I am participating in a three week program exploring impermanence. The assignment each day is to photograph or think of examples in our daily lives of impermanence.
Becky, our broken-toed-healed STEP instructor returned to class on Wednesday. Formulating questions began the second I spotted her because of my desire to know her ideas on using “prayer position” at the end of our sessions, and to fulfill the promise I made in Post #6. I was convinced a worthwhile story would unfold if I asked the right questions.
Much to my surprise at the end of our session she didn’t use the term “prayer position.”
She said: Lower your arms and put your hands on your chest.
After class many sweaty bodies gathered around her, each with a question or concern. There were so many people that when it was my turn I felt the need to be quick and maybe sounded accusatory when I said:
“You didn’t say put hands in prayer position.”
She looked shocked and stammered: “I always do, you mean I didn’t?”
And that was pretty much the end of our conversation as she moved on to interact with others.
How do you deal with impermanence? Any more thoughts on prayer? Where do you fight against reality?
Thanks for exploring the mystery – Nicky Mendenhall
2 comments
Is impermanence the same as change? I’ve had exchanges like yours where I seem abrupt when I didn’t mean to. Not sure what you mean in fighting reality.
Hi Nolan. Yes, I'd say that impermanence is the same as change – it has a Buddhist slant for me referring to the Buddha saying life is suffering. The reason life is suffering is because everything keeps changing – that is reality. Does that help? Complicated stuff – thanks for reading and commenting. Really appreciate your questions which force me to express what I think/know to be true for me.
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