พระอาจารย์อธิบายว่าบุญและบาปสามารถลัดคิวส่งผลได้ ด้วยการจดจ่อและความเพียร เพราะบุญใหม่จะเหนี่ยวนำบุญเก่าเข้ามา แต่ผลจะเกิดขึ้นได้ก็ต่อเมื่อประกอบเหตุจนเต็มส่วนเท่านั้นPra Ajarn explains that merit and demerit can indeed jump the queue in bearing fruit, through focused attention and effort, since new merit draws old merit in — but the result can only occur once the cause has been completed 'in full measure.'
Someone asked: the fruiting of and demerit follows a timeline — but is it possible for them to jump the queue in bearing fruit?
Jumping the Queue Through Focused Attention
Jumping the queue is possible, but it requires focused attention; without focus it can't be done. In truth, merit and demerit are laid out on the timeline of life from birth, but creating causes in the present makes new merit draw old merit in along with it. So if we focus in each moment — whatever result we want, we focus on that — because the mind is a wish-fulfilling element; it dwells wherever we place our focus. Create the cause, then focus on the result you wish to arise.
It Requires Effort
Everything requires effort. When focus is joined with effort, anything can jump the queue; but without effort it cannot be done. The Buddha said that a person overcomes suffering through effort. Just keep up the effort, and what we thought would be slow, or wondered whether it would ever come, can indeed come about.
The Result Can Only Occur When the Measure Is Full
But the result can only occur once the cause has been completed in full measure. If it isn't full, it cannot occur — like having money to buy something priced at a hundred baht but holding only ninety-eight or ninety-nine; not yet full, so you can't buy it. If we let it go, not caring to complete the cause quickly, we simply have to wait. Whenever we create the cause to its full measure, it becomes full, and then it can bear fruit.