Lojong Practice Journal: Don’t act with a twist

The 59 slogans through a social justice lens

“Don’t act with a twist” is calling us to pause and reflect on what expectations we may have about the outcomes of our actions. The simplest example I can think of would be how we show generosity. Generosity is one of the paramitas, often listed as the first due to how it leads us to cultivate the others. As a paramita, generosity is about opening our hearts and learning to stretch the edge of our comfort zone. The practice of generosity isn’t a practice of giving; it’s a practice of letting go.

When we give — time, energy, gifts, money — as part of a deeper practice, the giving itself is our motivation. But when we give with the expectation of gratitude or a particular response from the recipient, the “giving” now has a twist to it.

This transactional approach to anything we do creates barriers between us and others. It means no one can ever truly be sure of our motivations. Did we offer to pick something up for a friend just because we could, or will we hold onto it as proof of something owed to be called on later? Did we make a donation to a cause because we believe in it, or did we want a thank you letter as proof of our generosity? Did we post in solidarity with a group fighting for justice and equity because we believe in those…