The Intelligence of Accepting Impermanence

by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

(From commentary by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche on the Words of My Perfect Teacher, February 23, 2013)
 
“Venerable monk,” the Geshe replied, “renounce this life! Renounce this life!”
-The Words of My Perfect Teacher, p. 97
 
Now this could be misunderstood as renouncing one’s “life.” It’s not this life that we really renounce. But, in relation to life we have various attachments. Unless these are checked they will never become conscious. They continually control us, causing us a lot of trouble and a lot of suffering. Yet at the same time we accept this as normal, as how everyone naturally lives. But, the practitioner who is brave enough to challenge has to ask certain questions. “Why am I so attached to my life? Why am I so attached to the many things of this life?” No matter how poignant and painful this may be at times, if you pose those questions honestly, sincerely and fearlessly, you gradually gain release from your attachments through being able to accept impermanence. You can begin to see that we must all let go anyway, either forcefully due to circumstances, or through the will to let go before one is forced.
 
If we actually do let go willingly, from looking sincerely at our own life and our attachments then we become free and at ease, because we reside deeply in a place where some of the work of renunciation has been accomplished.
One of my great teachers said that if you can get to this place of renunciation to life, or samsara, then half of the Dharma practice is thereby done. Dharma practice is meant to free us, to bring us a deep sense of peace and ease, and joy to live as a practitioner.
 
If you look at all of the great masters, they have embraced their life more than any of us can ever imagine, but in their heart of hearts they have no attachments, and therefore they are actually completely resolved and at ease, and have that kind of joy in serving others. So, I think this is what it means here in the text.