Earlier quoted context omitted.
Hmm, a couple of reasons: * some subjective 'proof' that there's more than just this material existence * the impermanence of all things in life seems pointless and makes me sad * personal growth emotionally and spiritually * to aid meditation. It's supposed to allow you to enter deeper absorptive states quickly - which is where you can do the real work of gaining insight - without having to adopt a 24/7 monastic lif…
> the impermanence of all things in life seems pointless and makes me sad Wouldn't impermanence itself be impermanent then so we won't need be bothered by it too much?
Probably above my pay grade, but as I see it the issue is how we typically relate to the world that causes this kind of sadness, rather than the fact itself. It's like, even though I consciously understand nothing lasts forever, I can't help being sad by it. Some deep structure of my mind won't accept it. The aim of Buddhist insight meditation is, as I understand it, to get to a deep enough level of your mind that you finally accept this at your core. This brings about freedom/liberation, as from then on you're able to just go with the flow without the slightest desire for permanence (or anything really). At least, that's the sales pitch.