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
ill will. (MN 141)
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We all have the
capacity for unhealthy states. This capacity was eliminated by the
Buddha under the Bodhi tree, his awakening being largely defined as
dismantling the mechanism by which such states as anger, jealousy,
hatred, and cruelty arise. Pulled up by the roots, they can no longer
occur. But for the rest of us, the issue is more about managing these
states than vanquishing them, and this requires restraint.
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Restraining the
arising of unhealthy mental and emotional states that lie dormant in
the unconscious mind but have not had occasion to erupt into
consciousness is an important practice. We learn to position ourselves
and hold ourselves in ways that do not encourage these states to arise.
If you do not ruminate about people treating you badly, for example, you
will not be likely to feel ill will or hatred toward them.
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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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