Something to Meditate on

Episode 13, 7 February 2015, Something to Meditate on. [08:55] Intro: Welcome to Buddhism Guide’s Audio blog. A contemporary look at Gautama Buddha’s Teachings, from Karma Yeshe Rabgye. For more information, visit: http://www.buddhismguide.org You can find more episodes of this audio blog on iTunes and Stitcher Podcasts. A transcript of this episode is available at http://buddhismguide.org/audio-blog-archive/audio-blog-transcripts/episode-13-transcript-something-to-meditate-on Episode 13: Something to Meditate on. [00:45] 1. Single Minded Concentration. In Gautama Buddha's Eightfold Path, what is traditionally talked about in Right Meditation is being able to concentrate single mindedly, on the object of your meditation. The way to live a responsible life, is to meditate on the Eightfold Path, make it a part of your life, and then check your progress every day at a daily review session. 2. Right View. [02:37] The first part of the Eightfold Path is Right View. So, while meditating on Right View, you have to really understand the workings of cause and effect. 3. Right Intention. [03:43] You should not harm others, nor have ill-will towards them and your actions should not be driven by the Three Poisons, which are: Attachment, Aversion, and Unawareness. 4. Right Speech. [04:17] Next, mediate on Right Speech. Many a time we open our mouths before using our brains, and what comes out is harmful and unhelpful to others. 5. Right Action. [05:28] Now comes Right Action. So we must ensure we are fully in tune with our actions, so that we are aware of when we are being led astray by the Three Poisons. 6. Right Livelihood. [06:24] Again, ensure that your work does not harm anybody and bring suffering to them. Think about your chosen profession and if you see that you are harming a living being, try to change jobs, or at the very least minimise the damage you cause. 7. Be at ease on the cushion. [06:57] In all of the above, ensure you put in the Right Effort and Right Mindfulness. Because it is impossible to sit quietly and mentally still on the meditation cushion, if you are not at ease. 8. Right Mediation in a Nutshell. [07:42] Let us try to put Right Mediation in a nutshell: When our minds are unguarded and we are not concentrating, our actions, speech and thoughts are also unguarded. On the other hand, when our mind is concentrating and guarded, our actions, speech and thoughts are also guarded. Outro. [08:25] You can find more information about this subject in Karma Yeshe Rabgye’s books at http://www.buddhismguide.org/books/ The best way to catch a snake – A Practical Guide to the Buddha’s Teachings; Life’s meandering path – A Secular Approach to Gautama Buddha’s Guide to Living; Ripples in the stream – A Pragmatic Journey Through Gautama Buddha’s Teachings. They’re available now, from Amazon and Kindle. Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoyed Buddhism Guide's audio blog. Until next time, remember, the only person we can ever truly know, is yourself.