‘Change is the only constant.
Everything changes and nothing stands still.’

– Heraclitus

With my heart so affected by recent newsworthy events, and in touch with the vulnerability of being human, I want to write briefly about transition and change, in particular for the oldest children in our school. I will lead a puja on Tuesday, the day after the summer solstice, honouring this stage in their journey to adulthood and maturity.

Anicca (Pali, impermanence) is one of the foundational premises of Buddhism, which asserts that all physical and mental events – including ourselves – are not constant or permanent. All formations (be they mental or physical) come into being, dependent on conditions, then change and finally dissolve or decay.

Many emotions accompany change and often there is a sense of breaking new ground, a lack of comfort and the ‘seasaw-ing’ of fear and excitement. It can be hard to remain present and connected when the mind jumps forward into a series of ‘what if’s?’ Often, we want everything to stay the same, but at the same time, we crave variety and recognise our need for growth. We grasp tightly to how we think things should be and, simultaneously, admire and want innovation.

Impermanence is a source of uncomfortableness, unease or dukkha. I believe that it is really possible to soften and relax into the inevitable movement of change and that the particular environment and practices of our school help children navigate this. By stressing the importance of emotional resilience, kindness and mindfulness throughout their time here, we set up habits of mind that can soothe and guide during the transition of leaving our school and moving on to secondary or senior school.

I wrote this poem as a reflection on the process of transition of our oldest children:

Transition into increasing complexity -
Early adolescence.
From safety into less holding,
From the known to the less known,
From the old to the new,
From the small to the bigger pond,
From the oldest to the youngest (again),
Through uncertainty and out the other side,
You are ready! You are ready to leap!

The risk may feel great but there are invisible hands holding you,
A leap of increased choice and independence.
You can trust yourself here,
Though you are worried,
Though you are frightened.

We are a safe harbour
Of saying yes, in hope,
Of opening in your own unique way and at your own unique pace,
Of following your arrow (wherever it falls),
Of kindness to yourself,
Of winning some and losing some but of having a go nevertheless
Of putting one foot in front of the other –
The present and the next present moment
Of being perfect as you.

Ultimately, and after the event, I am generally grateful for the growth and learning that comes with transition and change. At the solstice puja on Tuesday, I hope to share some thoughts on how to ride the wave of change in order to grow, transform and evolve.