#528 The Right View by Miranda Nov. 14th 24

  RIGHT VIEW

“And what, monks, is Right View? It is monks, the knowledge of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering. This is called the Right View.” – Buddhist Scripture

The Eightfold Path consists of eight interrelated steps leading to Nirvana. It is divided into three categories: wisdom training, ethics training, and meditation training. Proper View is typically positioned at the beginning of this path; however, it may be more insightful to envision it as one of the key elements to achieve awakening. Rather than being a first step to be accomplished, it serves as one of the eight elements of the Eightfold Path, along with proper resolve, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.

The concept of Proper View encompasses a profound understanding of the Four Noble Truths, especially concerning the nature and origin of dukkha (suffering) and how to transcend it. This understanding fosters a wise perspective on the truths about ourselves and the world. It allows us to navigate life with greater skill and less burdened by our ego-driven conditioned behaviors. At its core, Proper View highlights that we are often deluded about our identities, the essence of life, and the nature of reality.

What does this mean?

1. Change is the Only Constant: Nothing lasts. Embracing a deep understanding of impermanence is crucial for dispelling our delusions. 
2. Attachments Create Suffering: Our ego-driven attachments to desires, aversions and delusions trap us in a continuous cycle of suffering. This leads to a state of mental and emotional instability, where we are mere day sleepwalkers in our own lives.
3. Genuine Reality Exists Beyond our Mind-Made Constructs: True reality lies not within our analytical, problem-solving minds, but, and only in each current moment as it unfolds. This True Reality is beyond concepts, labels, expectations, judgments, memories, beliefs, ideas, and all thoughts in general. 
4. Interconnection is Fundamental: All phenomena arise and pass away about one another; nothing occurs in isolation. Understanding this interconnection also highlights how our past actions shape our present and how our current actions will influence the future. It also explains the Zen teaching of “No Self”. The Self does not exist as a separate entity. Rather, it results from context, causes and circumstances conditionally interacting and impacting each other.

We take meaningful steps along the Eightfold Path by embracing these insights and working on authentically integrating them into our daily lives. Each application of Proper View enhances our journey toward greater wisdom, liberation, serenity, and eventually Awakening. Thanks. Miranda