Wednesday 5 August 2020

FULL MOON – Consequences

Even those who perform evil 
can experience well-being 
so long as their actions 
have not yet borne direct fruits. 
However, when the results 
of their actions ripen, 
the painful consequences 
cannot be avoided. 

Dhammapada v.119 

We might like to think that we can get away with doing something that is wrong so long as nobody else knows about it. However, we know about it; and we know that we know about it. We have to live with ourselves every day and every night for the rest of our lives. We have to be ready to remember every intentional action that we have ever performed. Once we appreciate this, then hopefully we come to see that the wise way to approach life is to try to do only those things that we wish to remember. If we have already accumulated memories that give rise to regret, see regret and remorse as part of the healing. Such suffering is a message, and it is inviting us to look at it, to receive it, so it can teach us to be more careful in the future.