Middle Path: the righteous path

Siddhartha Gautama, known to a wider audience as the “Buddha” the enlightened being accredited with creating the basis for Buddhist philosophy. In essence his teachings are embodied in two important principles: (1) The Four Noble Truths (2) The Noble Path or the Noble Eightfold Path. The latter is also known as the Middle Path and is described by the Buddha as “a path of moderation between the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification.”

At its core the Noble Path defines a complete path and a guide to a way of living, which emphasizes discipline in practice more so than intellectual knowledge. These eight factors are interconnected, and must be properly understood, in order for them to be applied correctly. When practiced in unison, these factors bring insight and teaching to life, which leads to the true understanding and cessation of suffering or “dukkha,”which states that the search for a spiritual path is born out of suffering.

In order to adequately understand the “Middle Path”, one must analyze its eight factors. The eight factors, branch out of three categories, which are not in chronological order of importance and don’t subscribe to level of degrees or stages; rather they operate in dependence on one another.

The Wisdom category or (‘paññā’ in pāli language), contains two factors: (1) Right View, which suggests viewing reality as it is, not just as it appears to be. It is the process of gaining knowledge and understanding of the Four Noble Truths, through personal experience and practice of spiritual exercises. (2) Right Intention, means Intention of renunciation. This factor relates to detachment, love and nonviolence. Unlike, when thoughts based on selfish desire, hatred and violence are present; it is a ...

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... and escapes your lungs. Noticing that your head is full of disjointed thoughts that clutter the mind. With continued medication the mind tends to slow down and clear up. Buddha practiced Vipassana meditation; which is (notice-the-breath-meditation) in order to bring about enlightenment.

The eight factors of the path are always accessible to us; they are mental components, which can be established in the mind simply through determination and effort. This is a tool for straightening out ones views and clarifying his or her personal intentions, by purifying our conduct, speech, action, and livelihood. Taking these measures as the foundation of the middle way. Advising how to apply oneself with energy and mindfulness to cultivate concentration and insight, through gradual practice and gradual progress, without deviating from law and free from expecting rapid result.