Quotes & Thoughts on Life Transitions

From C. G. Jung: Psychological Reflections, A new Anthology of His Writings, 1905 - 1916 (1978, Princeton/Bollingen Paperback Printing)

"...emotion is the chief source of consciousness. There is no change from darkness to light or from inertia to movement without emotion." (p.35)

"All the true things must change, and only that which changes remains true." (p. 51)

"Man is not a machine that can be remodeled for quite other purposes as occasion demands, in the hope that it will go on functioning as before but in a quite different way. He carries his whole history with him; in his very structure is written the history of mankind. ...Somehow the past must come alive and participate in the present..."

From Living Without Regret; Growing Old in the Light of Tibetan Buddhism by Arnaud Maitland (English Edition, 2005, Dharma Publishing, Berkeley, CA) (pages 15-21)

Impermanence may be the main characteristic of human existence. In daily lives good times and bad times come and go. Children grow up and adults grow old. Life goes on in endless cycles. Everything has a beginning, middle and end; each beginning contains its end and in each end, there is the promise of a new beginning. Nothing remains as it is. The present moment does not return. Part of the art of living is to begin each moment well, remain focused, gently let go, and then say good-bye, granting each time its own qualities.

If we experience transition from one day to the next with awareness, we can enter the future with a lighter, more open mind. At the end of the day or a phase, we can let everything pass in review: vivid memories, accomplishments, regret and remorse. We accept what has happened and then let it go. In this way, the transition to the next day becomes easier. We no longer carry the burden of strained relationships or painful memories of thoughtless actions. Nothing weighs our conscience down; feelings of self-pity or guilt do not consume us. Even death becomes an occasion for celebration, like a birth — the conclusion of a precious life and beginning of something new.

Impermanence is not merely a concept, but a lived experience. With practice, our minds and hearts become familiar with impermanence, and we move with change instead of resisting it. One method for establishing a conscious link to the passage of time is to bring awareness to the cycle of breath, focusing on each inhalation and exhalation in a neutral way. As we become attuned to the rhythm of breath, the ever-changing quality of time becomes inseparable from consciousness. Appreciation for time's constant flow becomes a natural part of our daily lives. Intimate with flow, we are at ease with change. Impermanence is no longer an obstacle or a threat, but a gateway to positive change.

APPRECIATION
... There are abundant ways to live a happy life and make a positive contribution to the world. Appreciation of these opportunities is the keynote of a meaningful existence.

... Developing appreciation, like any other mindset is a matter of habit. When we are caught up in negative patterns, it may seem that there is nothing to appreciate; all our energy seems to be focused on problems. ...Just as we acquired negative patterns by regularly repeating negative thoughts and feelings, we can develop appreciation by cultivating grateful thoughts and feelings. ...Soon an inner transformation is set in motion, and our intelligence and energy take on new forms.

In times of crisis, appreciation can be a potent medicine. We can ask ourselves, "Despite all my troubles, what good is concealed in this situation and in my life? In the midst of change and uncertainty, what do I know for sure?" Asking these questions generates appreciation.

We look for solutions by asking questions such as "How can this situation be improved?" and listening for answers. Gratitude for the guidance we receive helps us to understand that no condition is final, no suffering hopeless. Every situation gives us an opportunity to open to greater understanding. As appreciation deepens, love and wisdom are born.