Unit 3: Right Effort, Mindfulness, and Concentration

One of the principal teachings of the Buddha.

In the Noble Eightfold Path, the last three elements—Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration—are collectively known as the concentration division. They are the practices that refine the mind and bring about wisdom and enlightenment.

Right Effort

Right Effort, also known as Right Diligence, is the energetic will to prevent unwholesome states of mind from arising, and to get rid of such unwholesome states that have already arisen within us. It also involves the effort to arouse wholesome states of mind, and to maintain and perfect the wholesome states already present.

There are four great efforts that a Buddhist should cultivate:

1. The effort to prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states.
2. The effort to abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen.
3. The effort to arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen.
4. The effort to maintain and perfect wholesome states already arisen.

Right Mindfulness

Right Mindfulness, or Right Awareness, involves being fully aware of our actions, feelings, and thoughts, and keeping them in the right frame. It is the clear and single-minded awareness of what actually happens to us and in us, at the successive moments of perception.

The Buddha has specifically prescribed mindfulness of four areas for cultivation:

1. Mindfulness of the body (kaya)
2. Mindfulness of feelings or sensations (vedana)
3. Mindfulness of mind or consciousness (citta)
4. Mindfulness of Dhammas (mental objects)

Right Concentration

Right Concentration, or Right Meditation, is the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness, although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration. Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object.

Right Concentration for the purpose of the Eightfold Path means wholesome concentration, i.e., concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions. The Buddhist method of choice to develop right concentration is through the practice of meditation. The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies concentration step by step. Through this practice, it becomes natural to apply elevated levels concentration also in everyday situations.

In conclusion, Right Effort, Mindfulness, and Concentration work together to create a balanced spiritual practice. Right Effort provides the energy, Right Mindfulness directs the energy, and Right Concentration focuses the energy. Together, they help to cultivate a mind that is capable of seeing things as they truly are, leading to wisdom and enlightenment.