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🧘‍♀️Unplug, Breathe, Thrive 🧘‍♂️

It is not impermanence that makes us suffer. What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not. Thich Nhat Hanh

Whatever makes you glad to be alive - do that,  whenever you can. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Join us for a transformative meditation experience on Impermanence.

📅 Next Sessions:

• Online: Tuesday, March 10th 7 PM ET
• In-Person: Thursday Thursday 12th 7PM ET 185 Lincoln St Hingham Suite #300 (Crow Point Pizza Plaza)

This Week's Focus: Impermanence

Key Points:

* Everything is IMPERMANENT·  

* By striving to eliminate all discomfort from our lives, we may overlook the richness and depth that comes from experiencing life in its entirety

* Acknowledge and accept the full spectrum of the human experience

🆓 The teachings are given freely!

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(Donations welcome via VENMO @Eileen-Shaw-8)

👉 RSVP Now: https://meditation-works.org/contact-eileen

Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely, we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it. W. Somerset Maugham

Join our community and rediscover your inner peace. 

All levels welcome!

Questions? Reach out to eileenjshaw@mac.com

IMPERMANENCE

One of the foremost teachings in Buddhism is that everything in life is impermanent. This fundamental truth reminds us that change is not an interruption of the natural order; it is the natural order itself. From the cells in our bodies to the mountains we admire, all things arise, dwell, and pass away.

Much of the pain we experience in life is born from our resistance to this cycle. We cling to pleasurable moments, desperately wishing them to stay, and we recoil from the difficult ones, exhausting ourselves in the effort to push them away. This struggle against the current of life is a primary source of our suffering. However, it is crucial to understand that while pain is inevitable, suffering can be alleviated. The key lies in cultivating a mindset of radical acceptance towards impermanence.

By learning to stop resisting the natural flow, we open ourselves to the profound beauty of each moment. We begin to see that a moment's value is not diminished by its brevity; in fact, it is enhanced by it. A sunset is stunning precisely because we know it will fade, just as the vibrancy of spring gives way to the dormancy of winter.

In this season of wintertime, as we move past the solstice and the days slowly begin lengthening once more, it is helpful to take a step back and breathe. This quiet period serves as a poignant reminder of life's transient nature—even the darkness gradually gives way to light. Rather than clinging to how we wish things to be, we can find solace in the stark beauty of the present. Embracing impermanence allows us to let go of avoidance strategies and instead welcome change with open arms.

Each day is a new beginning, a chance to start fresh and let go of the burdens of yesterday. So, as we navigate through the cold and quiet of winter, let us remember to breathe deeply, cherish the fleeting moments, and embrace the cycle of renewal that life offers us.