Good and Evil

By Victor M Fontane

Everyone should understand that constant judgment of good and evil only leads to further division and conflict.  One might fantasize about being a good person, but excessive arguing and judging can ironically transform them into the very villain they imagine themselves combating.  This is because karma lacks inherent nature (svabhava).

This represents a paradox, a "rule" within the seeming lawlessness of the universe. Consider how we retrospectively label figures from the past as saints. Our perception of time differs drastically from the true nature of time in the cosmos, leading to cognitive errors. We make mistakes, learn from them, and yet continue to err. These cognitive biases distort our understanding of the world and influence our actions, often detrimentally. We might cling to the past, regretting past mistakes, or worry about the future, fearing unknown risks.  These attachments and anxieties stem from our flawed understanding of time.

The present moment is fleeting and unattainable, yet the power of the mind lies not in creating material things, but in transforming hellish thoughts into the fullness and abundance of heaven. Simply put, by looking back at history, we can recognize the impermanence of every future moment.  This is the simplest form of contemplation.