Keep the Middle Way Beyond Fierceness and Weakness
The scriptures teach us not to become arrogant through reckless bravado, not to become cowardly through weakness, and to abandon both fierceness and weakness so that we may wisely keep the Middle Way. This is a very important standard for practice in daily life.
Fierceness is not true courage. Raising one's voice and pressing others down because anger and pride are not under control is not wise strength. What a practitioner must first govern is not other people, but the desire and anger in one's own mind.
On the other hand, weakness is not the right path either. If we cannot say what needs to be said, and only hide when a just position is called for, that too is hard to call the attitude of a practitioner. Gentleness is not cowardice, and courage is not violence.
The Middle Way is not a powerless avoidance of both sides. It is the wisdom to speak clearly when needed, while not being dragged by emotion into fierce pressure. It is the balance of doing what must be done while governing the mind.
Today, may we not lean toward either fierceness or weakness, but live the day with wise courage and a gentle center.
Fierceness is not courage, and weakness is not practice. Say what needs to be said, but do not push with anger; be gentle, but not cowardly. Today, please keep the Middle Way wisely.
