Even This Shall Pass Away: The Philosophy of Impermanence
The poem "Even This Shall Pass Away" beautifully encapsulates the wisdom of impermanence—an age-old truth echoed in various philosophies, religions, and literary works. The Persian king’s signet ring, engraved with these solemn words, serves as a guiding light, reminding him (and us) that everything—be it joy, sorrow, wealth, suffering, or even life itself—is transient.
This philosophy, simple yet profound, resonates across cultures and time. It teaches us humility in moments of triumph, resilience in times of despair, and detachment from both material possessions and fleeting emotions. The king’s journey in the poem, from revelry to suffering, from power to decay, from life to death, mirrors the cycles we all experience, making this wisdom universally relevant.
Impermanence in Philosophies and Teachings
1. The Stoic Perspective: All is Fleeting
The Stoic philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome—Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus—emphasized the transient nature of life. They urged people to neither cling to pleasure nor despair in suffering. In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius writes:
"Observe how ephemeral and worthless human things are... Today a drop of semen, tomorrow a pile of ashes."
This aligns perfectly with the Persian king’s realization: wealth, power, pleasure, and even pain are temporary. Stoicism teaches that by understanding impermanence, we gain inner peace and fortitude.
2. The Buddhist Doctrine of Anicca (Impermanence)
Buddhism places impermanence (Anicca) at the heart of its teachings. The Buddha taught that all things—material and immaterial—are in constant flux. Attachment to transient things leads to suffering (dukkha), while true wisdom comes from embracing change.
Consider the Buddhist parable of the sand mandala: monks painstakingly create intricate designs with colored sand, only to wipe them away upon completion. This ritual symbolizes the transient nature of existence, much like the Persian king's realization that "Even this shall pass away."
3. Hinduism: The Illusion of Permanence (Maya)
In Hindu philosophy, the world is seen as Maya—an illusion of permanence. The Bhagavad Gita reminds us:
"That which is born will die, and that which dies will be born again."
Hinduism teaches detachment (Vairagya), urging individuals to focus on self-realization rather than being entangled in the ephemeral pleasures and pains of life. The king’s reflection on fame—"Fame is but a slow decay"—aligns with this, as even the most celebrated figures eventually fade into history.
Lessons from the Poem: Applying Impermanence in Life
The Persian king experiences life’s highs and lows—wealth, pleasure, pain, fame, and even the approach of death. Yet in every circumstance, his ring whispers the same truth:
"Even this shall pass away."
1. In Times of Joy: Stay Humble
When the king revels in his court, surrounded by laughter and applause, he reminds himself that pleasure is transient. This echoes the Stoic practice of negative visualization—imagining the loss of what we hold dear to appreciate it more fully without attachment.
Example: A young athlete wins a championship and basks in glory. But if he remembers that fame is fleeting, he remains grounded and focused, knowing that success today does not guarantee it tomorrow.
2. In Times of Suffering: Have Patience
When the king is wounded in battle, he consoles himself with the same wisdom—pain, no matter how intense, will eventually pass. This is a powerful lesson in resilience.
Example: A person going through heartbreak or financial crisis may feel overwhelmed, but knowing that this too shall pass gives them the strength to endure and move forward.
3. In Moments of Power: Avoid Ego
The king stands before his own statue and questions the worth of fame, realizing that even the greatest names are eventually forgotten. History is filled with once-glorious rulers and leaders whose legacies have crumbled.
Example: A CEO at the peak of their career should recognize that power is temporary. Leaders like Steve Jobs left a lasting impact, but even the biggest corporate empires evolve, fade, or fall.
4. In Facing Death: Find Peace
At the end of his life, the king questions death itself, only to see a sunbeam illuminating his ring—affirming that even death is a transition, not an end.
Example: Many spiritual traditions offer comfort by viewing death not as an absolute end but as a passage. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Bardo Thodol (Tibetan Book of the Dead) describes death as a transition to another state of existence.
Final Thought: The Eternal Whisper of Change
The Persian king’s wisdom is a gift for all of us. Whether we stand in moments of triumph or despair, we must remember:
Nothing lasts forever—neither joy nor suffering, neither success nor failure.
This realization is not meant to induce apathy but to cultivate balance, resilience, and mindfulness. It encourages us to embrace life fully while maintaining the serenity to let go when the time comes.
So, the next time life blesses you with happiness, enjoy it without clinging. When hardships arise, endure them with patience. Because, in the end...
Even this shall pass away.
It is a short poem by William Ernest Henley , and a great one! One of my ever favorites. 
