The thirteenth breath leads us to contemplate the impermanence of all phenomena: momentary impermanence—constant change in each instant, and periodic impermanence—sudden transformation, like water turning to vapor at 100 degrees, or at ages 13–14 when limbs grow awkwardly, the stages of infancy, youth, adulthood, maturity, old age; the tree in winter sheds its leaves, then in spring leaves burst forth. By seeing impermanence, we touch non-self, and then open the door to the peace of nirvana; the three Dharma seals are revealed: impermanence, non-self, nirvana. Impermanence is not negative: it is because the corn seed is impermanent that it can sprout, it is thanks to impermanence that a dictatorship can hope to become a democracy, it is because of impermanence that a liver ailment can heal. Suffering comes when we do not see impermanence; seeing impermanence brings peace.

Practice through four deep contemplative breaths:

• 13: impermanence (anicca)
• 14: letting go, relinquishment
• 15: nirodha—the cessation, transcending birth and death, permanence and annihilation, being and non-being, coming and going
• 16: the peace of nirvana

Non-attachment is illuminated: all phenomena are inherently without craving, it is only due to wrong perception; the five sensual desires—sexual desire, wealth, fame, delicious food, sleep—are like a plastic shrew: when we bite, we suffer. Letting go of the notion of conditioned happiness: “I must have a diploma,” “I must marry that person”—the key to happiness is letting go, not being lured by the bait of power, like Mr. Delors at seventy not running for office. Impermanence and non-self are nirvana; the three faces of a coin all return to the substance of silver, just as impermanence and non-self return to nirvana—touching the joy of the cessation of afflictions.