Do not fear the arising of negative thoughts.

Fear detecting them too late:

after the word is spoken, the deed committed.

For by then the harm is done.

At some point in our practice, we will reach the level where we, like bodhisattvas, fear causes, not results. But until we reach that level, we work at a lower one where we strive to detect the thought and prevent the action.

An almost instantaneous interaction.

Our thoughts arise with amazing speed and subtlety, and in staggering numbers. The vast majority of them are not even detectable as thoughts by us for they are incredibly slight vibrations. But even the subtlest vibration is a cause that will have a result.

The calmer our mind, the deeper we can go in detecting our thoughts. This is where our cultivation comes in because the sooner we detect our arising thoughts, the better our chances of stopping ourselves from automatically acting upon them, and doing harm.  

According with conditions does not mean

mindless agreement to whatever people suggest.

It means to accord with conditions

that are proper.

We often hear about according with conditions. This phrase, however, does not mean that we automatically agree with whatever others say or wish to do. 

According with conditions carries the understood inclusion of proper.

We accord with proper conditions, but do not accord with conditions that are improper. Thus before we agree to something, we need to think! We need to distinguish whether what is about to be said or done accords with the principles in the Dharma.

With calm minds and clear understanding, we will be equipped to discern whether the activity is in conflict with the teachings. If it does indeed conflict with them, then we will have the confidence to know we are correct in deciding not to go along with what is proposed.

Just as it takes time for the scent of a wine bottle

to fade away,

it takes time for the scent of our habits

to be extinguished.

For some time after we wash and dry a wine bottle the scent will remain. The habit of scent remains although the wine is gone. It will take more time for the scent to dissipate completely.

It is the same with our habits, too many of which unfortunately are not good. Even after we stop acting on a habit, for example getting angry or being greedy, their “scent,” their habit energy, remains. This is why it is so hard to break our habits.

The wine bottle only held wine for a few years and yet it takes considerable time for the scent to completely dissipate. Compare this to our habits, which have existed since time without beginning.

Like the wine bottle, we carry the scent of habits within us. It will take a long time of not acting on the habits for the scent to finally be gone. A long time for our anger and greed to be completely extinguished.

But as Yoda would say, “happen, it will.”

No attachments does not mean we are detached.

It does not mean we neither care nor try.

Not having attachments is to free ourselves of self,

of expectations and lingering thoughts.

In everything we do, we need to do the best we can. But while we are not attached to what we do, we do not move to the extreme of detachment, of not caring, which is what people may initially think non-attachment means.

In non-attachment, we do care and we do try. But we are not caught up in thoughts of “I am doing.”

When we are not attached, we can leave self out of what we are doing. When our sense of self is not involved, when we are thinking “how best to do this” rather than “this is how I want to do it,” we can let go of expectations of a certain  outcome. And when we do not have expectations, we will not be disappointed or upset when the expected outcome does not occur.

Without disappointment or upset, our thoughts will not keep returning to and lingering on such negative thoughts.

Buddhadharma is like an immense mountain

with 84,000 paths leading to the peak:

enlightenment.

Choose and stick to just one path.

To reach the summit of a mountain in the most efficient manner, climbers choose one route. Depending on their abilities, some might take a safer path, others a more difficult one. Once the path is chosen, they stick to it. They do not keep trying different paths or they would end up going around the mountain instead of up it, thereby wasting time and energy.

Our practice is the same.

With the summit as our goal, we choose the path that fits our abilities and conditions. Like the climbers, we too need to stick to our chosen path. Taking our eyes off our goal, we can become enthralled by the path next to us. “It looks easier!” “It looks more challenging!” “I’ll try it!”

Becoming enamored of trying different paths, we will end up circling the mountain as we begin to lose sight of our goal of attaining the summit.