Imagine a stick of incense burning, releasing a wispy trail of smoke that drifts lazily toward the ceiling. As we watch, the smoke appears to take on various shapes, like a fleeting wispy creature dancing in the air. However, upon closer inspection, we realize that the smoke never actually assumes a fixed form. It is constantly in motion, reshaping itself in the very instant it seems to take on a particular shape. This phenomenon is reminiscent of our own experiences, which are similarly in a state of constant flux.

From one perspective, it seems as though there are fixed, identifiable forms in the world around us. We perceive objects as unmoving and solid, and our internal world of subjectivity appears to be similarly stable. However, when we delve deeper and examine the nature of our experiences, we begin to notice that these seemingly fixed forms are, in fact, constantly dissolving and taking on new shapes. This is akin to the rising incense smoke, which, as we attempt to pin it down, always seems to slip away, shape-shifting into something new.

The Illusion of Fixity

We often try to grasp hold of the present moment, to pin it down and examine it closely. However, the more we try to do so, the more elusive it becomes. The moment never actually coheres, never becomes something that can be identified and described. It is a fleeting, ephemeral thing, like the smoke from the incense. The words we use to describe our experiences – ‘I am sitting here in my chair, writing these words’ – rely on the assumption that it is possible to resolve what each of those elements are. However, when we examine our experience more closely, we find that reality never becomes anything in particular. The moment is always in a state of flux, and our attempts to pin it down are always in vain.

This realization can be both liberating and disorienting. On the one hand, it frees us from the illusion that we can know and control the world around us. On the other hand, it can be unsettling to realize that our experiences are never actually fixed or stable. It is as though we are constantly navigating a shifting landscape, where the ground beneath our feet is always in motion.

So, how do we make sense of this ever-changing world? One way is to recognize that our experiences are not fixed or stable, but are instead constantly in a state of flux. This can be a liberating realization, as it frees us from the need to pin down and control the world around us. Instead, we can learn to navigate the ever-changing landscape of our experiences, embracing the uncertainty and flux that is inherent in life.

Another way to approach this is to recognize that our experiences are not things in themselves, but are instead constantly in a state of becoming. This is akin to the idea of ‘suchness,’ or ‘tathata,’ which suggests that reality is constantly in a state of flux and change. By recognizing this, we can learn to approach our experiences with a sense of curiosity and openness, rather than trying to pin them down and control them.

Ultimately, the realization that our experiences are not fixed or stable can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and transformation. By embracing the uncertainty and flux of life, we can learn to navigate the ever-changing landscape of our experiences with greater ease and confidence. We can also learn to cultivate a greater sense of awareness and presence, which can help us to stay grounded and focused in the midst of life’s many challenges.

The Freedom from Things

So, what does this mean for our understanding of reality and our place in the world? It suggests that we are not fixed or stable, but are instead constantly in a state of flux and change. This can be both liberating and disorienting, as it frees us from the need to pin down and control the world around us, but also challenges our assumptions about the nature of reality.

However, this realization can also be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and transformation. By embracing the uncertainty and flux of life, we can learn to navigate the ever-changing landscape of our experiences with greater ease and confidence. We can also learn to cultivate a greater sense of awareness and presence, which can help us to stay grounded and focused in the midst of life’s many challenges.