12.12.12

Today is 12.12.12. It's notable because it's the last time this repetitive digital pattern will happen for a calendar date in this century. The next time the month, day, and year will be represented by the same digits will be Jan. 1, 2101 -- 01.01.01.

There are lots of things you can read into the date. But for Buddhists, it serves as a reminder that every
day -- every moment -- happens and is gone, replaced by a new moment. We are always starting fresh.

As it says in the Heart Sutra:

Therefore, the great mantra of prajnaparamita, the mantra of great insight, the unsurpassed mantra, the unequaled mantra, the mantra that calms all suffering, should be known as truth, since there is no deception. The prajnaparamita mantra is said in this way:

OM GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SVAHA

That translates to "gone gone all the way gone crossing over yes!"

Or "arriving arriving always arriving arriving again Awake!"

Each moment is here, then gone -- as is this day, this year, this life. Live in it fully because you don't get a second chance.

Use 12.12.12 as a reminder to appreciate this precious human birth -- and all the days that come with it.