Right Understanding of Right Understanding

It an interesting point that in the venerated "Eight-fold Path," Buddha stated that the first step in practicing the Way is to direct our efforts towards, "Right Understanding." It's an intriguing point, since so many people tend to emphasize zazen (usually thought of meditation), rather than Buddha's prescribed starting point of "Right Understanding. It might also be notable that one of my favorite authors, "James Allen" places "Understanding" as the "first step" for moving from "Passion to Peace." Here is an excerpt what he wrote:

"The first step towards the heights of wisdom and peace is to understand the darkness and misery of selfishness, and when that is understood, the overcoming of it—the coming out of it—will follow.

Selfishness, or passion, not only subsists in the gross forms of greed and glaringly ungoverned conditions of mind; it informs also every hidden thought which is subtly connected with the assumption and glorification of one's self. It is most deceiving and subtle when it prompts one to dwell upon the selfishness in others, to accuse them of it and to talk about it. The man who continually dwells upon the selfishness in others will not thus overcome his own selfishness. Not by accusing others do we come out of selfishness, but by purifying ourselves.

The way from passion to peace is not by hurling painful charges against others, but by overcoming one's self. By eagerly striving to subdue the selfishness of others, we remain passion-bound. By patiently overcoming our own selfishness, we ascend into freedom. Only he who has conquered himself can subdue others; and he subdues them, not by passion, but by love.

The foolish man accuses others and justifies himself; but he who is becoming wise justifies others and accuses himself. The way from passion to peace is not in the outer world of people; it is in the inner world of thoughts; it does not consist in altering the deeds of others, it consists in perfecting one's own deeds.

Frequently, the man of passion is most eager to put others right; but the man of wisdom puts himself right. If one is anxious to reform the world, let him begin by reforming himself. The reformation of self does not end with the elimination of the sensual elements only; that is its beginning. It ends only when every vain thought and selfish aim is overcome. Short of perfect purity and wisdom, there is still some form of self-slavery or folly which needs to be conquered."

These are powerful and compelling trains of thought. Right understanding put in this way suddenly makes a lot of sense as to why Buddha placed it first on the list. I liken it to a farmer who prepares a field so that what when he plants his seeds, they will grow healthy crops. Meditation built on a foundation of intense self obsession and self centeredness can be an exceedingly difficult journey. Right understanding prepares our way so that we can speed up journey. Let me know what you think.

Namaste'

Jaye Morris, Curator
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