RIGHT EFFORT
Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States
Whatever a person frequently
thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their
mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders unhealthy states, one
has abandoned healthy states to cultivate unhealthy states, and then
one’s mind inclines to unhealthy states. (MN 19)
Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts
the mind, and strives to abandon arisen unhealthy mental states. One
abandons the arisen hindrance of sluggishness. (MN 141)
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Unhealthy or
unhelpful states come up all the time. The early teaching was not simply
to be aware of everything but also to discern what is unhealthy and
learn how to abandon it. Alertness is a more helpful mental state than
sluggishness, and it is therefore beneficial to remain alert as much as
possible. Rest and sleep when appropriate, but when you are awake
practice being really alert and fully conscious.
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There is
nothing morally wrong with sluggishness of mind. The problem is just
that it prevents the mind from working well and is therefore a hindrance
to seeing clearly. When you feel drowsy or sleepy, or you feel your
mind getting dull, explore how many ways you can dispel this temporary
state and restore a sense of alertness. It is a matter of raising the
level of energy in the body and/or the mind.
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Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Feeling and the Second Jhāna
One week from today: Developing Unarisen Healthy States
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