Why do we have to contemplate the impermanence of the body?

When we reside in the body we can attach to it. If we know it to be impermanent, then we will no longer attach to it. We don’t think it’s real or it’s ours. If we don’t attach to it any more, then we can open the door of wisdom. We can go deep into mind, and destroy self or bad habit. So, knowing the whole body is always to come along with knowing the impermanence of the body.

Thank to contemplating the impermanence of the body, we gradually wipe out our basic instinct. For example, we were once greedy, but now we are not greedy any more, or we used to grow angry more than often, but now we can control ourselves.

If we can destroy an attachment to the body, then our mind can be peaceful. We can easily have sympathy for people who make mistakes. We even hope they will change better one day.

Why do we have to contemplate the impermanence of the body?
Why do we have to contemplate the impermanence of the body?

Based on the doctrine of impermanence, we can never think that everything will last long or stable. When we achieve the significant increase in prosperity we don’t know for sure whether it can be maintained for good. Receiving love or a favor from the other, we shouldn’t subjectively think that they will love us forever. Facing adversity or obstacle, we must keep calm, not retreat from practice, not despair, and not be pessimistic, because we know everything won’t last long.

For this reason, when we practice meditation at the first step, we should know well the whole body, which will help our brain relax, and then it can return to its function.

If we don’t know our body to be impermanent, then we keep on loving it. Thus, our basic instinct still exists in mental formation. At that time, though our brain relaxes, our selfishness, desires, anger, and greed will be never destroyed, and they can drive us to hell.

This is because our ego is untouched.

If we know well the whole body, and then we know it to be impermanent, then our selfishness, desires, anger, and greed will be gradually destroyed. That is why the Buddha taught us that we should contemplate the impermanence of the body that will be reduced to ashes one day.

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