‘To use skillful means – beneficial action – means to see and consider before we act. What has made this situation what it is? What are its origins? How can this tangle of causes and conditions be unraveled? If we look closely, we may see things we don’t want to see. We have to take into account that the most beneficial action might include aspects we don’t want to include. We might need to associate with people we’d rather avoid or do things that are difficult and dreary.
This entails letting go of what we want or what we think is useful and allow reality to tell us what to do rather than imposing our ideas on it. In his remarks on giving, Dōgen speaks of offering ourselves to ourselves and offering others to others. We help by helping others become and be who they are. We offer what they see as helpful and can be used to make their lives what they want them to be.’ (from Ancient Way Journal)
As with Zenju’s post, such work seems to be in short supply in some quarters.
