The best way to act if you know you’ve done unskillful things in the past

Question 13. What’s the best way to act if you know you’ve done unskillful things in the past?

Thanissaro Bhikkhu: First off, remember that each moment that you’re still alive gives you the opportunity to change your ways and engage in skillful actions. And remember, too, that actions tend to give certain results, and that these tendencies can be strengthened or weakened by other actions. This means that if you’ve been acting unskillfully but then, seeing the error of your ways, begin to act more skillfully, your newer actions will weaken the results of your older, unskillful actions. In fact, the Buddha points out that simply affirming the intention to act skillfully is already a positive first step.

So if you’ve done something unskillful, recognize that the action was unskillful and wrong, but that feelings of remorse and guilt won’t undo what you’ve already done — in fact, too much remorse or guilt can actually sap your confidence that you can change your ways. Then resolve never to repeat that action again. To strengthen your resolve, both for your own good and for the good of others, spread thoughts of goodwill [mettā] and compassion to yourself and to all beings [SN 42:8]. If you can maintain an attitude of goodwill to all — wishing for everyone to act in ways that will lead them to true happiness, and being happy to help everyone in that direction — you’ll be less likely to do them, or yourself, any further harm.

~ Karma Q & A - A Study Guide

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