I am a computer programmer by trade, and so my thoughts on the nature of ourselves is tainted by this perspective. I see our physical bodies like computer hardware … they don't do much by themselves except get out-of-date. That activity in our frontal-lobes that controls a good chunk of our conscious decisions and thoughts (known elsewhere as our soul or spirit) is the software. This software doesn't work well without a host body. The electricity that fuels this beast is what we call life, and I'm not sure I completely understand where this energy comes from, I sure do appreciate it.

With these examples described, let's see what insights this model can illuminate.

As a computer programmer (often referred to as a geek), I often think of an enhancement to one of my programs and start to make changes to the "source code" which I put back into place and re-start it up. At this point, I notice a problem (a bug) and repeat this process until I am satisfied (or I am too tired and go to bed).

But isn't this re-programming what we do to ourselves on a regular basis? If I decide to quit smoking, practice yoga or learn a new skill are just attempts to reprogram myself. While we perceive children doing more of this activity, I think the truth of the matter is that we are constantly reprogramming ourselves. It is just that as we get older, we reprogram ourselves based on more established patterns and rules we developed when we were younger.

When I enhance one of my programs, I often change the version number. Because it is technically a different program. So, now I have HowardProgram, version 2.4 … but while it isn't the same program, it is also not a different program. And this leads me in the Buddhist concept of impermanence. As Thich Nhat Hanh wrote in the September 2002 issue of Shambhala Sun:

When we bathe in the river today that we bathed in yesterday, is it the same river? … The water in the river today is completely different from the water we bathed in yesterday. Yet it is the same river.

What is interesting is that we can't stop reprogramming ourselves … it is part of our nature. And clinging to past versions doesn't help. In fact, another Buddhist concept is to relish in this nature of impermanence. Thich Nhat Hanh continues …

The insight of impermanence helps us to go beyond all concepts. It helps us to go beyond same and different, coming and going. It helps us to see that the river is not the same river but is also not different either. It shows us that the flame we lit on our bedside candle before we went to bed is not the same flame of the next morning. The flame on the table is not two flames, but it is not one flame either.

We are often sad and suffer a lot when things change, but change and impermanence have a positive side. Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible. Life itself is possible... If your daughter is not impermanent, she cannot grow up to become a woman. Then your grandchildren would never manifest. So instead of complaining about impermanence, we should say, "Warm welcome and long live impermanence." We should be happy. When we can see the miracle of impermanence our sadness and suffering will pass.