Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Concentration

30/09/201611/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Right Concentration is the final practice of Mental Discipline on the Eightfold Path and is about disciplining the mind to see reality as it is. It’s also known as Right Meditation or Samadhi, and is the practice of focusing your mind on one thing until you’ve reached meditative absorption or jhana. Samadhi means concentration, and… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Concentration

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Mindfulness

28/09/201612/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Right Mindfulness is the second practice in Mental Discipline on the Eightfold Path and involves being aware of the present moment with a clear focus. Right Mindfulness is the heart of Buddhist practice and applies across the whole Eightfold Path. When you’re mindful, your thinking is Right Thought, your speech is Right Speech, your actions… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Mindfulness

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Effort

26/09/201612/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Right Effort is the first practice in Mental Discipline on the Eightfold Path and is also known as Right Diligence. This practice supports all the others because it gives you the energy to keep practising, even through difficulties. It involves cultivating a positive attitude and cheerful determination on your quest for freedom from suffering. Right… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Effort

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Action

21/09/201612/12/2016 Jessica Davidson3 Comments

Right Action is the second Ethical Conduct practice on the Eightfold Path and is about acting appropriately in every situation. It builds on all the other practices and can only work if you’re mindful of your true intentions. If you watch your thoughts and develop the right understanding of yourself and reality, your actions shouldn’t… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Action

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Speech

19/09/201611/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Right Speech is the first practice in Ethical Conduct on the Eightfold Path and is about communicating with compassion and in a straightforward way. It follows from Right Thinking and Right Understanding, so you see reality as it is and then express that truth directly. It includes communication through speech and all forms of writing:… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Speech

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Thought

16/09/201611/12/2016 Jessica Davidson4 Comments

Right Thought is the second Wisdom practice of the Eightfold Path, and is also known as Right Intention. It follows directly from Right Understanding because your thoughts and intentions arise from your perception of reality. If you see reality as it is, you’ll have no problems. But if you see reality through a haze of… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Thought

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Understanding

14/09/201611/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Right Understanding is the first practice of the Eightfold Path, and is also known as Right View. It provides context and perspective for the whole path, and is the foundation for all the other practices because it’s about perception. Right Understanding is about seeing yourself and the world as they really are. Sounds simple, right?… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Understanding

Buddhism

The foundational teachings of Buddhism and the Eightfold Path

12/09/201611/12/2016 Jessica Davidson16 Comments

If you want to understand the ideas that underpin any belief system, it’s best to start at the beginning. With Buddhism that means going back to the Four Noble Truths which was the Buddha’s very first teaching. The Four Noble Truths of the Middle Way include the teachings on the Eightfold Path, which is a… Continue reading The foundational teachings of Buddhism and the Eightfold Path

Writing

Right Mindfulness: Write Thought

21/03/201626/06/2020 Jessica Davidson1 Comment

“Right Mindfulness: Write Thought” is the old tagline for this blog. In this post from a few years ago, I explain what it means… I thought it was about time I explained the tagline of this site: Right Mindfulness: Write Thought is a Buddhist pun based on two of the steps on the Eightfold Path… Continue reading Right Mindfulness: Write Thought

Buddhism