...impermanence...

I have just had the glorious experience of recognizing the suffering that comes within from believing in "permanence" instead of welcoming in the idea of impermanence. The cravings of the lower mind take over all sense of inner knowing in heart and can leave one with a feeling of overwhelming displacement and angst that is so consuming. The Buddhist believe that "craving" is the cause of suffering because of the constant desire of what is ultimately passing and impermanent.
This idea of impermanence is central to the Buddhist teaching. It is believed that "impermanence" brings hope, it embodies the spirit of freedom, denies the control of Gods so that one can become their own master. It also shatters the concept of predestination meaning we can actually have a hand in our own future. A life of misfortune can then actually turn into one of prosperity. It carries with it the freedom to change our lives should there be dissatisfaction of any kind.
According to Thich Nhat Hanh ... "Without impermanence, life is impossible. How can suffering be transformed without impermanence as it is needed for social justice and hope. With impermanence, every door is open for change..."
To lend understanding to this concept, I have included an example from the writings of Rigpa ....
To contemplate impermanence on its own is not enough: You have to work with it in your life. Pick up a coin and imagine that it represents the object of which you are grasping. Hold it tightly clutched in your fist and extend your arm with the palm of your hand facing the ground. Now if you let go or relax your grip, you will lose what you are clinging to ... that is why we hold onto things! The other possibility that exists is this: You can let go and yet keep hold of it with your arm still outstretched, turn your hand over so that it faces the sky. Release your hand and the coin still rests on your open palm. You let go and the coin is still yours even with all the space around it. So .... there is a way in which we can accept impermanence and still relish life, at one and the same time, without the need to grasp or hold it!
What I will share with all of you through my personal experience is that once I fully engaged in this method and completely integrated the concept as it pertained to my personal holdings, I did embrace a great sense of freedom and understanding. The agony that was once so chaotic and binding soon dissipated - it was replaced with a greater sense of personal power with respect to not having to believe I was without what I was convincing my head I needed in order to feel peace. The idea of misfortune was then turned into opportunity; this freedom did open the door to greater hope of good things to come ... my desire is, for all whom are seeking another way, to ponder this and truly allow for the integration of this principle. There is a strong certainty that is being offered that the understanding and movement into enlightened states of knowing will come to those whom have the courage to honour the process ... apachebluemoon