Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness (pp. 178-192)
The previous talks have addressed preventing and overcoming negative states of mind. Once a negative state of mind has been overcome, the mind goes into a neutral state. In this interval of neutral, the mind (like a gear shift) can go back into a negative state or a positive state.
Cultivating Positive States of Mind
There are a number of ways to bring up wholesome or positive states of mind:
- Remember any skillful act that you have done in the past and the pleasant (positive) states of mind that went with that action.
- Recall your past successes in battling greed, hatred, or delusion.
- Apply your mind to figure out what actions created the pleasant (positive) mental state.
Maintaining Positive States of Mind
- Develop strong mindfulness by “paying attention moment to moment to what is.”
- Associate with good friends.
- Study the dharma.
- Meditate.
- Remember the big picture, maintaining perspective.
- Ask yourself, “What, in this moment, am I cultivating?”
- Remember the Buddha’s words: “Do good, do no evil, and purify the mind.”
Reflection
- Each day, re-read this talk and reflect on it.
- Apply your mind to figure out what actions created the pleasant (positive) mental state.
- Are you able to cultivate and maintain positive states of mind?
Meditation
- Take time to meditate each day if only for a little while.
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