The Vajra Parrot Squawks!

The Philosopher Heraclitus taught us that, despite our best efforts, it is impossible to step into the same river twice, the explanation being that the substance of the river we see with our eyes is changing ceaselessly. With every passing molecule of water that speeds by, the river becomes a different entity - what we perceive as a river is actually no more than the movement of water under the bridge.

How then, can we be sure of anything, if the very foundation of our world, like a river, is in a constant process of flux and movement? Although fascinating, this problem of Greek philosophy is not my primary concern. The issue of constant change and impermanence most certainly is, however.

Like the river that vexed Heraclitus, we are different entitities from one moment to the next. Maybe we look the same, but on a molecular level things are different. Try as we might, when youth gives way to wrinkles, there's precious little we can do to stop the changeing of our bodies and appearance. We can go under the knife, inject ourselves with botox, or smear ourselves with all manner of lotions and potions, but we're really just kidding ourselves and putting off the inevitable: the relentless crawl into old age and, eventually, death.

All things we think, or see, or hold dear are subject to change. All are impermanent. However, we seem to just not be able to accept it.

The reality of impermanence is something we shun, particularly in the West. We don't like change, we go to great lengths to hide the ageing process from ourselves and those around us, we even keep the reality of death locked away, in sanitised rooms, far away from the family and the home, when one of our relatives or friends breathes their last. Impermanence, ageing, death are the last taboos, it seems, neuroses which dog our waking moments and actually compromise the quality of our lives.

If you think about it, really think about it, this is all rather weird, isn't it? We know that we're shuffling forwards towards certain extinction, along with all those we know, love or dislike, yet we constantly, impotently, try to push the reality away. We expend huge 'life calories' in maintaining this struggle. Whether we bury it in rituals and superstition, refuse to accept it for what it is, or pretend that it only happens to other people, the process is futile.

Today most of the Hindu shops here in Ghoom are closed to commemorate the passing of India's premier Hindu teacher, Satya Sai Baba. Although his life was dogged with many allegations of corruption and wrongdoing, he was almost universally revered by Indians and many others throughout the world. The passing of this 'god-man' is a very salient reminder that, whatever or whoever we claim to be, whether high or low, rich or poor, good or bad, we all share the same common denominator. We're all mortal. We will all die, and some of us sooner than others. There is no escaping this fundamental fact.

This raises a more important question.

Death's noose is pulling ever tighter around our necks and our time is running out. What are we doing to make what's left of it meaningful?

Are we to carry the emotional burdens of enemies, frustrations, broken relationships, petty concerns, jealousies, unrequited loves ad nauseam all the way to the grave... or are we going to stop, look at how these things are actually spoiling the quality of our lives now, let go of them, and move forward, positively?

With our eyes fixed squarely on the crematorium, or a hole in some deserted churchyard or municipal cemetery, life's little hindrances and petty concerns begin to lose their grip. If we look on Death in this way, He's actually more of a friend than an enemy: he helps us to prioritise, to let go and to live more fully in the present, free from the shackles which hold us back and impair our chances of living.

Maybe it's time to start making something positive of our lives now, maybe even grateful that our new-found friend is there, reminding us to shed what needs to be shed and to embrace what needs to be embraced and forgive what needs to be forgiven.

Something positive doesn't necessarily mean something 'successful', I hasten to add.

Many 'successful' people often have very meaningless, empty lives, and merely chase their own tails from one day to the next in the pursuit of money or prestige whilst the grains in the eternal sand clock pour out into infinity without their even being aware of it. What's the point of that? How is this worthy of emulation or admiration?

By positive I mean happy. Happy people are actually the successful people walking on the surface of this planet, whether they're rich or poor, popular or unpopular, healthy or sick.

May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes and have the courage to assess their priorities and move forward.