RIGHT EFFORT
Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States
Whatever a person frequently
thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their
mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders unhealthy states, one
has abandoned healthy states to cultivate unhealthy states, and then
one’s mind inclines to unhealthy states. (MN 19)
Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts
the mind, and strives to restrain the arising of unarisen unhealthy
mental states. One restrains the arising of the unarisen hindrance of
doubt. (MN 141)
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Unhealthy
mental states can erupt at any time, and it is prudent to be on guard
against them. The best defense is to not allow them to arise in the
first place, and there are ways to help with that. Faith or trust is the
antidote to doubt, and if you are capable of cultivating trusting
confidence, debilitating doubt will find no foothold in your mind. If
you make an effort to think and ponder with trust, the hindrance of
doubt will not arise.
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It is always
possible to be doubtful of oneself, of others, of what you think you
know or what you are doing. And there is a place for honest questioning
of your assurances. But doubt can also be crippling, preventing you from
moving forward. See if you can gain confidence through faith in the
teachings and the value of mindfulness and use that to hold yourself in
such a way that doubt does not penetrate your mind.
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Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Body and Abiding in the First Jhāna
One week from today: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States
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