The Noble Eightfold Path

[Individual]

I wake up at the right time. I eat my bowl of Cheerios. I brush my teeth. I walk my dog. I get to school on time.

It doesn't have to be anymore complicated than this!

• Right View
• Right Intention
• Right Speech
• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration

Take these eight and ask, "What do they have in common?"

Just "Right!"

[catmoon]

And what is Right?

hee hee hee

Claim it's obvious and you get to do the year over

[ground]

And what is Right?

What the Buddha taught if you follow his advice.

Kind regards

[Individual]

And what is Right?

All of the factors of the eightfold path are connected and each one can be explained in its own terms or in relation to the other factors, but in reality, the factors are neither one nor eight. Because you can start anywhere and wherever you start, that is connected to the rest.

So, for instance, I'm cleaning my room: It's a mess. There's soda cans, plates, trash, toilet has to be cleaned, etc.. I could fall into hate & despair and think, "OMG! This place is a mess! I don't even know where to begin!"

But really, it doesn't matter where I begin. I could start with the soda cans or the toilet, and once I do one, I feel motivation to do the next, to do the next, to do the next, and I get in a kind of rhythm, where my next wholesome action gives rise to the next, connected by joy and bliss. And soon, the whole room is clean. If we simply take that first step, we have already conquered Mara.