Impermanence

-In the heart of February, I embarked on a day-hike that was less about conquering the heights of an ice and snow-covered mountain and more about embracing the profound teachings of impermanence.

The hike was a mirror reflecting the ever-changing yet eternally poignant lessons of existence.

The ascent began under a sky heavy with clouds, a canopy of grey that seemed to press down with a weight that was more existential than physical. The bitter cold nipped at my skin, reminding me of life's harsh realities.

Yet, there was a beauty in this discomfort, a reminder that life is fleeting in all its forms. As I trudged over icy trails, the crunch of my steel crampons hitting the ice underfoot was the only sound in an otherwise profound stillness. The colorless environment, with its shades of white and grey, spoke to the beauty in imperfection.

Here, in this seemingly lifeless landscape, was the essence of life itself—beautiful because it is fleeting.

The snow and ice, unyielding and cold, were stark representations of the transience of life. Each step forward was a step into the understanding that everything we see, feel, and experience is temporary. Though seemingly eternal, the mountain is slowly changing, its snow melting and freezing in a cycle that speaks to the impermanence of all things.

The cloudy sky and the colorless vistas reminded me of the gentle sadness that comes with the passing of time. Yet, this sadness is a gateway to a more profound contemplation of the reality of our existence.

This sadness is not about despair but the understanding and acceptance of the flow of life.

This journey up and down the mountain was a contemplation of the nature of life, art, and the Zen teachings that guide my daily existence.

It was a reminder that in the heart of transience, there is beauty and a peace that surpasses all knowledge.

- Sokei