Befriending Mortality — Finding Calmness in Calamity
As Annie sang in the musical, “The sun will come out, tomorrow” we are living our lives as if we know we always have time, freeing ourselves and engaging in peccable pursuits as if there is no tomorrow. Conversely, we often hold ourselves back from not taking action or speaking out, all because of our assumption that there is always another day. However, have you wondered what would happen if the life given to you is suddenly taken away, as promised in the holy scriptures?
The thought of everything ending, either by death or when the end time comes first, brings out strong responses to those who contemplate it. As we are merely fickle humans, some responded with sadness, fearing that their good deeds are not enough yet. others would feel scared and long to be with their loved ones. Some would cling onto any last bits of the physical and fleeting emotions before time runs out. The root of it all would be fear, which transmuted into different reactions. Fear that the world that they know will just perish over time. Yet, time is merely a concept, and death and rebirth is actually happening constantly to us, at everything. The version of you who just finished your cereal is not the same as the one who poured milk into the bowl before taking a spoonful bite. The version of you who has not eaten their breakfast has died, giving birth to a new version who is satisfied and grateful for their meal.
Nothing lasts forever. Nothing is ever permanent.
Anicca, derived from Pali means impermanence. The idea of impermanence might bring fear to us feeble humans, which causes miseries due to attachment. Attachment to the past or even attachment to the good times, not wanting something to change. However, change is inevitable. Impermanence can be seen and felt in our daily lives. The nature of impermanence can also be understood as all your struggles will eventually change into good ones, which goes the same ones with the bad ones. While we are in the midst of it, it is important to become the observer and remain equanimous. With that, the importance of knowing the when, where, and how is not in our control. We are merely surrendering and trusting that there is a greater power who is orchestrating the ebb and flow of life.
From there, we understand that nothing is ever promised, but what is promised is the uncertainties, which we have no control over. Yet, us humans do have free will. The universe will conspire in helping you to achieve it, if you truly desire good things for you and for others. We also have control over how we respond. Things do not happen to us; they happen for us. We can choose to see everything from the lens of fear, or love. Hence, we are always given the opportunity to take a chance and learn, or let things victimize our beings. From this, we can see that we have all the chance to change our trajectory and evolve into who we want to become. And to face the uncertainties through love, we may find acceptance, peace, calmness, and surrender.
Nothing in our lives is ever promised, but better times will come in due time. Again, “the sun will come out, tomorrow” but when that tomorrow stops, I hope you all can face it in love, peace and joy, surrendering ourselves to the unknown.
