RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Bodily Action
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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 bodily
action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61)
When you wish to do an action with the body, reflect upon that same
bodily action thus: "Would this action I wish to do with the body lead
to 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)
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How much of our
bodily action is intentional, done with full awareness, and how much of
what we do is done out of habit? Seeing what you do as you do it, as
when you observe yourself in a mirror, is one of the metaphors used for
mindfulness.
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Practice acting
with full awareness. Even simple tasks like breathing and walking and
eating can be fields for training the capacity for mindfulness. Then the
ability will be available when more ethically challenging situations
arise. It is a matter of becoming more sensitive to the implications of
acting, and being more aware of everything we do. In this way we can
plant healthy fruit, rather than just dealing with whatever arises.
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Tomorrow: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings
One week from today: Reflecting upon Verbal Action
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