The human condition is often one of striving – striving to achieve, to become, to possess. We are always in pursuit of something, whether it’s wealth, status, relationships, or even spiritual enlightenment. Yet, from a broader perspective, there’s an understanding that fundamentally, “there’s nothing to be gained nor is there anything to be lost.” This statement may initially seem puzzling, nihilistic even, but upon deeper contemplation, it unveils a profound wisdom that can lead to peace and freedom.

The Illusion of Gain and Loss

At the heart of this concept is the understanding of the impermanence of everything in this world. Everything we perceive is in a constant state of flux. Our relationships, possessions, status – all these are subject to change and dissolution. Even our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions are fleeting, coming and going like waves on the ocean. What then, can we truly gain or lose?

When we cling to things or people, desiring to possess them or fearing to lose them, we suffer. This is because we are attempting to impose a sense of permanence on the inherently impermanent. We are resisting the natural flow of life. Understanding this fundamental truth, we see that there is nothing we can truly gain or lose because everything is transient.

Freedom in Non-Attachment

Recognizing that there is nothing to gain or lose can lead to a profound sense of freedom. This doesn’t mean we stop engaging with life or stop having goals. Instead, it’s about engaging fully and freely, without attachment to outcomes. It’s about doing our best, putting in the necessary effort, yet not being bound by the desire for specific results.

This is the essence of non-attachment, a central tenet in many spiritual traditions. Non-attachment doesn’t mean indifference or lack of care. Instead, it’s about freedom from the mental and emotional clinging that leads to suffering.

The Middle Way

The wisdom of “there’s nothing to gain nor is there anything to be lost” also points to the Middle Way, a concept often associated with Buddhism. The Middle Way refers to a balanced approach to life, avoiding both extreme asceticism and indulgence in sensual pleasures.

Living the Middle Way means understanding the nature of desires and their inability to provide lasting satisfaction. It’s about recognizing that our happiness and peace lie not in gaining or avoiding loss but in understanding and accepting the transient nature of all phenomena.

When we realise that there’s nothing to be gained nor is there anything to be lost, we open ourselves to the full experience of life as it is, without clinging, without resistance. We find peace not in possession or achievement, but in the deep understanding of the impermanence of all things. This wisdom allows us to navigate life with ease and grace, fully present, fully engaged, and yet free from the bondage of attachment and aversion.