RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Mental Action
|
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 mental
action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61)
When you wish to do an action with the mind, reflect upon that same
mental action thus: “Would this action I wish to do with the mind 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)
|
|
|
|
It may seem odd
to us that we could be aware of our intention to think thoughts before
actually doing so. Thinking before you speak is one thing, but thinking
before you think? And yet in the Buddhist model of mind and body,
actions of the mind are not so different from actions of body and
speech. We can learn to be aware of them before, during, and after
undertaking all forms of action.
|
|
|
Identify some
of your thought patterns that are familiar to you: the stories you tell
yourself over and over, the episodes from the past you ruminate over.
Now make the decision not to go there yet again. Some of this
introspection can be helpful, but if it becomes repetitive and
involuntary it can “lead to your own affliction.” There are ways to take
more control over your mental action, and not ruminating is one of
those ways.
|
|
Tomorrow: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures
One week from today: Reflecting upon Social Action
Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel
Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.
No comments:
Post a Comment