(Mind is the forerunner of all states)

Study this.
Study the causes and conditions,
the subtlety,
the complexity.

What rises into consciousness
is fractional—
a rounding error
against everything moving beneath it.

Study what presents itself.
Not to condemn it.
Not to become it.
Look behind the thought.

Behind the image.
Behind the wanting.
Notice the almost imperceptible movement—
toward or away.

Know the nature of this.
Know the animal within us.
Do not try to change it.
Learn how it moves.

Your intentions will be found
at the threshold, behind the thoughts,
in that quiet movement
before you know you are moving.

And when you discover
how little of this you authored,
how much was already underway
before you arrived—

And seeing this in ourselves,
how can we stand above another
carried by currents
they have yet to see?

Compassion for the unaware.
Compassion for ourselves.
The only honest response.