you’d think a concept this simple would be less difficult to understand. but it is easier to understand than it is to enact. believe it.
i enjoy reading the series ‘dharma the cat’ as it often takes these concepts and presents them in ways that are both easy for western minds to grasp and not quite as wrapped in buddhism as teachings. i suppose that sounds distinguishing, but what i mean is that it is something that is easier to approach by those who are curious of buddhism and perhaps a bit fretful of being able to understand it.
take this entry, for example, in relation to skillful means:
http://www.dharmathecatcartoons.com/15blog/?p=159
the cartoon is elegantly simple, as they always are… but it is the commentary that follows that often delivers the insight in a soft and easy to accept manner.
i also like the deft definition given for skillful means, “any method that comprises a beneficial intention and a beneficial result.”
it’s damn hard sometimes to have beneficial intention, but it is practically impossible to know that a particular set of actions WILL have a beneficial result.
or is it?
here is where things get interesting for me. and from here on out, i’m going to frame this as a discussion about me and my thoughts, since i can’t really speak for anyone else.
the initial thought here is, ‘well, that tears it. i can never possibly have skillful means because there is no way i can know that a particular set of actions given with beneficial intention WILL have a beneficial result.’
but then, it’s like my logic gets pushed off a cliff and a little voice that is not mine (?) whispers, “you forget, all actions given with beneficial intention will have a beneficial result.”
and then, of course, i have to argue with this mysterious little voice that is telling me something i really want to believe, but am having some pretty intense difficulty in believing.
‘why do you say that? how can you know that? why should i even listen to you? who are you, anyway?’
“all actions given with beneficial intention will have a beneficial result. eventually.”
hah. now you see? that little voice is trying to hoodwink me by saying it doesn’t matter because kamma works itself out through every action and reaction. so what do i say?
‘i know better than that! actions create reactions. and actions that create negative reactions do not bring beneficial results, they only bring more kamma that must be addressed.’
i figure i’ve got it stumped now. but i’m wrong.
“how do you know that your action is not required to reach the ultimate benefit?”
‘wouldn’t it be kind of arrogant and egotistical to think that? i mean, come on, pretty soon, with that kind of thinking, i can justify or rationalize just about anything.”
“perhaps. but wouldn’t justifying or rationalizing just about anything be impossible as long as you maintain the check of beneficial intention?”
oooh. good one. hmmm.
‘so you’re saying when it is something that occurs to be done simply from a wish to benefit another, it will always bring a beneficial result?’
“eventually, yes.”
‘but… what if it doesn’t bring a beneficial result when i do it? what if someone gets angry? what if they hurt me? what if they go away or hate me forever for it?’
“why would that possibly matter?”
‘do you mean i may not always get the confirmation of seeing of knowing the benefit? well i think that sucks!’
“that’s true. but that’s also a good way to double check your intentions.”
ouch. damn it. little voice has a good point. i’m still noodling it around my head. but it seems to make sense. and yeah, i do realize that noodling it around in my head likely is not the best thing for me to be doing with it… but in an odd way, it feels kind of comforting.