The third delusion - This will last

IMPERMANENCE

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

All who are on the earth will perish,
and there remains the Face of your Lord, the Possessor of Majesty and Generosity. Quran 55:26-27

A PRAYER

Come, come, whoever you are,
wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow a thousand times
Come, yet again, come, come. Rumi

WHAT THE SAGES SAY

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14 .

My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass. But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. Psalm 102:11-12

Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well. Buddha

The only constant in life is change. Tao

Change is the law of the universe. What you think of as death is indeed life. In one instance you can be sure that everything will change. Hindu saying

Everything in the Universe is in motion: electrons spin, wind blows this way and that, a bird song lasts but a moment. How then do we expect to exempt ourselves from the way of the all things?

THE THREE DELUSIONS

• It's mine
  
• I'm in control
• This will last

Tonight's meditation deals with the third delusion - that this will last.

THE PRACTICE

As we sit in silence, we notice what arises (thoughts, feelings, noises, body sensations), and remind ourselves that this will change, and that we dare not cling. Then we repeat mentally: "This too will pass, You alone I trust, thank You"

With complete understanding of impermanence comes the experience of no-self.

"They are the ones who believe and whose hearts are assured through the remembrance of God. Absolutely, through the remembrance of God do the hearts find rest." [Quran]

May the Lord shower you with His mercy and bless your affairs with His guidance.