A Zen Approach to the Noble Eightfold Path
SELF-GUIDED STUDY
Class 5 - Sila on the Eightfold Path
“Don’t think the 10,000 idiots that dwell within, have gone away. They just take more vacations.”
WATCH: Class 5 of A Zen Approach to the Noble Eightfold Path with Ryushin Paul Haller. Recorded 11/14/2022. Or listen/download the audio file below.
Zazen
Each period of zazen can be initiated by calling to mind the perspective of Right View:- a non-judgmental acknowledgement of the unfolding of conditioned existence. Sit upright, balanced and relaxed.
Right Intention can be expressed through directed and receptive awareness; direct attention to the features of the face. Notice the mouth and lips and invite them to release any tension. Notice the eyes and invite them to soften in their sockets. Notice the jaw muscles and invite them to relax.
Notice the area behind the nose, the nasal passages, and invite them to relax. Notice if the inhale and exhale flow more easily. As you sit let the effects of noticing support awareness.
A Review of Sila
Right Speech recommends attending to the characteristics of both inner and interpersonal speech.
Right Action recommends three modes of abstaining from harmful actions.
Right Way of Living recommends that we express the principles of Sila within the context of our lives and act accordingly.
As we endeavor to uphold these admonitions we stimulate two forms of transformation:-
Increasing skilfulness in responding to karmic conditioning (and lessening reactive responding)
‘Going beyond’ self-centered perspectives.
Both of these potential transformations can support our capacity to meet the request of the other three Steps on the Path; Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. They can foster the ability to see more clearly and honestly our habits of behavior, thinking and emotions. As this happens it enhances our capacity to act intentionally and in accord with the moment. We earn our own trust. Our clinging to desires and aversions loosens and the request of the cultivating of consciousness, of the final three steps meets with less opposition.
(Not that it completely goes away)
These virtuous influences on the sensibility of self invite what Suzuki roshi called ‘Big Self’:- identifying more with ‘we’ and less with ‘me’, and being more open to interbeing with all beings. Our deep caring for well-being becomes more inclusive while generosity, gratitude and kindness arise more readily.
Interbeing proposes appreciation of mutual benevolence.
And yet, as Hafiz says, “Don’t think the 10,000 idiots that dwell within, have gone away. They just take more vacations.”
For all three steps of Sila:
Continue to reflect on the process suggested last week.
Right Action
Reflect on the three admonitions of Right Action:-
- Not taking life
- Not taking what is not given
- Abstaining from sexual misconduct
Consider the dharma principle of each one as described in the summary and then consider how each of them presents itself in the context of your life.
What would be appropriate action in relation to the instances you thought of?
Each day take action in accord with the appropriate action of one the admonitions. Reflect on what you learned from taking that action.
Right Livelihood
Each day notice an issue that's active in your ‘way of life’. Pick some issues related to your livelihood and some issues that relate to society or the environment. Ask yourself, what is an appropriate way to practice with this issue?
That day, enact your appropriate response. Notice the impact of your action on you. Did you feel enlivened? Frustrated? Effective? Compassionate? More connected to others? More appreciative? How does your response guide your ‘way of life’.
Ask yourself what did you learn about Sila from how you related to these suggestions last week and can you incorporate your learnings into how you'll relate to them this week? If you didn't reflect on them or didn't carry them into your daily activity, what's an appropriate response to that? What expression of Sila would be appropriate this week?
If you did reflect and enact last week's suggestions, what changes, if any, would be helpful for your practice this week?
Also when you sit, offer yourself the support of the Sila of upright, non-judgemental awareness, on behalf of all beings.