Andy Ohm

Scrolling through the depths of TikTok I came across a video of Kanye West. He was asked the question, ‘What do you hope your legacy is?’ and Kanye West responded with something I never would have expected.

“To be forgotten…”

The idea of impermanence, also known as “Anicca” in Buddhism, is the belief that all things, both animate and inanimate, are continually changing and transient. According to this idea, the entire cosmos is static and everything is always changing. 

Buddhist teachings emphasise the value of living in the moment and accepting the impermanence of existence, and the concept of impermanence is fundamental to these teachings. This theory holds that connection to things, people, or even oneself is ultimately pointless because everything is liable to change and deteriorate. 

This school of thought places a strong emphasis on the notion that nothing is permanent and that letting go of our attachment to material possessions can lead to inner peace and happiness.

In a recent TikTok video, Kanye West spoke about his desire to be forgotten.

He talked about how he wants to leave behind a legacy, but not necessarily in the way that people traditionally think of a legacy. 

He wants to be forgotten, just like people before him, the person who created the stop sign, or the sidewalk, do you remember who they are?

He said these ideas were so great that they lived on forever past the memory of their creators and shaped the world long after they were gone.

Wanting to be forgotten is a concept that can be difficult for many to understand. It is especially challenging to grasp when it comes from someone as famous as Kanye West. However, Kanye’s views on impermanence and the desire to be forgotten make sense when we consider the immense pressure and scrutiny that comes with fame and success. In many ways, it is understandable that someone would want to be free from the constant attention and expectations that come with fame. 

However, Embracing impermanence can be a powerful way to find peace and happiness in life.

It allows us to let go of the past and focus on the present moment. It also helps us to cultivate a more mindful and accepting attitude towards change. Although it may be challenging to let go of attachment to the things in our lives, embracing impermanence can ultimately lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.

So, embracing impermanence means accepting that everything in our lives is constantly changing and that nothing lasts forever. This can be a tough pill to swallow, especially when it comes to things we care about like our relationships, possessions, or even our bodies. But, when we resist impermanence and try to hold onto things that we know will eventually change, it can create a lot of stress and anxiety.

However, if we can learn to accept impermanence, it can be freeing. We can let go of our attachment to things and stop trying to control everything, which can help us focus more on the present moment.

This, in turn, can lead to greater peace of mind and a more mindful way of living.

Plus, when we embrace impermanence, we can find joy in the little moments and appreciate the people and experiences in our lives without worrying so much about losing them. This can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful way of living, where we’re less focused on material possessions and more focused on the present moment.

When it comes to impermanence, it’s worth thinking about how it affects us. Resisting change can create stress and anxiety while embracing it can lead to a more mindful and fulfilling life. By taking a closer look at our relationship with impermanence and the desire to be remembered, we can discover what matters to us and find more peace and happiness.

If you’re interested in exploring the topic further, there are tons of resources out there to check out. Some great books include “The Book of Joy” by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, and “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius.

In the end, embracing impermanence can be a powerful way to find inner peace and happiness. So, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we approach change and impermanence, and make an effort to live in the present moment and appreciate the beauty of life.