Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures

 

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RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures  Sensual misconduct is unhealthy. Refraining from sensual misconduct is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning sensual misconduct, one abstains from misbehaving among sensual pleasures. (MN 41) One practices thus: “Others may engage in sensual misconduct, but I will abstain from sensual misconduct.” (MN 8) Communities are of two kinds: those to be cultivated and those not to be cultivated. Such communities as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to increase and healthy states to diminish, such communities are not to be cultivated. But such communities as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to diminish and healthy states to increase, such communities are to be cultivated. (MN 114)

Reflection Collective relationships are as important to examine as personal relationships. Just as the kinds of friends we keep affect our own development so also the communities we are part of make a difference in what qualities are supported in us. It is so easy to fall into sensual misconduct; we are being encouraged here to attend carefully to the larger social forces with which we regularly interact. It makes a difference in who we become. Daily Practice Reflect upon the various communities you inhabit and assess truthfully whether they are healthy or unhealthy groups. The criteria are pretty straightforward: Do healthy states of mind increase or decrease when you hang out with this crowd? Do unhealthy states increase or decrease? It is important to ensure that the relationships we cultivate are helping us grow in a positive direction and that we are not being led astray by our peers. Tomorrow: Developing Unarisen Healthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Intoxication Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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