The Buddha taught that there are five preconditions necessary for the development of meditation practice in seclusion—good friends, virtue and restraint, engaging in talk on the Dhamma, wise effort, wisdom. These preconditions, presented in the Meghiya Sutta, are developed progressively and support one another, with wisdom as the crowning jewel and chief. This talk explores the importance of wisdom for revealing the impermanent nature of all things. With the clarity of wisdom we discern the arising and passing of phenomena. This insight into impermanence undercuts habitual delusions that perpetuate blindly grasping and clinging transient things. Wisdom is important at all stages of the path. At the beginning of our practice, we need wisdom to discern the right direction, clarify our purpose and learn skillful methods; we need wisdom in the midst of the practice to make the many adjustments that sustain us on this path; and the path culminates in the wisdom that leads to release. With wisdom, we will see the changing nature of all things, and understand how we construct our perception of reality, discern the four noble truths of suffering, and recognize how we can realize the end of suffering.

We first look at the nature and limits of concentration, in part through the story of the Buddha. We then see how stillness developed in concentration, in relationship to the (relatively) still object, is brought to changing objects for the purpose of clear seeing of impermanence, suffering, and not self, leading to freedom.

Approaching, accepting, smiling with the nature of impermanence and uncertainty

The quality of equanimity is a significant factor in coming to terms with impermanence and its manifestations: agin, illness and death. Learning to find balance with regard to the reality of change is explored

Seeing life through the eyes of impermanence. How it affects our urgency for liberation.

We all have had experiences of impermanence, suffering, and not-self, but we haven't been able to generalize these as universal characteristics of conditioned things. Meditation instructions guide us to do so, allowing insight to arise. Examples of naturally arising "insights" which occur on retreat.

How come we forget about impermanence or try to deny the reality of change, aging and death. What happens when we turn toward this fact - so it supports life, freedom and well being and we use it as a inspiration to practice and experience the preciousness of the moment

Reflection on impermanence and how to work with challenges/hindrances that come up in practice.

We are deeply conditioned to respond to impermanence and inevitable loss by trying to control our experience. Our egoic reactivity prevents us from responding wisely to our life, and living the moments fully. This talk looks at how we can let go of controlling, open to the groundlessness we run from, and reconnect with the deep intelligence and love that flows through our being.

Discussion the truth of impermanence and all its implication for life and letting go.

Much of our daily life is make-believe. To be with the real we have to withdraw from this charade and embrace our actual experience, including the perception of impermanence.

The only thing that we can know for sure is the constancy of chance. It's the most basic fact of our existence. Realization of the truth of impermanence is a gateway out of feeling the separateness - the suffering of self-centered existence. We begin to understand that we are intimately woven into endlessly changing, reflective web of life.

Mula Sutta - impermanence as gateway - the unmoving - you wont find the wise one "out there."