This Too Shall Pass

By David Boddy

Take a moment right now to observe how you feel… Know that it will pass. Does this worry you or are you comfortable with it?

It’s a simple phrase with a simple meaning and you may have heard it before. ‘This too shall pass’ — the words and wisdom of a distant, ancient eastern sage. With its ties now to Buddhism, the message is simple and its potentially profound. 

From Buddhists to ballers it's one size fits all. Nothing remains the same forever and there’s no one that dodges the reality of this motto. 

Say you’re having a tough day but at least you know now that it’ll pass. Maybe you’re feeling lonely and this too shall pass. Or, you’re wanting to skip the drama that surrounds you, well, it too shall pass. 

Simple and simply reassuring through these unprecedented times. 

Do you ever see yourself holding onto a precious moment, or wishing another one away? We shift from one state to another, bearing judgment over each passing predicament, either wanting it to stay or wishing it would go. 

As we take each moment as though it were on a sliding scale — good, bad, happy, sad. One second you're biting your nails off and the next you’re laughing the hours away. 

Perhaps it helps to apply the knowledge that ‘this too shall pass’. I find then that the same slippery scale, no matter how flitting, takes on a different form. Those few words are somewhat of aid — a crutch for meditative living. With the understanding that every moment arrives in and out of its temporary nature, a constant, solid ground can be found that feels a lot like peace. 

‘This too shall pass’ may act as the light at the far end of the tunnel, but I believe its insight should be internalized on a far deeper scale. One to humble the very soul. I’ll explain… 

When we’re flying high and on a whim — the way back to earth can be a long way off. We can come crashing back down — made worse by the fact that we were once so high… But that each moment is temporary and will to pass in time, our humbled stance can have us land on our feet when the inevitable finally happens. This too shall pass — for the better or the worse. 

Holding keen in mind that our battles will not be fought forever, we can lift ourselves from off the ground. But when the high times roll on in, that same peace of mind will keep our feet on the ground. Life has its tide, that push and pull, not all from under our control. Our gift is to enjoy the waves. 

If you’re on top, don't be thinking you’re bound for a fall… Haste and unease are like a spanner in the works. Just know that you’re riding the crest of a wave that itself shall pass. 

For me, these words offer equilibrium. It seems obvious that they’ve found their association with Buddhism. 

We’re reminded of the ‘peaks and troughs’ of life constantly — if not by our seniors then by our own given mood as a day swings from good to bad. 

Up, down and so it goes. It doesn’t take a quote or phrase to catch onto that…

When we don’t know what’s around the corner; what it will bring and how it will make us feel, and as every changing moment flows in and out of our awareness, our grip, our attachment to the past, and our longing for the future can loosen. Peace and ease will take its space. 

There will always be reasons to smile. No matter what. There will be reasons to laugh and love, and to have us on the up. Equally, for us all, are pitfalls to bring us down — the downright ugly and moments of grief. 

Ourselves slung between the good and the bad — sometimes we are together in our battles but we’re often alone to face our shadow. 

I have faith that where these precious few words are in practice and are understood (‘this too shall pass’) there can be common ground between us all. A place of empathy, sympathy and mutual understanding that wherever I am and wherever you are, we are both in a state of flow. 

Peace is not found alongside happiness, nor sorrow. Rather, it can exist between the two if we loosen our clasp and allow whatever will pass, to pass. We can have peace amongst our sorrow and be calm throughout moments of joy — it’s all in the grip… 

I believe that this simple, relatable and easily integrated phrase has tremendous powers. 

Try it. Take a moment right now to observe how you feel. Note what is happening around you and the conditions that allow that present moment. 

Know that it will pass. 

Does this worry you or are you comfortable with it? 

And, if and when you notice yourself being down. Repeat the process: “This too shall pass…”

Again when you’re on the up: “This too shall pass…”

Whether you’re on top of the world or down in the dumps. You may look around and see everything aligning or falling apart… It goes without saying that we can all hope and act for the best. But to carry that extra dose of peace and to move forward with grace, we can each adhere to that beautiful phrase — This too shall pass.

David is a culture writer for La Tonique.