Anicca (Pali) or anitya (Sanskrit), which means impermanence, is the first of the three marks of existence that characterize all conditioned phenomena. The Buddha taught that recognizing impermanence is crucial for understanding the nature of reality and for following the path to liberation from suffering.
The second noble truth teaches that craving, aversion, and ignorance are the three main causes of suffering, or dukkha. Here, ignorance means not seeing things as they are—specifically, not recognizing the impermanent nature of all experiences, relationships, thoughts, emotions, and physical phenomena. In truth, everything that exists is impermanent, and everything that has a beginning also has an end.
Impermanence operates on multiple levels: gross impermanence, which we can observe directly (such as the changing seasons, aging, or the end of relationships), and subtle impermanence, the moment-to-moment flux of all phenomena that requires deeper investigation to perceive. Even seemingly stable objects are in constant change at the molecular level, and our thoughts and emotions arise and pass away continuously.
Due to our habitual way of relating to things, we wrongly see them as though they will last forever, or at least not change significantly. This misperception creates what Buddhist psychology calls reification—treating fluid, changing processes as if they were solid, permanent entities. It’s this wrong view that then causes us to grasp at pleasant experiences (upadana) and push away unpleasant experiences. If we truly recognized experiences as constantly changing, then there would be less reason for craving and aversion to arise.
Contemplating impermanence serves multiple purposes on the Buddhist path: it reduces attachment to temporary pleasures and possessions, diminishes fear of unpleasant experiences (since they too will pass), and cultivates appreciation for the present moment. The practice also prepares the mind for understanding the more subtle teachings on anatta (non-self) and shunyata (emptiness), as recognizing the impermanent nature of phenomena helps loosen our grip on fixed concepts and identities.

Things are not as solid as they seem and are constantly changing. Imagining them as solid and unchanging increases our craving and aversion, leading to suffering. Meditating on all things’ changing, impermanent, and empty nature helps train our minds to accept change, cling less, and suffer less.

Reflect on the experience of letting go of a fixed view or something they are attached to by imagining it being dismantled or seeing it as a collection of parts.

• What is something that changed that impacted you that you weren't expecting?
• How did that feel?
• What is something you don't want to change in your life?
• How would you feel if it changed?

Analyze the principle of impermanence, evaluate how perception of it transforms experience, and implement this insight to address fixation and suffering.