Right Thinking
One might approach right thinking through
conscious breathing, thinking non-thinking, or not thinking,
instead being open and attentive
to the present moment's needs, and the present situation.
Right view is the foundation for right thinking,
yet all aspects of the eightfold-path are interdependent;
In Thich Nhat Hahn's term they "inter-are".
TNH advocates four specific approaches to right thinking:
1. Ask yourself: Am I really sure about this?
2. Maintain awareness, e.g., ask yourself: What am I doing (NOW)?
3. Recognize and take care of your habit energy.
Greet your habit energy when you become aware
that your thoughts are being driven by your habits,
recognize the type of thought and its emotional sources.
With right concentration, liberate your mind
letting thoughts come and go without disturbing yourself.
TNH also advocates stopping, calming and looking deeply,
in stages of recognition, acceptance, embracing, looking deeply, and insight,
as an approach to taking care of our deeply ingrained habit energies.
His fourth and final approach to right thinking is:
4. In your relations with others, establish and maintain your
Mind of love (sometimes called loving kindness),
Compassion,
Joy (sometimes called joy-sharing), and
Equanimity
This page is mostly taken from my
Right, According to Buddha,
that is my rough summary outline of Thich Nhat Hahn's book
"The Heart of Buddha's Teaching"
The folowing poems reflect various aspects of right thinking:
Righteousness or Consciousness
Requirements for the Still Point
Stories and Reality
Love's Knowing
Inferences about God
Ego and Ownership
Communities, and Self
Distractions, Angst, and Ego
Basic Buddhist guidelines are listed in my
Buddhism in a Nutshell
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