Hi everybody,

Seasonal change and personal renewal

Change is inevitable. And beautiful. At this time of year, the leaves remind us of the best aspects of change: surprise, artistry, and newness. This time of year is also familiar. The cycle of the seasons is reassuring.

Leaves change. Seasons recur. 

Nature shifts. Nature stays the same. 

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The way we see it depends on the perspective we take. 

In ancient philosophy, this contrast is presented through the figures of Heraclitus and Parmenides. Heraclitus saw a world in flux, and Paremenides saw one of permanence. 

It was Heraclitus who famously said, “You can’t step in the same river twice, because it’s not the same river, and it’s not the same person.” Parmenides is to have said, “It is indifferent to me where I begin, for there I shall return again.” These contrasting perspectives remind me of one of my favorite sayings:

“We don’t believe what we see, we see what we believe.” 

What we see is up to us, perhaps to a greater extent than we realize, because what we believe determines what we see, and belief can be a conscious choice. 

Here is an example of how you could change a belief, if you wanted to. 

Life’s progression is usually described as growing old, but it could be described as becoming new. 

Grow old, or become new? 

The view you take is up to you.

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A tree’s changing leaves are very like our changing selves. The beauty of change comes again and again. 

There is newness in people throughout their lives. We should be open to that, and not see people as fixed. We are all always changing. Each one of us.  

People and leaves change on Kingfisher Bridge.

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And yet, certain parts of us persist. For me, it is a love of nature, and philosophy, and people. These are constant.

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Buddhism tells us that resisting change causes suffering, because to resist change is to resist nature. Life is easier when we don’t fight change. 

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Socrates encouraged us to examine our lives and know ourselves. Because the metamorphosis that is a human life never stops, self-examination and self-knowledge are lifelong quests. 

At Sedona Philosophy we think that where we get to know ourselves matters, and that nature is the best place for it. Happy World Philosophy Day!

Philosophy Sunday on Zoom