of what was and settle into what is. Change is forever a constant part of nature, no matter what size it appears in.
This is a time to grieve and do what you need to do to adjust. Everyone has lost something at some level and we have to be patient with ourselves and kind to others as we all reconcile what our livelihood will be.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to re-evaluate some things we were taking for granted; our health, seeing friends and family in person, or being free to roam wherever we wanted.
And while you’re hunkered down keep this in mind for when you’re ready…
Fear is feeding and believing in scarcity. Instead, have faith in abundance. Our world will rebound. This too is not a permanent situation. In time, we will thrive again!
Wishing you all love, light, and peace…