An Eastern perspective on change.

In Buddhist thought, change and impermanence are fundamental to existence, and suffering arises from ignorance of this reality. Awareness of impermanence leads to enlightenment and happiness. The rapidity of change creates illusions of solidity, continuity, self, and ego, mixing the real with the unreal; in truth, only processes exist. Intellectual understanding alone is insufficient; experiential understanding through expanded consciousness, attention, and training in attitudes like kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity is required. Appreciating change is central to the Buddhist path, benefiting both long-term (enlightenment and freedom from rebirth) and short-term (making living and dying enjoyable).

Study at a glance

Abstract

In Eastern, particularly Buddhist, thinking the process of change and impermanence is an integral part of existence. All suffering in life is the result of ignorance of this basic reality. A deeper awareness and appreciation of this fact leads to enlightenment and real happiness. It is the rapidity of change that is responsible for the illusory processes that create the sense of solidity, continuity, permanence, entity, agency, self or ego. Thus, the mind is able to mix the real with the unreal. In reality, there are merely processes. However, mere intellectual understanding of this is not enough. It requires experiential understanding through the expansion of consciousness and attention to these processes. It also requires experiential training, appropriate attitudes (such as kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity) and development which is often gradual. Thus, learning to appreciate and delight in the existential process of change is at the heart of the Buddhist approach. It is beneficial not only in the long run (i.e., leading to enlightenment and freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth, the ultimate purpose of life) but also in the short term (i.e., by making living and dying enjoyable).