The words of the Teacher:
A generation goes, and a generation comes,
but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises and the sun goes down,
and hurries to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south,
and goes around to the north;
round and round goes the wind,
and on its circuits the wind returns.
All streams run to the sea,
but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow,
there they continue to flow. – Ecclesiastes 1: 4-7
Some teachers believe Ecclesiastes preaches that life is meaningless.
“Vanity of vanities… all is vanity” is a key phrase.
And the words seem to suggest that
Life is fleeting, like a wisp of smoke,
and you can almost hear this Ecclesiastes teacher sigh.
Nothing makes sense to this Teacher.
You get the sense they feel a little lost in the world.
Perhaps the way we feel some days!
Yes, impermanence and instability makes it a challenge to live well.
This we know.
But does this make Life meaningless?
I wonder …
When everything is changing, and so much is unknown
and uncertainty makes for a fearful future,
it can feel like our efforts are like a wisp of smoke.
And yet …
In the Wisdom way, we live with present moment awareness,
not leaning into the past or anticipating the future.
We are here now.
We receive each moment without judgement,
We let it go without clinging.
Like the sun rising
Like the wind blowing
Like the stream flowing
a living circle,
a circle of life.
The Teacher observes how fleeting life can feel. When have you felt the passing nature of things most strongly?
In the Wisdom way, we receive each moment and let it go without clinging. What helps you return to the present when your thoughts drift toward past regrets or future worries?
The sun rises and sets, the wind circles, the streams keep flowing. Where do you notice the quiet rhythms of life continuing around you? Create a simple circle on a page. Inside the circle, draw or place small images or words inspired by the Teacher’s observations: sun, wind, water, sky, movement, breath. Sit back and notice the quiet rhythm of the world continuing — and your place within it.
A very helpful reflection considering the times and circumstances in which we currently live. Thank you.