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 restlessness. (MN 141)
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One of the key strategies of Buddhist practice is to abandon unhealthy states that have arisen in the mind. This word abandon
is used in a particular way—as an alternative to either accepting or
rejecting the experience. If you act out an unhealthy state of mind, you
are only strengthening it, and if you repress it, you are only
postponing its impact. The middle way is to be aware of the unhealthy
state of mind, understand it is harmful, and gently release your hold on
it.
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Restlessness
comes up a lot, particularly in a busy daily life. It wants something
different from what is happening in order to either get something
desired or escape something undesired. It is important to recognize the
unhelpfulness of this mental state. Restlessness is not bad or wrong,
but it does hinder the mind’s ability to act skillfully. Develop the
ability to recognize when you feel restless and then shake off its hold
on you. Instead, just be with what is.
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Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Feeling and Abiding in the Second Jhāna
One week from today: Developing Unarisen Healthy States
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