Chozen Roshi began by asking how we see impermanence manifest during a meditation session. Sounds come and go, breath comes and goes. One is aware of thoughts coming and going, and attention wandering. Things continue changing as we sit.
When people think about impermanence, we often focus on its downsides. Most prominently, people die, including those we care about. But also, as we age ourselves, our bodies change and we’re no longer able to do the things we used to do. Good things come to an end.
Impermanence has positive aspects as well. Bad things come to an end too. Impermanence allows for creativity and creation. And even music relies on impermanence – music requires sounds to start and stop, and intersperses notes with silence.
Chozen Roshi teaches that what causes suffering is the thought that “this shouldn’t be happening”. But it is happening. If we can accept that impermanence is real and inevitable, we can end suffering. It’s possible to learn to be content with impermanence. Dogen Zenji says, “Flowers fall with our attachment and weeds spring up with our aversion.” Whether we want things to change or not, they do. In Buddhist teaching, impermanence is one of the fundamental features of the world. It’s one of the “three marks of existence”, alongside suffering and lack of self.
Chozen Roshi also talks about the idea that people might be particularly unsettled by the pace of change in the modern world. It seems like things are changing even faster than usual these days, which makes impermanence even more present to many of us. It’s worth remembering, though, that many periods in history have been much worse than now, and that even today, many people in the world are experiencing the hardest parts of impermanence.
The Buddha said that all conditioned things (i.e. things which begin to exist at a particular time) are impermanent, and will eventually decay and disappear. We have many examples in our lives of how impermanence can cause us suffering. For example, making a big new purchase, such as a car. For a time, it’s exciting and great. But eventually, over time, our attitudes change and the newness and excitement wears off.
Chozen Roshi emphasizes in her talk that it’s important to remember that accepting impermanence doesn’t mean being cold. It’s true that it’s inevitable that we’ll be parted from those that we love. But it’s still okay to feel sad about it. Grieving is an expression of compassion, and it’s natural. But the grief itself is impermanent. Over time it changes and softens.
Our Buddhist practice is not about hearing Dharma talks, but about practicing, about including the teachings in our lives. It’s also about holding opposites. Can we see impermanence as both an advantage and a disadvantage? Can we see things as both self and not self?
We must learn to rest in awareness and just be present. This moment right now is true, and it is enough. We don’t need thoughts of “this shouldn’t be happening”.
Scroll down to listen to the full recording of Roshi’s talk. Happy Learning!
From the Teachers: Living with Impermanence
Dharma Video:
“Living with the Fundamental Truth of Impermanence” with Chozen Bays*, Roshi
* Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi has studied and practiced Zen Buddhism since 1973. She received Jukai (lay precepts) in 1975 and Tokudo, Priest’s Ordination, in 1979 from Taizan Maezumi, Roshi. From 1978 to 1983 she lived at Zen Center of Los Angeles, studying with Maezumi, Roshi and directing the Zen Center’s non-profit Medical Clinic. She finished formal koan study in 1983 and she was given Dharma transmission (authorization to teach) that same year. Following the death of Maezumi, Roshi in 1995 she has continued her training with Shodo Harada, Roshi, a Rinzai Zen teacher and the abbot of Sogen-ji monastery in Japan.
Since 1985 Chozen, Roshi has been the teacher for Zen Community of Oregon. In 2002 she helped found Great Vow Zen Monastery and is the co-abbot. In 2011 she also helped found Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple in Portland, Oregon. She has written books on mindfulness and mindful eating, and written articles published in Buddhadharma and Shambhala Sun.
Chozen Roshi is also a pediatrician and world-renowned child abuse consultant, mother and wife, ceramic artist, and lover of marimba.
