The Noble Eightfold Path

The Noble Eightfold Path is the Fourth Noble Truth first taught by Shakyamuni at Deer Park some twenty-five hundred years ago. This path consists of eight distinct yet interconnected and integrated views or ways of actual personal existence. These views are not only virtuous and right they are applicable to your life now. When practiced and understood they are a path to and of wisdom that lead to true inner happiness through the nature of reality.

Right View:

Right view is seeing things as they really are. It is knowing and understanding the Four Noble truths. Are you able to see the truth of the way of the world, the world as it really is? Are you caught up in the perceptual world? Do you experience life as it really is or are you continually upset in some way by expectations or other?
One way to help to attain right view now is to experience your truth of existence. Do insight meditation. Contemplate your being. Once you begin to listen and understand you will see that others are the same.
It helps to lower or limit your expectations of yourself and of others. Why expectations? Because this releases you of unnecessary stress. It brings you back to reality and this is the point. If you put too much demand on yourself and others it is hard to get any clarity. Take time for yourself. Allow others their time.
Another way to see things as they are is to change how you view the news you hear. This could be rumors you hear at a personal level from, say, another person in way of rumor. Another way this happens is when the world bombards you through the media (television, internet, radio, etc.).
Change the way you perceive this information. Don't automatically believe it all, or any of it. Wait until you know for sure. As the Buddha says, "discover for yourself."
Of course, do what is required to live life in a responsible way and to live life to the fullest but integrate the reality of the world you live in by taking a mindful look around you.

Right Intention:

The Noble Eightfold Path includes right intention. This is the purpose and attitude held within one's mind with regard to the effect of one's action and conduct. Do you act with the right intention? Are your intentions for the good or for the bad? Do you intend to spread good will or ill will?
Start today by spreading good will, have good intentions. Of course, don't confuse this with the denial of reality for yourself. In other words don't neglect yourself or those you love. Do what it is that is required to live a peaceful existence.
One example of right intention is if you were accosted by a group of bandits or thieves you wouldn't tell them things they don't need to know. If they asked who else is here you wouldn't tell them your wife or child is hiding under the bed or where your hidden money is.
Right intention is doing the right thing in every situation. It takes practice and plenty of it but start today.

Right Speech:

The Noble Eightfold Path of right speech is using your words with wisdom, wisely. Do you refrain from harsh and slanderous words? Do you speak with the intent to do good for all? Do you lie unnecessarily?
Start today by talking of things as they really are. Stop spreading rumors. Speak in terms of truth and well meaning. Use a voice and tone appropriate for the situation. Express yourself with right speech and others will follow.
Read more about right speech here.

Right Action:

Right action is the proceeding of doing the right thing in day to day life. Do your actions cause good to yourself and others? Do your actions show compassion for others?
Today be kind, be gracious. Show this to the people you meet in your life. Show this to those that are in your life.

Right Livelihood:

Right livelihood is how you make your way financially in life. Does your work in any way cause harm to others, the environment or yourself? Do you enjoy your work? Do you gain inner joy and satisfaction from your work?
Start today by searching for that which you would enjoy working at. Maybe it's something that will help others, something you've always wanted to do. Maybe it is something a little more adventurous that will provide enjoyment for others. Who knows, but start today to discover what your livlihood is. Do so with a sense of pleasure and accomplishment.
Read more about right livelihood here.

Right Effort:

The Noble Eightfold Path of right effort is the amount of exertion you apply to whatever you think, do or say. Are you slack and lazy? Are you tight and stressed? Are you somewhere between these two extremes?
Today place the correct amount of effort behind what it is that you are doing with the right intention of applying the right effort to completing your goal. Whatever your goal may be.

Right Mindfulness:

Right mindfulness is the awareness of things as they really are. Are you able to be mindful of your tasks, whatever they may be, in such a manner that you see the beauty, cause no harm, and aren't decieved?
Today you can be mindful of the tasks that you do, the people you talk to, and your actions whatever they may be. This is a great way or aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path in that it connects you to the present moment. If you are talking with someone maintain mindfulness and discover this truth for yourself. If you are working on a task maintain mindfulness and discover for yourself.

Right Meditation:

Right meditation is also called right concentration. It is the use of one's mind in such a way that one's mental forces are developed. Are you able to focus well? Are you able to meditate with peace? Are you bothered by thoughts? Does the monkey harrass you?
Start your meditation practice today. Start slow and build on it as you go. Enjoy your meditation session even if at first it is for one minute only.
Meditation is a great aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path because once practiced and realized it brings great clarity to your mind and as a result to your kamma (or actions).
Read more about right meditation here.
You will begin to have clarity in you life. Right meditation is one of the most satisfying aspects of the Noble Eightfold Path because the experience of meditation complements the other aspects of this great path.

The Eightfold Path -Right Speech

The Eightfold Path -Right Livelihood

The Noble Eightfold Path is The Fourth Noble Truth.END=OM MANI PADME HUM.( 3 TIMES ).RESEARCH TIBET DHARMA BY VENERABLE GESHE TESERING TASHI.VIETNAMESE TIBET NUN.28/1/2012.NEW ZEALAND.