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Right action | Spread you wings
“Abstaining from the destruction of life, abstaining from taking what is not given, and abstaining from sexual misconduct — this is called right action.” Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Bhikkhu Bodhi
Is this the right action? It’s not something we always think about, we often act without thinking and regret it later.
The fact is we are not thinking through our choices, we rarely take into account how it will affect us long-term.
We may know right from wrong, but we handle things the worse way, mostly out of deeply rooted habits.
Not only that, we don’t seem to learn from past mistakes and go on repeating our steps blindly.
We rush
In any situation, whether or not we’re conscious of the course we’re about to take depends on our awareness.
Decisions taken in a haste lack that crucial element, we’re out of touch with what’s happening, both outside and within.
If our actions are motivated by greed, lust and hate, we’re deaf and blind to the results, suffering is guaranteed.
Circumstances catch us at our worst or our best, it’s up to us to make the best of it, do right!
For your own good
“Know that dark actions bring forth dark results, bright actions bring forth bright results, and mixed actions bring forth varied results.” Kazuaki Tanahashi, Peter Levitt
Wouldn’t you want to know the choices you make will lead to good things? Follow the advice of the wise.
Begin by deepening your understanding of the laws that governs the whole of nature, including yourself.
If you doubt that ancient teachings can serve a modern world driven by competition and rivalries, wait…
Reflect for a minute about past actions that brought about sad results, it will help you open up.
Know what makes happiness
To make anything, it isn’t enough to wish for it, you need the necessary elements and the know-how.
That’s true for whatever we want to create, you need a plan, a list, and the skills that will make it happen.
If we wish to create a happy life for instance, then we ought to make sure the foundations are there to work with.
Also, we need to distinguish between what makes us truly happy and what we believe will.
Right action | Pause
“It’s much better to make a decision when your mind is clear and free rather than in the sway of fear, anger, and worries.” Thich Nhat Hanh
It’s easy to go about it the right way when conditions are at their best and our mind is unobstructed.
But in the midst of extreme situations, our nervous system reacts, pushing us to fight or flee.
At that point, we’re set to take the shortest route, the greater the urgency, the more automatic our reaction.
Unfortunately, we don’t need to be in mortal danger for the mind to react that way, anything can trigger it.
Everything is personal
Our mind goes on the defensive when it perceives something as a threat on the self and its possessions.
Depending on our level of resilience, we’ll find difficult maintaining a clear mindset, especially when our mind goes loud.
When we’re untrained, the rising flood of thoughts makes difficult taking in information that might serve our understanding.
Problems that keep piling up put us on guard, under constant pressure it’s no wonder we have trouble thinking.
Right action | It’s up to you!
“The key is taking responsibility for our actions. Our future well-being depends on what we do right now.” Pema Chodron
Spending time thinking about what we are about to do is worthwhile, it gives us a chance to change our mind.
That stands for our life’s dreams, consider the why and the how, what will it take to bring them to light?
Don’t think in terms of getting there fast, dig deeper, try to expand your vision way into the future.
Be honest with yourself, look at the plan and all it takes, like it? How does it make you feel?
You make your bed
If there’s discomfort, remember you are the one who will first and foremost experience the results, change plans.
We’re accountable at any given moment, so we should stay alert, what we’re doing sets things in motion.
We’re to blame if we’re negligent and take things lightly, in nature nothing is trivial, everything has its function.
Be mindful at all time, it will spare you from future grief, remember you want enduring happiness nothing less.
You are the owner of your actions
“The action is yours, based on your own will, your own decision—and your own mind.” Marcus Aurelius
We’re not bystanders but we behave as if we are, we don’t we fully appreciate our cut in the big picture.
Thinking exclusively about ourselves and our well-being we lose sight of what makes lasting happiness.
Expecting the desired result without taking into account our involvement with the environment is downright foolish.
Inconsideration doesn’t need active participation; all it takes is allowing unwholesome behaviors.
Whatever, so long…
Remember how karma works? everything you do, down to the most trivial things, creates more of the same.
While we’re not paying attention, the results of our actions expand in space time, and each one can turn into pattern.
Do it once – It’s accidental., Do it on purpose – It’s serious., Do it again and again – You make it a pattern.
We need a compass, without it we easily fall to a dangerous mode, social consensus, the herd doesn’t always do right.
What we can foresee
“It is love alone that leads to right action.” Jiddu Krishnamurti
When it comes to those we love and cherish we usually take care and it shows.
Our actions serve as proof of affection, the closer we feel, the more attention we pay, the happier our circles.
Right action begins with our intent, but that does not stop there, it has to express itself in everything we say and do.
Motivated by love, our approach changes, we become considerate, we weigh, we imagine how it feels on the receiving end.
Now spread it around
Why don’t we care as much when our actions involve strangers? Again, because we don’t see how it affects us.
That’s why Buddhist practitioners are advised to treat every living being as their mother, it fosters closeness, invites respect and consideration.
When it comes to practicing right action, no doubt we will fail sometimes, we learn from it and keep trying.
If you don’t want to experience unwanted results, stop, and think before you act, use analytical meditation, don’t fall into habits.
We have everything to gain by doing right, for ourselves and others , so add awareness to what you doॐ .
Nathalie Bizawi, founder of Wisdom & Mindfulness meditation center. Senior Meditation, Mindfulness and philosophy instructor, From Wingate Academic College. M.A in Education from TAU University, Tel Aviv.
Wisdom & Mindfulness your meditation center in Tel Aviv