The Eightfold Path in Meditation : หน้า 74/164

"Through meditation, we learn that we need to follow the eightfold path in order to meditate more profoundly and to continually improve. Every part of this path supports the other. For example, Right View supports thought, mindfulness, and effort. Right thought supports, mindfulness, effort, and view. And so on and so on. Each path supports the others in the wheel. And it will all support better meditation. But a person cannot go out drinking, smoking, and behaving poorly just because they meditate. Even better, following the precepts will lead people to better meditation. "So, it is your job in the projects that you are building, to teach the eightfold path and the meditation technique through helping people understand how habits are developed: and that, of course, is through the teachings of the Five Rooms and the Six Directions. Every part of the eightfold path has to do with these two teachings. But it all starts with the Right View. And that means that every one of you have to have the Right View as well." With that, he sits back, looks at the monks with narrow eyes and a partial smile, and straightens up his paperwork. There are no questions. Everyone pays their respects to him as he gets up and leaves the room. It is always confusing for me because I, as a woman, have to get on my knees and bow three times to Luang Por and the other monks, whereas the monks simply stand up as he is leaving… so, on occasion, there is some awkwardness. But I just do my thing, and then carefully back up and step away from the monks, being careful not to touch them or their robes.