I've been trying to write something about the intersect of
impermanence of self and over abundance of choice, but I can't quite
nail it down.
But this morning I did see a sunrise.
https://pixelfed.social/p/dozens/27097188995829760
and it was over in a hot minute. By the time I had walked 8 minutes
from the train to the studio, it was gone, man. Solid gone.
When I first started practing, I had a lot of thoughts of the nature
"Man I wish I was the sort of person who..."
And something that the practice taught me, something that I got to
know experiencially to be true, is that because of how ephemeral
things like sunsets and identities are, how they flicker along and
give the impression of persistence and continuity, that you can
simply embrace and celebrate the continual, constant arrival of Now.
Oh, what is that? You want to be the sort of person who does x?
Simply done! Merely start doing x. There! There, now you are the sort
of person who does x.
By virtue of having done it, and by separating yourself and
distancing yourself from past versions of yourself as a person who
does NOT do x, you have arrived at a moment and in a reality and in a
version of yourself that does the thing that you want to do.
It is very liberating to realize that there is no permanence of self.
I think there is a sort of prejudice against people who try on new
personalities or new personalities or habits on a whim. Who serially
take up new causes. It is a misguided prejudice about a way of living
that ought instead be celebrated. These people aren't flighty or
fickle or fanciful. They are simply living closer to the truest
nature of reality.
It's a way of thinking about life and self that has guided me through
several different versions of myself, different careers. Some things
stick, others don't.
But man, go ahead. Try on new you. No time like the present moment.
And if you miss the chance, if you miss this moment, then just wait.
Here comes another one. Now.
Now.
Now.
Now.
Now.
