Dear Teacher,
It is so nice to see the growth of Daily Wisdom and to see the spread of the Teachings, with many thanks to your dedication and devotion!
Would you kindly help me with Right Effort, in particular the instruction that practitioners are to exert their will and energy to arise wholesome mental states?
Should practitioners strive to arise wholesome mental states at all times?
When a practitioner is focused on a task of, for example, writing an email, what wholesome mental state should be arisen? Would singleness of mind (ex. focusing on that email) be considered a wholesome mental state? Or should the practitioner be, for example, arising compassion or loving kindness whilst writing that email?
Similarly, during meditation, if a practitioner notices there isn't any particular wholesome mental state in the mind, should the practitioner aim to arise wholesome mental state, or should the practitioner simply redirect his/her attention back to the breath? If the latter, would the practice of meditation itself be considered an act that arises wholesome mental state (ex. cultivating wisdom, focusing the mind, etc)?
Thank you for any guidance you might share on this, Teacher!
Teacher David replies.
Hello Nackun…sure, I will help you.
Dear Teacher,
It is so nice to see the growth of Daily Wisdom and to see the spread of the Teachings, with many thanks to your dedication and devotion!
You are welcome sir….pleased to help you and all those with a sincere interest to learn and grow on The Path to Enlightenment.
Would you kindly help me with Right Effort, in particular the instruction that practitioners are to exert their will and energy to arise wholesome mental states?
Sure…
Should practitioners strive to arise wholesome mental states at all times?
Yes.
When a practitioner is focused on a task of, for example, writing an email, what wholesome mental state should be arisen?
Singleness of mind….along with loving-kindness and compassion to practice Right Intention and Right Speech (i.e. Right Communication).
Would singleness of mind (ex. focusing on that email) be considered a wholesome mental state?
Yes.
Or should the practitioner be, for example, arising compassion or loving kindness whilst writing that email?
Yes, these are wholesome qualities to arise as well….and it would be important to cultivate all of them, as needed.
Similarly, during meditation, if a practitioner notices there isn't any particular wholesome mental state in the mind, should the practitioner aim to arise wholesome mental state, or should the practitioner simply redirect his/her attention back to the breath?
Through focusing on the breath and anytime it moves off the breath, a Practitioner is bringing the mind back to the breath, the Practitioner is cultivating the wholesome qualities of mindfulness and concentration along with, eliminating the unwholesome quality of craving/desire/attachment.
If the latter, would the practice of meditation itself be considered an act that arises wholesome mental state (ex. cultivating wisdom, focusing the mind, etc)?
Yes….as detailed in the classes I teach. You will find that with each meditation I teach, I share the wholesome qualities that are being cultivated and the unwholesome qualities that are being eliminated.
You will find this in the classes where I teach meditation.
Thank you for any guidance you might share on this, Teacher!
You are very welcome, pleased to help you.
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