Buddhists, what do you think of this explanation of the 8 fold path?
I have always found explanations of the 8 fold path to be a bit hazy to me, so last night I tried to think through what each step meant for me. Here is my explanation for the the 8 fold path.
What is your feedback? Do you think my interpretations are helpful? Do you think I am off on any points? Anything you would add or any image that clarifies one of the steps for you? I am not a scholar, so I have no linguistic or translation knowledge. This is just what makes the most sense to me. Feedback appreciated.
The Noble Eight Fold Path
Right is not the opposite of “evil” or “bad.” It basically means skillful, or “it works.” The steps on the path are not all sequential, rather they are all aspects our living experience, like strands in a rope.
1)Right view – The path must begin with the realization that something is wrong; we are suffering, we don’t know who we are or why we are here, and we will die. The right view is basically the intellectual assent to the 4 Noble Truths.
2)Right intention – This is a vital and sometimes tricky step. After we have realized we are suffering, and see that we can cease to suffer, our right intention is to end our suffering. This is the reason we undertake the path. “Come to me when you desire wisdom like a man whose hair is on fire desires water.” We become properly motivated when we realize the nature of our predicament – we are suffering – our hair is on fire! If we don’t keep this focus in mind, our motivations will not be effective. If we wish to achieve enlightenment for ego gratification, to feel superior, to be admired, or to be like a god, for example, that is not right intention.
3)Right speech – Right speech is characterized by honesty, kindness and pragmatism. We should remember that our inner monologue is also part of our speech. We should speak to ourselves honestly, kindly, and usefully. We should speak integrally from the core of ourselves.
4)Right action – We should refrain from causing pain as much as possible. We should act kindly and mercifully, trying to spread good will rather than dissent. We should be patient and not hasty or anxious, yet when it is time to act, we should act decisively without mental friction. We should consider the five moral precepts. We should act integrally from the core of ourselves.
5)Right livelihood – Life is completely interconnected. We should avoid contributing to social evils as much as possible. We all live on the earth and must earn a living, but we should try to minimize the negative impact any of our actions have on the planet or any of its inhabitants. We should work integrally from the core of ourselves.
6)Right effort – Right effort means not too much effort and not too little effort. Like riding a bicycle, we need correct balance to keep moving forward. Which is better, breathing in or breathing out? Both are necessary. Discipline and daily practice are fundamental, but a sense of humor and lightness is just as important. Remember the point of all this is to ease our suffering in order to enable us to truly enjoy life, not to become disconnected, become holy rollers, or provide the ego with a new attachment – being Buddhist (for that reason I prefer the term “student of the Buddha’s teachings”).
7)Right mindfulness – This is the royal road, the jewel at the center of the eight fold path. It has been said that the worst thing that can be said about a man is that he did not pay attention. Meditation has a simple instruction: pay attention; become aware; look what is happening right now. “Let those who have eyes see.” See the present moment again and again and again. Once you see the harmful nature of some actions and thoughts they will begin to abate. This happens naturally – we do not have to force ourselves. The mind is a creature of habit. The more time we spend in the present seeing our experiences, the more negative patterns of all kinds will loose their grip on our lives. See.
8)Right contemplation – Right contemplation is integration and culmination of the other steps. Enlightenment happens in a moment. It is a flash of insight into the nature of things. Don’t worry about “the one permanent Enlightenment” – this is a trap of the ego. Worry about enlightenment with a lower case “e.” Do you remember what the point of setting out on this path was? To ease our suffering. Well, this is what happens in right contemplation. We see things as they are: interconnected, alive, whole, transcending concepts. Pettiness and inconsequential concerns drop away. In this realization our suffering eases. Enlightenment is a physical description. The weight of suffering – which is the weight of illusion – is lifted from us and we have a taste of freedom and joy – the joy of being as we are and experiencing things as they are without struggling to change them or despairing that they are not some other way.
Thanks for the response, Vernon, you’re the front runner for 10pts. right now!