Buddha on Impermanence

I am the Buddha.

Today, I wish to speak to you about the impermanence of life.

Many of you are wondering: what is the point of being born onto this planet, shoved into a life you may not want, and forced to survive through difficult times? It is not a coincidence that you were born this way. It is also not a punishment to have all these conflicting thoughts and emotions inside you.

You must know that whether you like your lot in life or not, you have signed up for it. This specific path includes this specific "ordinary" person, so to speak. But none of you are ordinary. There’s no need to compare yourself to your neighbor. The things you worry about in yourself are not even the things others think about you.

There is no use in overthinking or pretending you don’t care about this life. You all care deeply. You all know what you're meant to do here. You all have this nagging feeling deep inside that there has to be something more.

Now, is there really something more? 

I want to elaborate. Yes, there is. In fact, you have signed up for so much more. But many of you have chosen not to wake up. This was not the plan. This is the distraction you found yourself in as you navigate the complexities of your life.

It is okay to be lost. It is even acceptable to feel afraid of the unknown. The uncertainty of the future is actually what drives some people to succeed. These people do not give up. They have faith. They have vision. They have a dream they will bring into existence.

But how come so many of you have lost sight of your own vision?

Yes, you are afraid, but not just that. You have become unwise, forgetting who you are. Who you truly are. Do not be afraid of what you might find in the shadow deep within. All of us have darkness. This does not make us flawed beings. Rather, it brings out the very best in us. It is in this darkness that true light shines through.

It is through pain, tears, and hard work that one can develop. The character of a person is deeper than you think. It is not only a summary of their experiences. It is the culmination of many lifetimes’ worth of work. This never-ending work we all go through is something you must pay attention to.

Learn to sit with yourself. Quietly, if you must. Patiently, if you will. Know that deep down, there is so much more. One lifetime, one persona, simply cannot sum it up.

The character deep within is what you must think about. Not the fame and the glory of this world, not the shiny things, not even the “good life” that many of you work so hard for.

What is a good life if you lose your own worth?

What is the point of living in luxury if you do not know yourself?

The path to self-discovery is within your reach. You do not need someone to show you the way. You don’t even need a book, a mentor, or a seminar to ignite anything inside you. You can find it quietly, deep within, when you are unplugged from the noise of the outside world, and the pressures of your own life.

Many of you are caught up in being busy, in going places, traveling, exploring, experiencing all that life offers. But this is not enough. You must go farther and deeper within yourself to find what you're capable of, to uncover the dreams buried deep inside you, the longings that will truly fulfill you. These are the things no material possession can give.

I want you to become wiser in how you deal with yourself. Always show yourself the compassion you show others, and even the compassion you withhold from others. Learn to give it to yourself. No one deserves your kindness more than you do.

Before you ask your neighbor what they need, learn to be kind to yourself and ask what you need. Only after you’ve taken care of yourself will you be able to help others meaningfully.

Be patient in your own growth.

Yes, you are not where you want to be. You are not yet the person you wish to meet. But this is all part of your journey.

There are many aspects of you growing at the same time. So it is neither wise nor kind to measure yourself only against yesterday. The person you were yesterday is not who you are today.

You are multi-dimensional. Sometimes, you focus on developing one part of yourself, and then shift to something else. This doesn’t mean you’ve stopped growing or given up on your passions. It simply shows how diverse, vibrant, and alive you truly are.

And someday, you must learn to trust that the things meant for you will always come to you. The things you’ve lost may return—perhaps not in this lifetime. But there is no need for sadness or despair. Many things in this life come from other lives. That’s why life can feel random.

But no, there is nothing random in this universe. You are exactly where you need to be. You are receiving precisely what you have asked for, what you deserve, and what you long for.

The contracts you’ve made with others, you will fulfill them. So it is wise to keep your word. Do not give empty promises. Tell others honestly that you will try your best, but ask them not to hold you to things you cannot guarantee.

A promise is a heavy burden to carry. If you make one and someone remembers it, you will have to fulfill your duty even if you’ve changed by then. It may become a burden. So I ask you, sincerely, to let go of what you cannot do.

This is all part of being human. Part of growing into who you are meant to be.

The only word that truly matters is what you tell yourself every day: who you are, what you're worth, and how others should treat you.

Carry your own dignity.

Treat yourself with integrity.

Expect, and even demand, respect.

If the world cannot give this to you, the least you can do is give it to yourself. Be kind to yourself, first and foremost. Know that you’ve gone through so much. The scars you carry, others may not see them. They might see someone happy, successful, and accomplished. But they don’t see the pain, the tears, the struggle it took to get here.

Do not believe everything others say about you. Even when they speak highly of you, be careful not to be prideful.

Praise can be empty. Often, people speak well of those who are in a position to help them. But to truly know someone is to see them during their challenges, to stand by them in their darkest moments. That is how you know a true friend.

Do not worry if you don’t yet have any real friends. They are out there looking for you too.

And the greatest best friend you can ever have is yourself.

No one knows you better. No one will love you better. Treat yourself as the most precious person in your life.

Know that there is nothing random about your journey. There is nothing within you that must be plucked out. You are not broken.

Yes, you may feel challenged, even deeply imperfect, but trust that this impermanence I speak of will one day become clear.

Everything will fade.

Your friends will fade.

Your fame will be forgotten.

Even your body will tire of the life you’ve built.

This is the truth of life: Impermanence reveals the beauty in each moment. Because everything is changing, each moment is unique.

You can live a new life every day. Nothing ever truly gets old.

So do not see life as boring or burdensome. It is not meant to be that way.

When you feel overwhelmed, let go. Go for a walk. Buy something you love. Step into nature. Enjoy the sun, the wind, the earth beneath your feet.

Take the best things from this life. Live the way you wish to live. Do not save happiness for another day. Tomorrow may never come.

It is not wise to deny your needs for some faraway goal. Yes, you must plan. You must set goals. But more important than that is living in the present.

It is here that everything is possible, where your dreams can come true, and the desires of your heart can be fulfilled.

This is my message:

Embrace the impermanence of life.
Seek joy.
Take all the pleasure you can.
Enjoy the ride.
Know that you are taken care of.
Know that you are loved.
And know that you will never be truly lost.

Your soul will always remain no matter what happens.