Contemplative Monday

THE DREAM OF CONSTANT OKAYNESS

"It's not impermanence per se, or even knowing we're going to die,

that is the cause of our suffering, the Buddha taught.

Rather, it's our resistance to the fundamental uncertainty of our situation. 

Our discomfort arises from all our efforts to put ground under our feet, to realize our dream 

of constant okayness. When we resist change,

it's called suffering. But when we can completely let go

and not struggle against it, when we can embrace the groundlessness

of our situation and relax into its dynamic quality, 

that's called enlightenment, or awakening to our true nature,

to our fundamental goodness.

Another word for that is freedom,

freedom from struggling against 

the fundamental ambiguity of being human."

On a personal note, I have always had difficulty grasping this

'human condition' of impermanence. My acceptance is getting better.

The above quote was taken from Pema Chodron's book: 
'Living Beautifully' which was referenced in her newsletter,
'Heart Advice: Weekly Quotes from Pema Chodron.