Good.

Through what exactly does the realization happen? Can you think of an example out of real life?

Yes. Once while working I learned information that could get other people in trouble. I was asked about it and said I didn't know. Although even then I knew it wasn't the best thing to do, in fact I didn't know what to do. It was like a dilemma.

I don't know what I would do today if I were in the same situation but hopefully something better.

I realized it myself. How did the realization happen? Well, I don't know if the example is the best because part of me knew then I should have done better, yet I didn't do so at the time. Then reflecting on it, as introspection, I knew I should have done better.

I can think of other examples as well. I think it's like trial and error, we see the mistakes we make and do our best not to do it again.

So, there are other people involved as the deliverers of such consequences, correct?

Not necessarily. Someone who is addicted to drinking, to give an example, may realize how this impacts their life in general and realize they need a change. We can make a lot of bad decisions and then realize when we are not where we wanted to be in life.

What then is the exact experience? Is it a pleasant one?

I don't think I understood the question. Silly example here. The other day I had to go somewhere I hadn't been before. I got the advice to go by bus, but I had seen the directions and preferred to walk. The walk was long, much longer than I expected, I lost a lot of time and if it wasn't for the appointment being rescheduled, I would have been late. The next time I went I took the bus.

Of what kind exactly must an experience be, in order to reach the individual on that self-realizing level?

I wouldn't know exactly. If we have someone who serves as a role model and influences us with their presence, it may happen faster. Otherwise it can vary depending on how aware we are, and in the most extreme case, for some when they hit rock bottom.

Think of, for example, of Buddhist monks. They honor every living creature. They safe a worm from a pathway not to be trampled to death. Now, is this something one shall take literally as a guidance for every day life, or is it an exaggeration in order to think about it?

I think for them it is a rule that they try to follow on a daily basis, and for a secular person it is simply a role model, which serves as an ideal, even if not rigorously followed.

Now, one can also be an interventionist, but it is always going to depend on the person in question, and one will not always be present. There has to be a willingness to do the right thing on the part of that person. The consequences of our actions are not always artificial and man-made, but are the natural result of our actions.

There is also a difference between the actions we do that fundamentally only generate consequences for us, as in the example in the story, and those that generate consequences for other people as well, in which case, the way of acting would not be the same.

I don't question the objection.

Although I think it is possible that one learns more from example than from words. If I tell a young person to always tell the truth, but then I go and lie, what will he learn? That he has to tell others to tell the truth, but he himself can lie from time to time. The best way to teach someone discipline is, in my opinion, to be self-disciplined oneself.

I'm not saying it's the only way. That can vary and as I said, I think it depends on each specific case. I'm not necessarily advocating non-intervention, that's not what I'm saying, what I'm saying is, if we focus on being, we will spontaneously do what's right and intervene or not intervene when it's convenient. I think that by example we convey a powerful message, but it is not simply about "not doing".