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Since one event, action, or reaction, results in an effect and that in turn causes other events, actions, and reactions, it is important for the Buddhist seeking Enlightenment to develop "Intentional Mindfulness". All things are impermanent, all occurrences in one’s life are conditioned by others and with a turn of the "Karmic Wheel" then form conditions for other occurrences. The way to stop this unremitting pain and suffering in our lives is to eliminate these cravings, yearnings, and desires through a "Conscious Relinquishment" of them or deliberate non-attachment, forsaking, release, and abandonment of them through "Intentional Mindfulness". What one intends in one's mind is so very important because all painful experiences which bring about suffering in our lives stem from our unfulfilled desires, yearnings, and cravings. The relentless treadmills of painful karma and cyclical rebirth are woven from these cravings, pleasure seeking activities, and lusty attempts to fulfill our desires. Gautama Buddha taught that objectivity, necessity, invariability and conditionality were the four characteristics of causation. In order to get off the "Karmic Wheel" the Buddhist needed to initiate potent moral action in any moment of time so that the skandhas were properly configured. A person consists of five skandhas. They are a bodily form, feelings, perceptions, impulses, and consciousness. At any given moment in time, one is an amalgam of these five groups. Any future blended patterns are the result of prior causations. Moral actions result in more propitious circumstances while wrongful acts lead to unfortunate conditions. This causal linkage continues from lifetime to lifetime until the Buddhist is liberated from the karmic cycles of rebirth by achieving Enlightenment from following the "Noble Eightfold Path" with "Intentional Mindfulness". Peaceful Nirvana and Enlightened Intentional Mindfulness then result from training and study of the "Middle Way" path of upward spiral movement. "The Noble Eightfold Path", which will eventually lead you to "Enlightenment" and "Nirvana" and the eventual cessation of all pain and all suffering, consists of an upward spiraling amalgamation of Wisdom, Morality, and Concentration.
Aspirants begin with a small spark of
"Wisdom" which inspires them to moral action and meditation which expands the wisdom which bolsters the "Morality" and leads to
higher levels of meditative "Concentration" and so on. Wisdom comes from
cultivated Right Views and Right Intentions.
The "Wisdom" of Right Views and Right Intentions leads to the "Morality" of Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. "Morality" then spirals upward to the Right Effort, Right Contemplation, and Right Mindfulness of "Concentration". To promote a happy harmonious life for both the individual and society and to build a foundation for higher states of Buddhic Consciousness, Buddhists must perform only moral actions. Morality encompasses Right Action, Right Speech, and Right Livelihood. Meditation or Concentration is also an essential ingredient for Enlightenment and Nirvana. By contemplating universal truths and one’s essential beingness, one's consciousness nurtures detachment and abstract understanding. Meditation is often self-possessed, mindful concentration on the mind, emotions, thoughts, and dharmic principles. A compassionate path of philosophical intellect and inspirational wisdom, Buddhism is based on basic Buddhic principles. Everyone is equal under karmic law. Treat all sentient beings like oneself. Cultivate compassion, kindliness, empathy and fairness. In order to turn the "Wheel of Dharma" and put an end to painful suffering, one needs to embark on a quest for truth that will awaken heartfelt compassion. If one followed the Buddhism "Middle Way Path", it would bring a spiritual pilgrim clear vision, insight, wisdom, tranquility, awakening, enlightenment, and nirvana. The practical teachings of Buddhism are meant to carry one to safety, peace, happiness, tranquility and the attainment of Nirvana. The "Middle Way" path to salvation and individual emancipation involves "Enlightened Intentional Mindfulness" through diligently developing wholesome, virtuous qualities and eliminating unwholesome, non-virtuous qualities from the personality. It is important to mindfully intend to identify and connect the spiritual Self with the transcendent, eternal reality of Suchness, Truth, or Law that permeates and regulates the universe and coexists with the everchanging cycles of human existence.
When one reaches the
Nirvana of Buddha Consciousness, one's Spirit resonates with this Ultimate
Reality and with enlightened grace and the ideal of the compassionate
Bodhisattva.
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