Ancient Wisdom for Difficult Times: The Sixth Step of the Eightfold Path

Hello wonderful Open Heart Project,

So far, in our conversations about the Noble Eightfold Path, we have explored Right View, seeing clearly; Right Intention, examining our motivations; Right Speech, verifying the honesty of our words; and Right Action, understanding our impact and committing to non-harm; and Right Livelihood, bringing our work and resources into alignment with the path.

Now we move on to the sixth step: Right Effort.

What does it mean to apply effort without strain? To be diligent without pushing or forcing?

Right Effort is not about working harder. Most of us are already doing that. Instead, it invites a steady, caring persistence. A willingness to begin again, to stay engaged, and to not give up on ourselves, on others, or on the world.

This kind of effort is both gentle and strong. It supports what leads to clarity and lets go of what leads to confusion. It keeps us oriented toward what is beneficial, even when it’s not easy.

Please have a listen to this short talk, followed by a guided 10-minute meditation. I would love to hear what you think, and any reflections or questions that arise.

Warmly,
Susan

P.S. I’m covering the Noble Eightfold Path on my podcast. There’s an in-depth talk on Right Livelihood, Episode 48, that you can listen to here (if you want to).

categorized in: dharma, open heart project