Magic Tree

January 21, 2011

The Buddha’s Eight Fold Path appears to be a guide toward ascension into the finer levels of spiritual awareness.  What can you tell me of the next fold in the practice of union – Right Livelihood?

January 23, 2011

The next two folds of the Eight Fold Path are Right Livelihood and Right Speech.  These re-present, if you will, the first two folds (Right Action and Right View) but at a higher turn of the spiral.

We have recognized the Five Orientations as a description of Right View. The third fold, Right Livelihood, might be described as placing oneself in the right position where one may best be able to be poised for the entertaining the outlooks represented in the Five Orientations  (Right View) and also those represented by the Five Dispositions  (Right Action).

The Five Dispositions being recognized as representing Right Action (the first fold) relate at another level to the forth fold or that of Right Speech.  Consider Right Speech as having to do with the control of energy or prana as it flows through your apparatus or form (your physical, emotional and mental bodies).  Such control leads to a greater capacity for fulfilling the first fold, the Five Dispositions which in turn lend greater impetus toward Right View, the second fold, the Five Orientations.

So, one begins the spiritual path with an attempt to make his path straight by disposing himself to right relationship with his fellow man through right action and orienting himself to right relationship with God through correcting his understanding or view of what his relationship to God is, and how to improve that relationship, or his understanding and awareness of that relationship.  As said earlier this is prerequisite to further progress.  This is not to say, however, that a simultaneous effort is not to be made at positioning oneself for a better disposal (Right Livelihood) to the Five Dispositions and also seeking an increased capacity for correct orientation or view in one’s relationship to God (I Am, your true Self) through the control of one’s speech or flow of energy through the systems of manifestation known as our bodies (Right Speech).  In fact, Right Livelihood is represented in the second fold of Right View by Orientation 5. Devotion to I Am, The Love in everything, as you will see in My upcoming elucidation.  Furthermore, the seed of  Right Speech is found in Disposition 2. Truth and Beauty to all Beings. Not much progress, therefore,  may be made with the first two folds without attention to these second two folds of the Eight Fold Path.