I ran into the word “无常” a few days ago, and it really intrigued me to find out its meaning.
“无常” or “世事无常,” in my understanding, means that everything in the world is constantly flowing, so change is the natural state of things.
Interestingly, it reminds me of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle in quantum mechanics. It says we cannot know everything with absolute certainty and can only predict probabilities. It may seem strange to connect a philosophical idea with a scientific theory, but both point toward the same realization: change is the natural state of existence.
Yet as human beings, we resist change. We long for certainty and permanence. That is why we write stories about eternal love and lifelong friendship, and perhaps they still exist. But nature itself, at the most fundamental level, is constantly shifting.
So perhaps we should learn to accept incomplete or temporary relationships. Partners may leave, children will grow up, and seasons of life will pass. But that does not necessarily mean failure. Sometimes, it simply means it is time to change.
Disclaimer:
This post is part of my personal learning journal. It reflects my current understanding and reflections, not academic or religious expertise.