(it was my intention to have this sitting posted a few hours ago … )

The second branch of the ‘Eightfold Path‘ is ‘Right Intention’ … also spoken of as ‘Right Aspiration’ ‘Right Thought’ or ‘A Will to the Truth’ …

… This is not some “black/white” promise to find “the one right answer“, to never make a mistake, or to always “do the one right thing”.

Instead, it is an aspiration to, as best we can, seek for wholesome conduct through a commitment to Practice. We aim to live in a way, as we can, (1) which softens and frees us from the dissatisfaction (Dukkha) brought about by inner desire and craving, while embracing life ‘just as it is’, (2) which nurtures good will and loving-kindness, reducing feelings of anger and aversion, and (3) which aspires to the avoidance of harm through thoughts, words or deeds, and to the development of Compassion.

In other words … it is just the will to live, as best we can, a peaceful, healthful and nonharmful life … at one with life and the world as-they-are … through our Buddhist Practice.


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