In my previous post, The Four States of Mind, you’ll find the following quote from Tony Hsieh, founder of Zappos: “Notice when flow happens and change your life to make it happen more.”
If you haven’t heard this before, you might think that Tony Hsieh had an original thought.
Buddha in Plum Village
Photo Jerome Freedman
The Buddha taught the same thing. Do you recall reading Foundations Of Buddhist Thought – The Eightfold Path? In there is a teaching on right diligence or as others call it, right effort.
Right diligence is present when we are in the state of flow and recognize what is conducive to remaining on the path to liberation described by the Buddha. Obviously, maintaining the state of flow must be effortless effort. The more we push ourselves to be in flow, the less likely it will happen.
To get in the state of flow, we have to be happy in the present moment and at the same time, have a vision for how our life will evolve. The Buddhist vision is enlightenment.
Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh tells us that we have everything we need to be happy in the present moment. We have the earth, the sky, the sun, the moon, and beauty of our planet. We share this with all sentient being.
Echoing the Buddha, Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us that right diligence involves recognizing and acting on these four states of mind:
- When wholesome states of mind arise or have arisen, cultivate, enhance, and nourish them so they stay present.
- When wholesome states of mind have not yet arisen, encourage them to arise and be present.
- When unwholesome states arise, notice them and cause them to go away.
- Prevent unwholesome states from arising if they have not yet arisen.
So, 2600 years ago, the Buddha taught that right effort involves maintaining wholesome states of mind which are currently present. We want to notice when wholesome states of mind happen and change our lives to make them happen more.
The Buddha taught that meditation can help promote wholesome states of mind. In the previous post, Vishen Lakhiani, founder of Mindvalley, stated in the video how he meditated daily and that this practice helped him to cultivate flow.
How will you achieve and maintain wholesome states of mind in your life?
| Which Will It Be? | |
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Stress Relief Guided Meditation |
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Achieve Goals Guided Meditation |
| Silva Life System | |
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