The Five Remembrances

One of the teachings of the Buddha and Thich Nhat Hanh are "The Five Remembrances" or five truths that the Buddha guided us to contemplate and accept:

I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.

I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape ill health.

I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.

All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.

My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

Contemplating The Five Remembrances has helped us deepen our mindfulness practice. Knowing that we are of the nature to grow old, get ill, and die, we can embrace our health, youthfulness and live life fully. Knowing that life is impermanent, we can embrace and appreciate our loved ones and enjoy every moment we have with them. Knowing that our actions are our only true belongings, we take responsibility for our views, thoughts, words and actions, and move in the direction of compassion and understanding for ourselves and others.

The Five Remembrances reminds us that life is short and we must embrace every moment, and that every moment is a wonderful moment.

Smiling to life,
Sarah