THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH (Part 2) “Wherever the Noble Eightfold Path is practiced, joy, peace, and insight are there.” (Mahaparinibbana Sutta) 2) Right Thought Right Thought is about the way you think. Too much of your thinking is pointless cyclic chatter. You endlessly review you past mistakes and the “would haves” and “should haves;” only to turn around and endlessly start worrying about future plans and what you’re going to say; only to again return to the past. Right Thought is about letting-go of this cyclic thinking and being more present in the current moment. First, you start paying more attention to your mind chatter. Then, once you notice your cyclic thoughts, you can let go of them. This is done by when you notice yourself in this cycle, smile, note it, let-go and return to the present moment – focus on what you are really doing right then. No harsh critical words; just a big inner smile. Now among your thoughts are wholesome thoughts, neutral thoughts and unwholesome thoughts. Right Thought is about promoting or encouraging more wholesome thoughts and letting-go or releasing unwholesome thoughts. Once you notice your unwholesome thoughts you can let them fade away. All your thoughts arise from causes and conditions and it is up to you as to which thoughts you encourage and those you drop. When you notice unwholesome thoughts about an attractive lady arise, smile, note it, let go and encourage thoughts of her smiling face or thoughts of what you’re really doing right then. When you notice thoughts of dislike for someone arise, smile, note it, let go and encourage compassionate or understand thoughts for that person. When you notice depressed thoughts arise, smile, remind yourself that you chose your states of mind, let go, and look for the real sunshine that is around you. Right Thought is about encouraging wholesome thoughts which build more mental conditions for them. Just as a jogger can run further as he practices his jogging, so you can build more wholesome conditions of generosity, loving-kindness and understanding by practicing more wholesome states of mind. As you walk the path of life instead of walking with critical and unhappy thoughts, walk with thoughts beaming love and kindness to all those around you. From Right Understand and Right Thought precedes Right Speech and all the remaining factors of the Noble Eightfold Path. Upasaka Tuccho Pothila
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 15:11:30 +0000
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