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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 11

Association with the wise becomes from acquaintances who do not When we raise the question how
so crucial to spiritual development share our ideals. In this early phase to recognize good friends, how to
because the example and advice of our mind resembles a chameleon, distinguish good advisors from
a noble-minded counselor is often which alters its color according bad advisors, the Buddha offers us
the decisive factor that awakens to its background. Just as this crystal-clear advice. In the Shorter
and nurtures the unfolding of our remarkable lizard turns green when Discourse on a Full-Moon Night
own untapped spiritual potential. in the grass and brown when on (MN 110) he explains the difference
The uncultivated mind harbors the ground, so we become fools between the companionship of the
a vast diversity of unrealized when we associate with fools and bad person and the companionship
possibilities, ranging from the sages when we associate with of the good person. The bad person
depths of selfishness, egotism sages. Internal changes do not chooses as friends and companions
and aggressivity to the heights generally occur suddenly; but those who are without faith, whose
of wisdom, self-sacrifice and slowly, by increments so slight that conduct is marked by an absence of
compassion. The task confronting we ourselves may not be aware of shame and moral dread, who have
us, as followers of the Dhamma, is to them, our characters undergo a no knowledge of spiritual teachings,
keep the unwholesome tendencies metamorphosis that in the end may who are lazy and unmindful, and
in check and to foster the growth prove to be dramatically significant. who are devoid of wisdom. As a
of the wholesome tendencies, the consequence of choosing such bad
qualities that lead to awakening, to If we associate closely with those friends as his advisors, the bad
freedom and purification. who are addicted to the pursuit of person plans and acts for his own
sense pleasures, power, riches and harm, for the harm of others, and
However, our internal tendencies fame, we should not imagine that the harm of both, and he meets with
do not mature and decline in a we will remain immune from those sorrow and misery.
vacuum. They are subject to the addictions: in time our own minds
constant impact of the broader will gradually incline to these same In contrast, the Buddha continues,
environment, and among the most ends. If we associate closely with the good person chooses as friends
powerful of these influences is the those who, while not given up to and companions those who have
company we keep, the people we moral recklessness, live their lives faith, who exhibit a sense of shame
look upon as teachers, advisors comfortably adjusted to mundane and moral dread, who are learned
and friends. Such people silently routines, we too will remain stuck in the Dhamma, energetic in
speak to the hidden potentials in the ruts of the commonplace. cultivation of the mind, mindful,
of our own being, potentials that If we aspire for the highest -- for and possessed of wisdom. Resorting
will either unfold or wither under the peaks of transcendent wisdom to such good friends, looking to
their influence. In our pursuit of and liberation -- then we must them as mentors and guides, the
the Dhamma it therefore becomes enter into association with those good person pursues these same
essential for us to choose as our who represent the highest. Even if qualities as his own ideals and
guides and companions those who we are not so fortunate as to find absorbs them into his character.
represent, at least in part, the noble companions who have already Thus, while drawing ever closer to
qualities we seek to internalize by scaled the heights, we can well deliverance himself, he becomes in
the practice of the Dhamma. This count ourselves blessed if we cross turn a beacon light for others. Such
is especially necessary in the early paths with a few spiritual friends a one is able to offer those who still
stages of our spiritual development, who share our ideals and who make wander in the dark an inspiring
when our virtuous aspirations are earnest efforts to nurture the noble model to emulate, and a wise friend
still fresh and tender, vulnerable qualities of the Dhamma in their to turn to for guidance and advice.
to being undermined by inward hearts. EH
irresolution or by discouragement