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 are doing an action with the mind, reflect on that same mental
action thus: “Is this action I am doing with the mind an unhealthy
bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?” If, on
reflection, you know that it is, then stop doing it; if you know that it
is not, then continue. (MN 61)
|
|
|
|
The mind is
always in motion, either taking in information from the senses and
processing it, or conjuring up thoughts and images, memories and plans,
from its own interior reaches. It is valuable to learn how to watch what
your mind is doing, for in this way you gain the ability to discern
whether your mental actions are healthy or unhealthy and helpful or
unhelpful to the agenda of well-being and happiness.
|
|
|
Practice and
develop the skill of metacognition: that is, being aware of what you are
thinking as you are thinking it. The same goes for being aware of the
entire range of mental activity, including remembering, imagining, and
associating one mental object with another. In addition, measure your
mental activity in terms of how harmful or beneficial the consequences
of your actions are, and adjust your actions as appropriate.
|
|
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