RIGHT EFFORT
Developing Unarisen Healthy States
Whatever a person frequently
thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their
mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders healthy states, one has
abandoned unhealthy states to cultivate the healthy state, and then
one’s mind inclines to healthy states. (MN 19)
Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts
the mind, and strives to develop the arising of unarisen healthy mental
states. One develops the unarisen energy awakening factor. (MN 141)
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The mental and
emotional states that are healthy, leading away from suffering and
toward greater clarity of understanding, do not always arise on their
own and sometimes need a little help. In the sequence of awakening
factors, investigation of states naturally gives rise to energy, because
everything becomes so interesting, but the development of energy can
also be instigated and encouraged as a deliberate practice.
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Interesting how
it is put in the text: that we need to stir up energy to develop
energy. What this is pointing to is that sometimes we just have to reach
down and decide that we will bring more energy to bear on a given
situation. Perhaps it is blinking the eyes to overcome drowsiness or
gritting the teeth boost our willpower to avoid a temptation. Energy is a
factor that can be weak or strong. Here we practice strengthening it.
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Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Mind and the Third Jhāna
One week from today: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States
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