Conversation

Replying to and
Is that your actual experience with meditation? My experience is that more motivation naturally (and even spontaneously) leads to more action. More action leads to more skill, and the desire to learn whatever is necessary to be kind (or compassionate or generous, etc.)
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Replying to and
Of course. But without the state of mind powering it I’d argue that it’s generalized skill training, not training in kindness. The state of wishing others well is necessary, but not sufficient, for gaining skill in kindness. This state of well wishing IS what makes it kindness.
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Replying to and
Example: It takes skill to make subtle conceptual distinctions, such as we’re doing here. I’ve noticed in your writing that you’re very good at this skill. But if I try and do that so that I can be right, then that skill is in service of righteousness not kindness.
Replying to and
What follows for me, is that it’s extremely important to have a solid baseline of wishing others well, so that the specified skills we develop (and we do need to develop them, I agree) aren’t weaponized against others.