Friends,
In Advayavada Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is interpreted dynamically as an ongoing and autonomous, non-prescriptive, investigative and creative process of progressive insight reflecting in human terms overall existence advancing over time.
The Noble Eightfold Path in Advayavada Buddhism is fully personalized: it is firmly based on what we increasingly know about ourselves and our world, and trusting our own intentions, feelings and conscience.
Adherence to the familiar Five Precepts (not to kill, not to steal, sexual restraint, not to lie, and refraining from alcohol and drugs) and a well-considered understanding of the Four Signs of Being and the Buddha's Four Noble Truths, as explained in this recurring plan, suffice to start off on the Path at any time.
Nirvana means, in Advayavada Buddhism, the total extinction of existential suffering (duhkha, dukkha) by becoming one with the overall process of change and progress beyond the atavistic constraints of the failing societies surrounding us everywhere.
The Path or Middle Way we follow to this end is (1) that of our very best (samyak, samma) comprehension or insight followed by (2) our very best resolution or determination, (3) our very best enunciation or definition of our intention, (4) our very best disposition or attitude, (5) our very best implementation or realization, (6) our very best effort or commitment, (7) our very best observation, reflection or evaluation and self-correction, and (8) our very best meditation or concentration towards an increasingly real experience of samadhi, which brings us to (1) a yet better comprehension or insight, and so forth.
By following the Noble Eightfold Path in this way you get in tune with wondrous overall existence; old mistakes are left behind; sorrow, doubt and remorse immediately start disappearing; and your life at once gathers new and unfettered impetus.
(week 17) Last week’s ASP subjects were the Second and the Third Noble Truths of Buddhism, which are the immediate cause of suffering, which is craving, grasping, clinging and attachment (= trishna, tanha), and the need and indeed possibility of its elimination (= nirodha) by means of Noble Eightfold Path.
(week 18) This week’s ASP subjects are the Fourth Noble Truth, i.e. the Noble Eightfold Path to eliminate ignorance and craving, and the Fourth Sign of Being (fact of life), i.e. Progress, the overall process of change and progress we now again adhere to by following that Path.
(week 19) Next week’s ASP subject will again be the important First Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) comprehension of or insight into our own life at the present moment in time - in other words, what is, very honestly, my personal situation right now?
The purpose of this Advayavada Study Plan is that we study (and debate in the group, family circle and/or with good friends) the meaning and implications of the recurring weekly subject, in the context of whatever we ourselves are presently doing or are concerned with, or about, such as our health, relationships, work, study, and our place and responsibilities in the family, group, sangha, society at large, etc.
Tip: Write down this week's subject ("the 8fold Path and Progress.”) in your pocket diary!
John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm#plan
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