Question

Anicca (Pali word) is translated with the negative aspect of impermanence. Can you say something about the positive aspects of change, alteration, evolution, variation and transformation.

Answer

To begin with, I would not agree with impermanence having only a negative aspect. The way we understand Anicca is that it just is. It's not really negative, it's not really positive, it just is. So with the words, "change, alteration, evolution, variation and transformation, etc." these are just various ways of interpreting Anicca or impermanence. Impermanence is not negative at all when you are sick. To know that your sickness is impermanent is quite a nice thing to think about. When you have broken your leg, to know that it's impermanent is a nice thing to think about. So I wouldn't say that it's always translated with a negative aspect. It's just what it is, impermanence, as part of the rules of the game. And if we know the rules of the game, then we can enjoy the game, so to speak. Some of you have heard about games like Monopoly before.

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