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 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 develop the arising of unarisen healthy mental
states. One develops the unarisen equanimity awakening factor. (MN 141)
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If you just “go
with the flow” of your own mind and let whatever happens happen, often
you will drift in the direction of unhealthy or unskillful states. You
may have noticed this from time to time. This is why effort is important
and right effort is a friend rather than an adversary. When we
consciously develop helpful qualities of mind, such as mindfulness and
equanimity, we are better off in the long run.
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Equanimity is
the last of the seven factors of awakening and completes the preceding
series of mindfulness, investigation of states, energy, joy,
tranquility, and concentration. Equanimity is the culmination of
skillful states of mind because it neutralizes craving, occupying the
midpoint between its two forms, greed and hatred. Equanimity is in the
middle where one gazes upon what is happening without entanglement.
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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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