The Middle Path/Noble Eightfold Path

A Buddhist concept

1. Right Understanding
   1. the understanding of things as they are
   2. understanding the Four Noble Truths
   3. real deep understanding is “penetration”, seeing a thing in its true nature without name and label
      1. only possible through no more impurities and development through meditation
2. Right Thought
   1. selfless renunciation, detachment
   2. thoughts of love and thoughts of non-violence extended to all beings
3. Right Speech
   1. no
      1. lies
      2. backbiting and slander and talk that may bring about hatred, enmity, disunity and disharmony among individuals or groups of people
      3. harsh, rude, impolite, malicious, and abusive language
      4. idle, useless, foolish babble and gossip
4. Right Action
   1. moral, honorable, and peaceful conduct
   2. no
      1. destroying life
      2. stealing
      3. dishonest dealings
      4. illegitimate sexual intercourse
   3. help others lead a peaceful and honorable life in the right way
5. Right Livelihood 4. don’t make a living through professions that can bring harm to others
6. Right Effort (To be proactive is to be alive)
   1. the energetic will to
      1. prevent evil and unwholesome states of mind from arising
      2. to get rid of such evil and unwholesome states that have already arisen within a man
      3. to produce, to cause to arise, good and wholesome states of mind not yet arisen
      4. to develop and bring to perfection the good and wholesome states of mind already present in a man
7. Right Mindfulness 2. to be diligently aware, mindful, and attentive with regard to 1. the activities of the body 2. sensations or feelings 3. the activities of the mind 4. ideas, thoughts, conceptions, and things
8. Right Concentration
   1. the four stages of Dhyāna (trance/recueillement)
      1. passionate desires and unwholesome thoughts disappear, the feeling of joy and happiness are maintained with certain mental activities
      2. no intellectual activities
      3. no feelings of joy, but still disposition of happiness and mindful equanimity
      4. all sensations disappear, only pure equanimity and awareness