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) Flavors cognizable by the tongue are of two kinds: those to be cultivated and those not to be cultivated. Such flavors as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to increase and healthy states to diminish, such flavors are not to be cultivated. But such flavors as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to diminish and healthy states to increase, such flavors are to be cultivated. (MN 114)

Reflection How easy it is for some of us to misbehave among sensual pleasures associated with the tongue and flavors! We are used to hearing that some foods are better or worse for our physical health because of their nutrients and/or toxins, but here we are being told that some flavors arouse unhealthy states such as greed and hatred, while some do not. We should learn to look at the impact of what we eat on the mind as well as the body.  Daily Practice Try looking at your eating experience as a series of choices, not only of what you eat but also of the quality of mind with which you are eating. An easy example is eating something that tastes so good that craving for more arises in the mind. Whether it is raw kale or a sugar doughnut is not the point, nor is it necessary to stop eating it. What is important is learning to eat without the co-arising of greed. Try this out in your own experience. 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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