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The Noble Eightfold Path

Thich Nhat Hanh · July 30, 2010 · Upper Hamlet, Plum Village, France · Audio Only
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Still Water Meditation Hall
When the water is calm, it reflects things as they truly are. Still Water Meditation is based on:

  1. Breathing in, I see myself as still water.
  2. Breathing out, I reflect things just as they are, without distortion.

Bhava: Becoming and Impermanence
– Bhava (B H A V A) is better translated as “becoming” rather than “being”: everything changes in every kṣaṇa (fraction of a second).
– “Identity” is a continuation: seeds, plants, ancestors, and talents flow from generation to generation.

Karma: Action in Three Aspects

  1. Right Thought
    • Free from discrimination and dualism (father/son, lotus/sun/mud)
  2. Loving Speech
    • Supports, inspires confidence, reconciliation
  3. Right Physical Action
    • Consumption, nourishment, and livelihoods that reduce suffering and preserve the planet

The Four Practices of the Seeds

  1. Do not water negative seeds (anger, jealousy, despair)
  2. Bring back to the original position any negative seed that has manifested, as soon as possible
  3. Water the good seeds in yourself and in the other to bring about a positive mental state
  4. Keep each good seed in consciousness as long as possible so that it may grow

The Noble Eightfold Path

  1. Right View
  2. Right Thought
  3. Right Speech
  4. Right Action
  5. Right Livelihood
  6. Right Diligence
  7. Mindfulness
  8. Concentration

This path leads to the cessation of suffering, to happiness and to freedom in the country of the present moment.

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