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This first point of meditation is called anitya - meaning transient, everchanging. And nitya - meaning permanent, changeless. For the mind to know the ever-moving nature of anitya is frightening. Why? Because the mind tends to take that which is temporary and believes that it is going to last forever.
The mind clings to whatever it has created things, objects, ideas, relationships, positions. That is why it is not ready to give them up when the time comes. Such a mind says, “It is going to remain with me. It is mine now.”
But the nature of nature replies, “Nothing is thine and nothing is mine." We have to re-educate our mind. Otherwise it tends toward attachment, thereby creating sadness.
Meditate on nitya and anitya. Find out what is permanent and what is impermanent. Separate the grain from the chaff. Now they are mixed together. Learn how to fan out the husk from the genuine kernel. Then you are able to know what is everlasting and what is temporary. For that you have to come to the center of yourself. First, realize and accept the transitory nature of forms. Then you will experience the nature of nature, the changeless behind the everchanging. The changeless indicates that which cannot die, for it was never born; it is the very life of life.
Meditating in this way, we develop a sense of discrimination and a vast vision. Small things which used to trigger our addictions no longer bother us. There will be no need to use as much energy on temporary things. We become generous toward the shortcomings of others. We start to experience a deep feeling of oneness with all life, and we will not cry over the spilt milk of transitoriness. With our inner vision, we see that which is continuously pulsating in all, and rejoice.
On the Wings of Light and Love - Volume Two - 21
