Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States

 

RIGHT EFFORT Maintaining Arisen 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)

Reflection The mind is always moving, leaning into the future as it flows like a stream through the landscape of the world. What path it takes is guided by neither chance nor a higher power: each moment inclines the mind toward the next moment. This is why it can be so important to maintain healthy mental and emotional states when they arise. The healthier the mind is now, the healthier it is likely to be in the future. Daily Practice Notice when you feel kindness toward someone, and then extend that further by feeling kindly toward someone else. Be aware of generosity when it is present in your mind and look for ways to continue expressing it through other generous actions. When you have moments of insight and understanding, allow yourself to linger on them, ponder their significance, and let the wisdom sink a little deeper into your mind. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Mental Objects and Abiding in the Fourth Jhāna One week from today: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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