Anxiety, Anger. Curiosity, Contemplation.

Part IV

Even if it were the nature of the childish
To cause harm to other beings,
It would still be incorrect to be angry with them.
For this would be like begrudging fire for having the nature to burn.

And even if the fault were temporary
In they who are by nature reliable,
It would still be incorrect to be angry.
For this would be like begrudging space for allowing smoke to arise in it.

— Acharya Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva

Fellow philosophers,

This week we’ve been doing the tough, philosophical work of examination.

We’ve been examining the above text and a modern teaching based on its ancient wisdom yes, but we’ve also been examining ourselves—a difficult work which requires a lot of self-compassion, bravery, and intentionality.

For what it’s worth, I’m proud of us for sticking with it and choosing to look these topics in the eye.

For our last day in this series as we consider contemplation, I want to provide us with a few minutes to enter into a contemplative space and compassionatel…