Blessedly, in this modern day fewer and fewer get severed limb from limb by bandits. We deal with more mundane severing, the the piecemeal flaying of taxes or the slow attrition of our car breaking down. But even if we were cornered and knew it was our last breaths, would we be able to accept our fate and hang on to love and gratitude in our hearts. After all, nobody can make us feel angry, and if we had the choice why would we die with anger?
So then, as one of the Buddha’s teachings (MN 21) elaborates, if it is possible to have goodwill even in such an extreme moment … then is it not just as possible to have goodwill in moments that are not so extreme?
