“Right Effort” with Jane this Sunday at Minneapolis Insight

Dear Community,

This Sunday, please join us in our continued exploration of the Eightfold Path as we consider the path’s sixth factor, Right (or Wise) Effort. Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration are the three concentration or samadhi factors and are the final three factors of the Eightfold Path. These factors offer us direction and support as we work with the mind, letting go of harmful habit patterns and developing skillfulness that leads to liberation.

Gregory Kramer, in his book A Whole-Life Path: A Lay Buddhist’s Guide to Crafting a Dhamma-Infused Life, describes Right Effort in this way: “(Our path is) activated by right effort, diminishing what leads to your suffering and that of others and actively increasing what leads to your and others’ well-being… Right effort is the energy driving the entire wholesome cycle of interest, discovery, practices, and life changes. It is vitality directed in service of ease, compassion, and awakening… With right effort and the remaining two other path factors of mindfulness and concentration, we deal with the direct training of the mind… (Right effort is) a sense of activity and energy that is essential if the path is to be more than just theoretical. (It) energizes all of the path factors and helps us bridge the gap between aspiring to and actually living this challenging path of relinquishment and care.”

Gregory is very clear about the centrality of Right Effort to our dharma practice, although for many of us it can be challenging to discern: How and when is my effort actually skillful? And how do I stay alert to when it is influenced by striving or the ego’s need for attainment, recognition, or pleasant experiences?

Please join us this Sunday as we explore together the questions that arise for you as you contemplate Right Effort. What does Right Effort feel like for you, and are there ways that you can get “caught” or sidetracked in your efforts?

All are welcome. Zoom information available here.

With mettā,
Minneapolis Insight