My dear friends,

In Atisha’s “The Best” we find the following precept:

Here, Atisha is pointing to a state of mind that acts directly and spontaneously from a place of pure, unclouded awareness and compassion. In such a state, the mind is not entangled in doubt, hesitation, or internal conflict. This clarity arises because the mind is free from the influence of the Three Poisons—ignorance, attachment, and aversion—which are the primary forces that distort our perceptions, intentions, and actions.

When the mind is well-trained, it becomes like a clear, still pool of water. Actions are reflections of this clarity, flowing naturally from wisdom and love. In the Christian tradition, we might liken this to acting from the "mind of Christ," where one’s words and deeds emerge not from self-centered deliberation but from the deep wellspring of Bodhicitta—the loving, compassionate mind dedicated to the welfare of all beings.

In this state, there is no need for "second guesses," which often arise from fear, attachment, or confusion. Such doubts are themselves expressions of a mind still caught in the snares of ego-clinging and dualistic thinking. But when the mind is freed from such contamination, it can perceive situations clearly and respond appropriately, almost effortlessly, because the habitual tendencies have been transformed. This is the fruit of long practice, where one has purified the mindstream through ethical discipline, meditation, and wisdom.

Thus, when a situation arises, the mind does not need to pause and calculate in a self-referential way, "Is this the right thing? What will I get out of it?" or "Will this cause me trouble?" Instead, it simply knows, through direct perception, what is skillful, loving, and wise. This is not the absence of discernment but rather a form of discernment that is quick, intuitive, and unburdened by the obstructions of self-concern.

So, to live in this way is to embody skillful means at its highest, moving through life with grace, kindness, and a wisdom that sees clearly and acts freely.