The practice of adjusting one's actions based on the unique circumstances of each situation. It emphasizes a flexible, adaptable approach to life, offering a lens to view actions not in binary terms of 'right' or 'wrong' but as 'skillful' or 'unskillful'. This perspective cultivates a more nuanced understanding of our actions and their consequences, fostering compassion and mindfulness.
In our quest for inner peace, the teaching of skillful means encourages us to recognize and utilize practices that work best for us. Our path to inner peace is as unique as we are, requiring tailored solutions that resonate with our individual needs and experiences.
To illustrate this, let's consider the journey through the WISE framework, recognizing the role skillful means plays at each step:
- Watch: The first step of this journey starts with observing our experiences non-judgmentally. Here, skillful means might manifest as the ability to distance ourselves from automatic reactions, allowing space to merely observe.
- Interpret: Next, we aim to comprehend our experiences, which are shaped by our thoughts and beliefs. To interpret them skillfully, it is important to have an open and flexible mindset that avoids rigid categorizations. Instead, we should focus on understanding whether actions are skillful or not.
- Select: We make our choice of response at this stage, guided by wisdom and understanding. Skillful selection involves choosing actions that align with our values and foster well-being.
- Experiment: The final step involves carrying out our chosen responses, and here, skillful experimentation equates to actions promoting inner peace.
Beyond Good and Bad
Let's apply this understanding of skillful means to a real-world scenario. Consider a young mother who works tirelessly to provide for her family, often neglecting her own needs and well-being. From one perspective, she might be seen as 'good' because of her selfless dedication. However, if we look through the lens of skillful means, we might see that her approach is not entirely skillful. While her intentions are commendable, the neglect of her own well-being could lead to burnout and illness, which ultimately wouldn't benefit her or her family. A more skillful approach might involve finding a balance between providing for her family and taking care of herself. This could involve setting aside time each day for self-care activities, like reading, meditating, or taking a walk in nature. Or it might involve seeking help from others, like asking a family member to watch the kids for a couple of hours so that she can take a rest.
The shift from judging actions as 'good' or 'bad' to 'skillful' or 'unskillful' promotes compassion, understanding, and flexibility, helping us navigate life's complexities with grace and wisdom. The notion of skillful means liberates us from rigid dogmas, opening a myriad of possibilities tailored to our unique needs.
Two Paths: Skillful Navigation Through Mountain and Beach
Envision a path diverging into two, one meandering upwards towards the mountain, the other winding downwards towards the beach. At the fork, two figures stand poised, each ready to embark on their respective journey — one, a hiker, and the other, a surfer.
The hiker, wearing rugged boots, is prepped for the mountainous climb ahead. A light backpack contains their essentials: water, snacks, a map, a compass, and a first-aid kit. Having trained rigorously, their body is primed to tackle the steep ascents and navigate the rocky terrain that lies ahead.
In contrast, the surfer stands barefoot, surfboard underarm, bag filled with beach requisites: sunscreen, a towel, a swimsuit, and a lunch.
The rugged mountain path, with its steep inclines and rocky terrain, perfectly aligns with the hiker's preparation and skillset. The hiker, being well-equipped, can skillfully navigate the path, enjoying the mountain's views and the thrill of the climb.
For the surfer, this mountainous path would be a mismatch, far from their comfort zone. The surfer is prepared for the sandy beach, not for maneuvering through rocky slopes and challenging terrains.
Neither path is inherently superior or inferior, neither right nor wrong. Each simply exists, offering its own set of unique challenges and rewards. The hiker's inclination towards the mountain path and the surfer's towards the beach path reflect their individual skillful means - their preparation, skills, and equipment optimally suited to their chosen path.
This metaphor underscores the concept of skillful means, emphasizing understanding our unique strengths, interests, and abilities and how they align with the path we've chosen. Watching these conditions, interpreting our suitability, selecting the right course of action, and executing our choice — these steps from the WISE framework guide us towards more skillful living.
The idea isn't about labeling a path as appropriate or inappropriate. Instead, it's about using skillful means to assess if we're well-equipped for the chosen path or if there exists another path better suited to our unique abilities and interests. It's about maintaining an open, flexible mindset, embracing the exploration of the path, ourselves, and potential changes.
If we find ourselves on a path that doesn't complement our current skills and preparation, we have options. We can choose to adapt, learn, grow, and reshape ourselves to better fit this path. Or, we might decide to explore a different path, one that aligns more harmoniously with who we are and what we bring to the table.
The journey of life, akin to the hiker's mountainous path or the surfer's ocean waves (or countless other paths), invites us to engage with skillful means. It asks us to understand ourselves, prepare suitably, and approach each moment with openness, curiosity, and the wisdom to discern whether we are being skillful or unskillful.
As we navigate life's journey, we must employ skillful means to recognize if we're well-equipped for the current path or if a change of path might serve us better. It's about being adaptable, exploring ourselves and the path we tread, and discerning skillful actions from unskillful ones.