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The Middle Path - The Only Path?
I do hear from somewhere that there is not just one way to Nirvana but 84,000...
But then, may all such paths be classified generally under "The Middle Path"? Indirectly, does it imply that no way of self-deprivation or no way of self-indulging may bring you there, and if so, why?
Something to cue you guys into the topic... Today's Beliefnet Buddhist Wisdom bite...
Let me tell you about the middle path. Dressing in rough and dirty garments, letting your hair grow matted, abstaining from eating any meat or fish, does not cleanse the one who is deluded. Mortifying the flesh through excessive hardship does not lead to a triumph over the senses. All self-inflicted suffering is useless as long as the feeling of self is dominant.
You should lose your involvement with yourself and then eat and drink naturally, according to the needs of your body. Attachment to your appetites--whether you deprive or indulge them--can lead to slavery, but satisfying the needs of daily life is not wrong. Indeed, to keep a body in good health is a duty, for otherwise the mind will not stay strong and clear.
This is the middle path.
-Discourse II
From "The Pocket Buddha Reader," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston,
www.shambhala.com.
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Comments
The “middle path” does embrace living healthily.
There is enough suffering in life without resorting to mortification of the flesh or gluttony, both of which bring about unnecessary suffering and degradation of the body-mind.
Once the “middle path” is achieved, all paths, including the middle path, dissolve.
The middle way is just being natural and not putting obstacles in our way of progressive realization.
I have to disagree. Natural is exactly what it isn't. The Precepts enjoin a change in behaviour just as meditation entails a change of mind.
But that's just my wavering stab at it. Tulach Ard will have to explain.
....And at other times, I under-reacted....being hesitant, intimidated, misguided or simply cowardly and unaware....preferring for what ever reasons, to 'not get involved'....
Now,my actions are far more weighed up and considered....and even though I still make the most awful blunders at times (Don't I Simon.....?) I do try to remain consciously Mindful of the Middle Way. I guess practise makes it become natural, eventually.......But it IS hard work - !
This path has also been called "against the stream" or "on the edge of a knife". Certainly not comfortable-sounding from those analogies! It requires energy and balance. Picture walking a tight-rope up to your waist in rushing water pulling at you.
::
Smeared with mud, covered with dust, smiling.
Using no supernatural power
You bring the withered trees to bloom.”
Kuoan
From Essential Zen, edited by Kazuaki Tanahashi & Tensho David Schneider
We are all right! So beautiful!
Isn't this from within the context of the Ten Ox-Herding Pictures; the Tenth, if memory serve?
I think so.
Yes. :O)
in friendliness,
V.
Love ya'll,
Bobby
The middle path is not being biased, and seeing things from all sides. This will generally lead ppl to eat healthlier and sleep better as this improves life but its not the path itself.
I would say that it also means a mindful engagement in all activity of thought, word & deed, rather than indulgence (which is heedlessness). Mindfully engaging (especially in regard to the 4NT) in all activities generally leads one away from extremes, as the payoff for indulging in pleasure or austerities is rendered unsatisfactory in doing so. Pleasures have their utility, but come with many negative side effects & so eventually they lose their intoxicating effects. Austerities have their utility but they cannot achieve the goal of ending suffering.
In other words, take your mind off of auto-pilot (any habitual state), and do things consciously.
_/\_
metta
Perhaps it is quite natural once the effluents are removed?
Water is quite naturally water. Mind is quite naturally awake & pure. But water easily takes on the qualities of other things (salt, sugar, dirt, etc.) just as mind easily takes on the afflicted qualities of the khandas.
_/\_
metta
I was reading through this & I thought it fit well into this discussion. Hope you find something helpful in it.
_/\_
metta
To me, eating is a big part of the middle path. And maybe I have this wrong, but here is why I say that.....
I know a lot of people that are vegan and that completely runs their life and they insult others who are not vegan, which causes suffering to all parties invloved! I am a very healthy eater, but I try not to let it run my life (I eat Ben and Jerry's when I feel like it, wihtout over indulging!), nor do I try to insult or judge others who are not as healthy. So to me, following the middle path includes every single aspect of my life.
Or do I just have it all wrong??
Or to put it another way...
"All things in Moderation - including Moderation.....!" :tongue2: