
The Principle of Impermanence in Buddhism
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July 4, 2018Last Updated on January 13, 2026 by Matthew Sockolov
The haste and rush of modern life put a lot of strain and stress on people. For many of us, a common day is full of numerous chores and tasks we have to squeeze in our busy schedules. Hence, constantly scrambling between household duties and work, it’s no wonder we feel exhausted at the end of the day. And as sad as it might sound, some fail to find enough time for themselves while others still try to find the way to make a break in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relieve that tension. Let it be half an hour a day, but you should give yourself some time to relax and settle your mind. This is exactly what the meditation will help you do.
What It’s All About?
Meditation is much more than a buzzword you would often come across in modern magazines and Internet articles and posts. Initially being a spiritual practice applied by Buddhist monks to be closer to God, today, meditation became a real lifesaver for many common people. And while some who consider themselves expert meditators would claim you can achieve zen only somewhere on the top of a mountain or in an ancient Buddhist sanctuary, others could meditate while sitting under a big umbrella for garden right in their backyard.Meditation is not confined to any place and there is no special time for it. It is absolutely free and available for everyone. The early riser might prefer to meditate in the morning and get prepared for the pressures of the day while sleepyheads would mediate in the evening to unwind and shake off the stress before going to bed. It’s all about your individual habits and likes. Anyway, a meditation session won’t take more than 20 minutes and will fit the tightest schedule.
Where to Meditate?
Unless you are a yogi seeking nirvana or a truly deep immersion into unexplored nooks of your consciousness, you do not necessarily need to climb the top of a mountain, get into virgin woods, or go to some desolate islands to meditate. Though you can do it if you want, you will hardly have a chance to visit Tibet temples or Buddhist retreats in India and Thailand very often. Yet, meditation practice is fully “portable”, it is rather about emotion and state of mind than any specific place or location. Wonder where you can mediate? Here are some ideas on some pretty usual meditation places and those you don’t even think about.
A meditation room. You can turn any room in your household, be it a bedroom, study or living room into a special room for your meditation practice. Just find a quiet place where you can silently sit and distract from the whole world for a while.
Meditating in nature. During a warm season, it is nice to bring your meditation sessions outdoors. You can either simply use the lawn in your own garden or backyard or go to the park, beach, or river bank depending on what is around your dwelling. Sitting on the grass or sand, getting a lung full of fresh air, listening to rustling leaves, and contemplating the flowing and splashing water will make you feel closer to nature and help you dive into a pleasant state of tranquility and mindfulness.
Rooftops. Living in cities full of skyscrapers we do not see that open infinite turquoise blue sky you would see in the dessert or near the ocean. Those who live in multi-storeyed buildings have a unique opportunity to meditate on the roofs. While enjoying inspiring sunrises and exhilarating sunsets and watching billions of stars in the night sky, you will feel a part of universe and all hassles and routines of everyday life will seem so insignificant.
Public places. How often do you feel like exploding when going to work in subway, waiting for your plane at the airport or sitting more than an hour at the doctor’s office? It’s just the right time to meditate. Sometimes, noisy and crowded environments are the best spots to “reboot” your thoughts.
Anywhere. Any time you need a stress-relieving break, you can go for short 2-5 minute meditation sessions. Whether you drive a car, work at your desk, sit in the bar, or even run on a treadmill, you can always focus on your thoughts and let the whole world wait a bit.




