Everything we love, everything we hold onto, and even each passing moment is subject to change. How can we face the inevitability of loss without being overwhelmed by grief, fear, or sorrow?
This week I explored the Buddhist wisdom of impermanence and how we can find peace in a world where nothing stays the same. I talk about the difference between the unavoidable pain of loss and the additional suffering we create through clinging and resistance, and I offered five ways to practice with loss, from allowing ourselves to grieve to finding trustworthy sources of refuge and stability.
Impermanence isn’t just about what we’re losing. Every passing moment also brings something new. By recognizing both sides of change, we can appreciate the preciousness of life, deepen our compassion for others, and live more fully in the present.
If this talk resonates with you, I hope you’ll consider joining my 4-week course on Grief and Loss: https://rickhanson.com/online-courses/grief-and-loss/
Click here to join the free Wednesday Meditations – which are open to everyone!
Talk: How to Accept Loss and Live with an Open Heart
Time codes & main topics:
00:00 – Finding Peace and Letting Go of Self-Criticism
07:04 – Can We Love Without Attachment?
10:48 – Understanding Impermanence and the Nature of Loss
16:42 – Why Loss Hurts More Than Gain Feels Good
23:45 – How to Grieve Without Adding Suffering
29:47 – Living Fully in the Time We Have
31:21 – Finding Freedom in the Present Moment
36:54 – Taking Refuge in What Endures
Find Your Ground: A Meditation for Inner Peace and Stability
When the world feels uncertain and the ground beneath us seems shaky, how can we find a sense of stability within ourselves?
In this guided meditation, Dr. Rick Hanson invites you to come home to your body and cultivate a deep sense of being grounded, peaceful, and open-hearted. Through gentle awareness of the breath and body, you’ll practice releasing unnecessary anxiety, connecting with heartfelt feelings, and resting in a steady, peaceful presence that you can return to whenever life feels overwhelming.
