RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Bodily Action
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However the seed is
planted, in that way the fruit is gathered. Good things come from doing
good deeds, bad things come from doing bad deeds. (SN 11.10) What is the
purpose of a mirror? For the purpose of reflection. So too bodily
action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61)
When you wish to do an action with the body, reflect upon that same
bodily action thus: “Would this action I wish to do with the body lead
to both my own affliction and the affliction of another?” If, upon
reflection, you know that it would, then do not do it; if you know that
it would not, then proceed. (MN 61)
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Not only is it
wise to think before you speak, it is also important to think before you
act. Another way of putting this is to act consciously instead of
automatically, from habit. Conscious action is mindful action, and there
is no activity that can't be done mindfully rather than mindlessly.
Every action is accompanied by an intention, and this practice trains us
to pay attention to this aspect of experience.
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Try going
through your day as if you are holding a mirror up to yourself in your
mind and you are able to see what you're thinking and reflect what
you're about to do. Take that extra moment to be aware of yourself,
aware of your actions, and aware of their impact on the world around
you. This practice involves bringing mindful awareness to intention—to
the impulse to act—in the moment before you follow through into action.
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Tomorrow: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings
One week from today: Reflecting upon Verbal Action
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