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 awakening factors of tranquility and
concentration. (MN 141)
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Sometime we may
find ourselves falling into tranquil and focused states of mind quite
naturally, but more often this is a practice that needs to be
deliberately cultivated. When we know the value of such states, it is
useful to induce them whenever we can. Usually this is just a matter of
remembering to do so and then going through certain exercises of
focusing on a single object and returning to it consistently when you
drift.
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It is
worthwhile calling to mind and developing the awakening factors of
tranquility and concentration, grouped together here because each
entails the other. A focused mind is naturally tranquil, and a tranquil
mind is focused. Get in the habit of putting aside some time—at least 20
minutes—whenever you can, devoting it to accessing and sustaining a
state of peaceful alertness, quiet concentration, and focused
tranquility. It feels good.
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Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Mind and Abiding in the Third Jhāna
One week from today: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States
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