The Teacup is Already Broken
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“You see this cup? For me, this cup is already broken. Because I know its fate, I can enjoy it fully here and now. And when it’s gone, it’s gone.” — Ajahn Chah, Thai Forest Monk
There’s a story in the Buddhist tradition about a beloved teacup.
A monk lifts a delicate cup in his hand and says, “To me, this cup is already broken.” He does not say this with sadness or detachment, but with presence. “Because I know that it is already broken—because I know that its time is brief—I can love it deeply now. I can cherish its coolness, its smooth shape, the sound it makes when tapped. And when it shatters, I am not surprised.”
Lately, I’ve been wondering what it would mean to live like that—with eyes open to the beauty and the brevity of things. This is a story about impermanence—a truth we all know but struggle to live with: that everything we love will change. Nothing we build will last forever. The teacup will break.
It’s easy to hear this and fall into despair. But the wisdom here is not nihilism—it’s liberation. When we accept that nothing is permanent, we become free to love what is without clutching it. We stop living in fear of loss and start practicing reverence for the fragile beauty of now.
Perhaps the invitation of this moment in human history where lots seems to be breaking isn’t to glue the shards back together in denial. Perhaps it’s to grieve with honesty—and love what’s here while it is still here.
In Christian terms, this is resurrection wisdom, a kind of holy unknowing. Jesus never promised permanence. He promised presence. “I am with you always,” he said—not “I will keep everything the same.”
And so, maybe the path forward isn’t to try to fix what’s collapsing, but to deepen our capacity to live in love with what is… while it is.
The cup is already broken. And still, it is beautiful.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
Is there something in your life that you’re afraid to lose right now? What would it feel like to cherish it instead of cling to it?
How does the idea of impermanence make you feel—anxious, peaceful, both?
Can you name something you love that may not last forever—but is beautiful now?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Loving Won’t Last
Loving Presence,
Teach us to hold what we love with reverence, not resistance.
Help us remember that everything we see and touch is temporary—
and that this is not a curse, but a kind of miracle.
When things crack or fade,
when we lose what we thought we’d always have,
don’t let us grow hard or bitter.
Keep our hearts soft, and our gratitude alive.
Give us courage to love what is,
to let go when it’s time,
and to trust that even in the breaking,
you are near.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Holding What Will Not Last
Choose one object in your home today—a cup, a photograph, a note from someone you love. Hold it in your hands. Imagine it already gone. Not to be morbid—but to be present.
Feel what arises in you: gratitude, sadness, joy, fear. Let it all come.
Now, bless that object. Say aloud or silently:
“You are beautiful. I am grateful for your presence. And I release my need for you to last forever.”
Repeat this practice with a relationship, a role you play, or a belief you hold. Let impermanence be not a threat—but a teacher of deeper presence, fuller love, and lasting peace.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
NEW!!! On June 4, 2025, from 7-8pm ET, Join Brian McLaren, Matthew Fox and me for an exploration of “Life After Doom” inspired by Brian’s latest book. In an age of climate crisis, political unraveling, and societal collapse, many are asking: What now? What’s worth doing when the systems around us are failing? How do we find meaning beyond hope as we’ve known it? Join us and we will explore together. Register here.
June 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Jeff Chu has written a new book on a topic close to my heart: Soil! The title is “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.” I am so pleased to be interviewing him. Together, we’ll explore what it means to cultivate “good soil” in our lives, our communities, and our spiritual practices. I hope you will register. Your registration includes a copy of his new book.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more.
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
Your Holy wisdom and sharing has been a balm to my soul. I’m so very grateful for your presence in my life.
This perspective, rooted in the teachings of Ajahn Chah and revisited by many spiritual voices over decades, encourages us to let go of the fear of loss and instead celebrate the present moment. Instead of mourning the inevitable endings, we’re invited to immerse ourselves in the gift of now. Every laugh, every shared thought, or even a beautifully flawed teacup becomes infinitely more valuable when seen through such a lens.