Sunday, July 14, 2024

Viua Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States

 


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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 the 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 sluggishness. (MN 141)
Reflection
Among the five hindrances is the hindrance of sluggishness. More colorfully called “sloth and torpor” in many texts, this is the quality of mind that is lacking energy, is low on enthusiasm, and just generally results in laziness or sleepiness. It is not a moral failing, but it is unhealthy insofar as it obstructs clarity of mind and thereby can contribute to suffering. It helps to make an effort to restrain its arising in the mind whenever possible.

Daily Practice
The practice of restraining the arising of sluggishness is not about repressing it but about understanding the conditions in which it thrives. You can work to limit those conditions so that sluggishness is not inclined to arise. Cultivate its antidote, energy, by raising physical and mental activity before sluggishness gains a foothold. Knowing it is present as a latent or potential trait helps guard against having it flare up in experience. 

Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Body and Abiding in the First Jhāna
One week from today: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States

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