10:45 a.m.: There is a story of two brothers who were going through their deceased father's possessions and they discovered a tiny envelope. Inside the sons found 2 rings; one ring was an incredibly gorgeous diamond ring and another very simple silver ring. "Oh," said the eldest son, "this diamond ring looks like it must be a family heirloom so since I am the eldest, I should have this ring." "Fine, fine, you have it," said the younger son.
As life moved on the eldest son would ride the pinnacles of life's highs and dive into the depths of life's darkness, always craving the highs and always resisting the lows.ย The younger son, inquisitive,ย thought, "my father kept this simple silver ring for some reason…I wonder why?" As he looked closer he saw the words, "This will also change…" etched inside. "Ahhh…I get it." So as the cold winter ravaged the land the young son would say, "it's ok, this is impermanent,ย this will also change." As summer would come to warm his skin he would think, "it's ok, this will also change," always remaining balanced in the mind and heart.
This is an ancient Buddhist tale of the law of nature, anicca, the Pali word meaning impermanence. Since my 1st Vipassana it has been my favorite story. It was the influence for the tattoo on my left forearm and on my 6th Vipassana, I still smiled when I heard it, and 4 rows back and across the aisle, so did Jo, on her first Vipassana. A year later, for our anniversary, she bought us each a simple silver ring, etched inside were the words, "This will also change…" as a symbol of a strengthened commitment to our relationship.ย Moments later she shook her head and said, "I don't want to live by fear anymore, I know what I want and that's you! Will you marry me?" And at that moment…the ring, which serves as a daily reminder of "anicca"ย changed into our engagement rings.
A month later, while hiking out of Tall Trees Grove in the Redwood National Forest, Jo stopped and quietly asked, "what would you say if we dropped our backpacks off just down there, I took my clothes off and I said you could shoot me naked with the old growth?" I said, "FUCK YEAH! BEST. FUTURE. WIFE. EVER!!!!" #whpthisislove
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