Expedient and literal meanings.
Expedient and literal meanings are working within the context of our own understanding, and that of others. For instance, we may say, “We have to be aware of the thoughts in our minds,” and in general, people will understand that: it’s expedient. But then we come to, “Who is this ‘we’ that is aware of the thoughts in our mind?” and that would be pure, empty essence: that is the literal meaning.
When listening to teachings we have to know the difference between expedient (appropriate) and literal meanings. The Dharma works on many levels at the same time, as it will be heard by people of different capacities. Traditionally, practitioners are grouped into superior, middling and inferior:
we work with what we have, and it’s surprising how high ‘inferior’ is, when compared to those who are not bothered at all! The higher we go, the more responsibility we take on.
Too often, people take phrases out of context and confuse themselves and others by repeating ‘cherry picked’ sound bytes. To an ordinary person, these sound clever, but to a practitioner they sound empty.
“Ah, we are all empty!” Exactly! Wrong context. All too often one hears ‘new agers’ quoting phrases from ancient teachings, revealing their misunderstanding: “If you see the Buddha, kill him.” “Fetch water, chop wood.” “Don’t put anyone above your head.” “There is no good and evil.” “I am listening to my higher self”. Forums are full of misquotes, which need to be understood properly, and in context.
There were 14 questions which the Buddha would not answer, because it would create confusion.
Let’s take, ‘Thoughts in the mind are a distraction’. For a beginner, to be aware of thoughts is important, so that there is a clear distinction between thoughts, and the awareness of thoughts. But later on, thoughts are seen as an expression of essence. One is expedient, and the other literal. But if we jump in too soon we will definitely come to the wrong conclusion about empty mind and empty essence.
Even when using the word ‘clarity’, we have to know whether we are talking about mind, awareness or essence: there is a super-subtle difference between awareness clarity and essence clarity.
Most of the time, people quote absolute truths in a relative context, and then get angry, because of pride, creating more anger and confusion. The true understanding of the relative and the absolute is the recognition that one is seen in the other.
As well as expedient and literal meanings, there nine levels or vehicles each using the same words but the perception of the meaning changes. Take the word ‘compassion’: on a lower level, it means loving kindness, and at the level of Ati yoga it is the unconfined expression of one’s true nature and that of everyone else.
The danger here is that one might say, “Well, that’s what I mean!” As soon as that is said, it is clear that an ego is still involved. This is not a criticism: it is just a degree of clarity, more or less. We have to be clear at what level we are working, so that there is no confusion. At every level, the teaching is correct – for that level. When we understand, we stand under a teaching, in humility.
When we see an emotion present in others, we have to adjust our speech. Being able to do that means we are aware of the play of the emotions, and so use expedient language instead of literal language to smooth the way.
It is all about being sensitive to whom we are speaking.
Expedient speech
is compassionate speech.
Literal speech
is compassionate speech
cutting through ego.
These are illustrations of enlightened activity:
Pacifying, magnetising, enriching and destroying ego activity.
