Change
06/10/08 13:01
We might begin with the basics, with direct observations. We begin with what we have, what we find is right here in front of us, right now at this moment. . . .
We might begin with the basics, with direct observations. We begin with what we have, what we find is right here in front of us, right now at this moment. We begin with processes, the way of things, observable by anyone willing to pay attention and discover the way of things. One of the beauties of this sort of investigation is that anything true and meaningful can be seen and experienced directly. We need not believe anyone about anything. Not that we shouldn’t listen to pretty much everyone and everything. Wisdom may be found in the most unexpected places sometimes. Only a willingness to remain open and attentive to what presents itself is necessary. So,
What are foundational questions at this moment? At any moment?
What are foundational observations at this moment? At any moment?
That is to say, what are the questions and observations that can lead to all others, that lead to perceiving things the way they are? They would speak to the underlying and foundational qualities of this moment wouldn’t they?
What is it we can say is underneath and common to human experience and the world - in short, common to our human existence? Not that these are the only foundational questions. But rather, what are some foundational questions that will get us started?
So what can we say about the world that is foundational, basic, and real?
One key “way of things” is that all things are changing - always. In magnificent dramatic ways and in subtle perhaps imperceptible ways. In big ways and small, things are always changing. This is a fact, a natural law perhaps. Science tells us this and we can observe it directly too. There’s nothing to do about it. It’s just the way of things, the way things are. This is the foundational quality of existence and this is the level of observation I’m trying to get at.
If all things are changing then all things are therefore, by definition, impermanent aren’t they? Consider that statement/question a bit. This is a huge statement, a huge question! All things are impermanent. That is to say, nothing is permanent. Science tells us that the mere act of observing something changes it. Natural processes, change, all of it continue both moment to moment and in timeframes and scope far too vast for casual human perception. But change is, movement therefore is. No thing remains the same - ever. Everything changes, moves, transforms - constantly. Perhaps a physicist could explain this phenomenon but unless I’m a physicist too, I probably won’t appreciate nor even truly understand the explanation. I need to really GET this, understand this. This can be seen with common sense. Pay attention. Look around you. Is there anything not changing rapidly or slowly? I think you’ll find after careful observation and contemplation, that nothing ever stays the same. And if you find even one thing unchanging, still, actual, not theoretical, then please contact the media immediately. We’ve got to call a press conference or get you on Oprah, Dan Rather, CNN World, or something! That would be a big deal indeed.
There are constants aren’t there? I don’t mean the speed of light or anything technical like that. I mean natural order that’s meaningful to us day to day. Certainly “change” and “motion” are constants in the universe. So perhaps we can only describe certain processes as enduring, permanent, but not objects, not things. Let’s take change as an example. Change, transformation, is a process. It is not a thing. We can’t touch it directly with any of the five senses. But we can make contact with it with the sixth sense, the sense of mind. Using our sixth sense, our minds, we can discern that change happens, that things transform, that things don’t remain the same, that things are in fact impermanent. So, the mind working with the other senses can detect, touch, perceive the process of change. I invite you to let this settle in for a bit. See where it takes you.
Prior to understanding the nature of impermanence and change, we tend to attach ourselves to the objects of our six senses. Our eyes, ears, tongue/taste, touch/sensations, smell, mind/thoughts & feelings. At the moment of attachment, which usually immediately follows sensual contact (contact with our senses), we believe in the permanence of the thing perceived. It’s an easy conclusion to make. After all, it’s a thing - out there. I can touch it, see it hear it, etc. We perceive it as a “solid” static thing instead of a changing process so it is permanent, right?
Look closer. How can anything be solid or permanent? Science tells us such a thing does not exist. Are they right? Simple logic provides that permanence of anything requires separation, isolation. That is to say, existence in a vacuum. The thing certainly cannot be part of or connected to anything else that is moving or changing or affecting it. If that were true, it would be changing, not permanent. We’ll see that real separation and isolation is impossible. It doesn’t exist. Everything is connected - really, not in theory. No thing exists in a vacuum. Try to find the line, the wall, the distinct delineation between any two things separating them completely. It cannot be done. Try to find even one thing that is not transforming, not somehow connected to something else, being affected by something else. Take a moment right now and try. You won’t find even one example. Not one. Let the implications of that soak in. This could take a while to do. Re-visit this insight if you need to. It’s quite the revelation.
Separation is illusion. Permanence is illusion too. Everything is in fact connected, interdependent, or more accurately described, portions of the whole of everything - which naturally is constantly changing. It’s vast and mind boggling. That is to say, what we perceive is change, and not things which are changing. So the “things” we perceive could be better described as perspectives of, a portion of, the whole of change, the whole of everything. This is not airy-fairy space cadet stuff. Things are really this way. How about that? Knowing this, seeing this, does that make us flakes? Does that somehow transform us into irresponsible citizens? Of course not. Quite the contrary it seems. Another surprise.