Right Diligence in Western Society-Noble Eightfold Path 5

Hello to all,

To begin NEP 5 I copied the beginning of Right View in Western Society-Noble Eightfold Path 1. That, and Right Thinking, Right Action, and Right Speech has brought us to Right Diligence.

The Buddha offered the Eightfold Path in his first Dharma talk, continued to teach it for forty-five years. Near the time of his death he gave a final Dharma teaching and presented the Noble Eightfold Path - Right View, Right Thinking, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Diligence, Right Mindlfulness, and Right Concentration. He taught that the Path should be used intelligently in your daily life. The Buddha also said that all the Eight Elements are interconnected, one having a direct effect on all others.

This will be the first of eight articles where I will touch on each one. I will look at it from my own Western perspective. Look at from your own and make a comment.  

The source book I will use is, "The Heart of Buddha's Teaching" by Thich Nhat Hahn. In my library of books on Eastern religions and philosophy it is the book I go back to most often. Nhat Hahn is a Vietnamese Buddhist, monk, poet and peacemaker who Dr. King, Jr. nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. His prose is beautiful, relevant and easily absorbed into the curious mind.

As for me, I am no expert, have no degree, and live the same Western life most of you lead. My intent is to initiate discussion and learn from the viewpoints of others."

RIGHT DILIGENCE - There is an energy that we derive from the practice, a nourishing joy that helps keep us on the Path. It is not practicing hard that is Right Diligence. It is practicing with a smile, looking forward to meditation and sitting because we want to, not because it is expected.

Writing these eight articles about The Noble Eightfold Path is teaching me about Right Diligence. The articles have been well received by a few, but interest seemed to die on Right Speech. Did I want recognition for my efforts? Yes, I thought I did until today. Was I "suffering" for want of recognition? In my mind, yes, but it wasn't real. Today I realized I was doing these articles to further my own practice. To better understand my own mind. To find joy and positive nourishment in the effort, not the result.

Thich Nhat Hahn - "Right Diligence lies in the Middle Way, between the extremes of austerity and senual indulgence."

The Buddha - "Let each man first direct himself to what is proper, then let him teach others; thus a wise man will not suffer."

Four Practices of Right Diligence (Fourfold Right Diligence):

1. Prevent unwholesome(= things negative to walking the Middle Way) seeds from sprouting - Ungerminated seeds of greed, violence, suffering and unhappiness are stored in our conscious mind. Use your Right Diligence to deny them fertile soil to spring from.
2. Snip off unwholesome seeds that have sprouted - The seeds of greed, violence, suffering and unhappiness that have grown can be returned to our stored consciouness.
3. Nourish the seeds of wholesomeness that haven't sprouted - Fertilize the seeds of joy, compassion and love with positive input.
4. Nourish the seeds of wholesomeness already grown - Strengthen the things joyous, compassionate and loving already strong in you.

To me this all means, enjoy my practice. Wake up with a smile each day. Look forward to the flowers instead of the weeds.

Right Diligence isn't easy. Some days it is hard to find joy and interest in meditation. Forcing myself to sit doesn't work, it can bring on resentment and plant unwholesome seeds, or cause them to sprout in my mind.  

Then there are the days when mindful living brings pleasure. I breath in and out, I find peace and joy in each moment and I know that is Right Diligence. There is a light smile on my face when meditating and each muscle is relaxed, letting my mind follow to silence. That is Right Diligence.

Here on Gather we could help each other practice Right Diligence. Like a Sangha, we could nourish the wholesome seeds in each other.

I bow to the Buddha nature in everyone.