RIGHT EFFORT
Maintaining Arisen 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 healthy states, 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 maintain arisen healthy mental states. One
maintains the arisen joy-awakening factor. (MN 141)
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Last week we
looked at abandoning unhealthy states that have arisen in the mind, and
this week we are doing the opposite: practicing to maintain the good
states of mind that have come up. If we are feeling generous or kind, or
are being truthful, that is a good thing and should be supported. The
word translated here as “maintain” also has the sense of guarding or
protecting healthy emotions and healthy thoughts.
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All kinds of
positive states arise and pass away naturally in the mind. The practice
here is to notice that and to support, reinforce, and sustain positive
states. If you say something nice to someone, say it again or say it to
another person. If you give something to someone in an act of
generosity, acknowledge that giving to others is good for you and look
for opportunities to give again and again in different ways.
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Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Mental Objects and Abiding in the Fourth Jhāna
One week from today: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States
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