IMPERMANENCE 

 

“A net is spread out for the living, free will is given, everything is on loan, and all is preparation for a grand celebration.” 

Rev. Akiva

 

This net is the net of samsara that challenges us sentient beings, bound to the yolk of ego and to the cycle of birth - death - reincarnation. Everything is given on loan – impermanent. The only thing we can take with us are our experiences and how we handle them - our karma. 

And if we navigate skillfully there will be a great celebration. 

We are always free to change course. If we were not, there would be none of the tension required for our transformation. 

“One day the people came to the master and asked: “How can you be so happy in a world of such impermanence…” The master held up a glass and said. ‘Someone gave me this glass … and I really like this glass. One day the wind may blow it off the shelf or my elbow may knock it off the table. I know this glass is already broken so I enjoy it incredibly.” 
Achaan Chah Subato

We need to savor those moments and the things we have with gratitude while still understanding that they cannot last.

There can be no growth without responsibly handling the attachments to those "objects" that we desire. Everything we do is a test. 

Impermanence is the backdrop to Free Will and Karma. Only the soul, spiritual truth, and love are permanent. Some live irresponsibly as if there is no tomorrow fully believing that we only live once. They claim that there is no reckoning or another reality beyond the veil between the worlds, even if there were any such thing. The potential of karmic sin have no hold over them while alive but will haunt them after death. 

“Where there is too much, something is missing."  

Chassidic Saying. 

"Yes, the disguise of plenty. The Grail is not there.” 
Gene Kelly

 

When we die and if we want to cross over to the elsewhere easily we need to practice non-attachment and go into an existential free fall, letting go of our attachments without any fear. Being attached to the impermanence of the material or anything else, will hinders the soul’s traverse.

“By attributing worth to tangible objects man becomes attracted to them; attraction brings desire for them; desire leads to competition and dispute. These create anger and the result is delusion. Delusion completely overcomes man’s sense of right and wrong.” Srimad Bhagavatam 

Once we cross over the veil we will face a spiritual tribunal who judge our skillfulness or unskillfulness navigating samsara and its challenges as well as the gifts of being in a sensory body and how we handled those temptations. The consequences of disobeying the laws of spirit are immutable – karma is not negotiable – one’s lawyer cannot help us there. Spiritual laws differ from those on the earth plane. They are binding whether we know about them believe in them or understand them or not. Being ignorant of them is no excuse. That is one of the reasons why the Ancestors’ teach that we should gain knowledge with all our possible strength. The one who dies with the most toys does not win.

“More possessions - more worry.
More generosity - more peace. 
There is nothing wrong with possessions, 
only to being possessed by them.” Hillel

The Shadow (Evil Inclination,) Monkey (Narrow, Finite, Survival, Primitive) Mind, and Tricksters play on the Ego's attachments to the objects of our desires. These inclinations are countered by our Inclination to do good, Spacious Mind (Infinite Mind, "Big" Mind, Buddha Mind, Christ Consciousness,) the Higher Self and our Guides. It is essential that we keep life simple and attend to our needs and not our wants. 

“It is the want that is our enemy and not the need.” 

Yoga wisdom

There are other attachments other than "stuff" that are also a part of Ego's compulsions such as Power, Pride, Prestige and Fame.

“Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill, 
keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt, 
chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench, 

care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner. 

Do your work, then step back, the only way to serenity.”  
Tao Te Ching

We need not to worry about whatever other people have, their fame or ego bound achievements since these will only create more obstacles on their climb up the mountain to their Higher Selves. We should have compassion for their plight with the hypnotic effect of wanting to possess things that can never last.

Do not think to store in cisterns; they will break and crumble and the water will be lost.
Cup your hands and drink deeply and often and you will have health and joy. The Ancestors

“Should the other climber steal your sack and your purse and wax fat on the one and heavy on the other, you should pity him. The climbing will be harder for his flesh and the burden will make his way longer. And should you in your leanness see his flesh puffing upward, help him in a step, it will add to your swiftness.” Unknown