Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration

The Right Effort [sammā-vāyāma] is “generating desire for non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates a desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states ... He generates a desire for the arising of unarisen wholesome states ... He generates a desire for the maintenance of arisen wholesome states, for their non-decay, increase, expansion, and fulfillment by development; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives.” (S45:8) Therefore, discerning the wholesome dhamma that leads to deliverance·Nibbāna from unwholesome dhamma precedes the right effort.

The Right Mindfulness [sammā-sati] is “dwelling, contemplating the body in the body … contemplating feelings in feelings …contemplating mind in mind … contemplating mental objects in mental objects … One must be ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful, having removed lust and hatred in regard to the world.” (S45:8) The right mindfulness is the concrete practice technique presented by the noble eightfold path. The Buddha expounds further, saying one must deconstruct the being, ‘I’ as body, feeling, mind, and mental objects, focus on one of these objects, and know and see clearly the impermanence·suffering·non-self.

The Right Concentration [sammā-samādhi] means entering and dwelling in the first, second, third, and fourth Jhāna. (S45:8) Having overcome the five hindrances [sensual desire, ill will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, and doubt] and by practicing the right concentration, one attains the four Jhānas, progressively experiencing the rapture-happiness-tranquility-equanimity.

(Introduction to Early Buddhism, P134~135, Bhikkhu Kakmuk)