WARRIOR SPIRIT CIRCLE Right Thinking is the speech of the mind. With Right Thinking we can be clear in what we say. And Right Thinking is needed to have Right Action. The practice of Right Thinking is meant to be applied to one’s attitudes and approaches to life. With right thinking we are counselled to focus on the present moment. To keep our focus and intentions clear so we may create our life of our choosing.  “Like a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, so the wise are not moved by praise or blame.” - Buddha As martial artists we learn through our training to meet challenges with an open mind, controlled emotions, and grounded with our strategies, skills, and moral code.  Whether a situation unfolds in our favour or not, we are not shaken. I recall years ago I applied for a senior role at the wholesale bank where I worked, it was between myself and an external veteran candidate. Prior to their decision I prepared myself to accept the outcome whatever it may be in the same manner, and when they brought me in to advise they went with the external candidate I held my stance, unshaken by the news. With grace, and right mindedness I thanked them for the process and within a month I was pursuing a new career opportunity.  Being conscious in our words and actions are interrelated, it is important to recognize you must be present in both mind and body. If your thoughts are in one place but your body is in another, you are not present nor unified. Conscious breathing is key to centre and bring yourself back to the present moment in union so your thinking can be aligned with Right View and you may be congruent in your actions.  The Buddha’s teachings suggests four practices related to Right Thinking*:
  1. Ask yourself “Are you sure?” If there is a rope on your path and you perceive it as a snake, fear-based thinking will follow. The more erroneous your perception the more incorrect your thinking will be. Wrong perceptions cause incorrect thinking and unnecessary suffering. 
  2. Then ask yourself “What am I doing?” This helps release your thinking from the past or the future and return to the present moment. Asking yourself this also will help you overcome the habit of wanting to complete things quickly. If your thoughts are carrying you away, you need mindfulness to intervene.
  3. “Hello, habit energy” - Our way of acting depends on our way of thinking, and our way of thinking depends on our habit energies. When we recognize this, we make good friends with our habitual patterns of thinking and acting. When we accept these ingrain thoughts and not feel guilty about them, they will lose much of their power over us. Right thinking leads to right action.
  4. Bodhichitta - Our “Mind of Love” is the deep wish to cultivate understanding in ourselves in order to bring happiness to many beings. It is the motivating force for the practice of mindful living. With Bodhichitta at the foundation of our thinking, everything we do or say with help others be liberated. Right Thinking also gives rise to Right Diligence. 
Right Thinking is thinking that is in accord with Right View. When you practice Right View and Right Thinking, you dwell deeply in the present moment, where you can touch seeds of joy, peace, and liberation, heal and transform your suffering, and truly be present for many others. Sources:  * “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching”, Thich Nhat Hanh “Yakusoku Kumite: Volume 1” Sensei Williams & Kenney By Kohai Dianne Hadad 3rd Degree Black Belt, Renge Dojo Certified Professional Coach, Warrior Spirit Circle 647-203-4882 |  dianne.hadad@gmail.com The WARRIOR SPIRIT CIRCLE creates conversations for kids, parents and martial artists to discover their true self and embody their warrior spirit. Our mission is to share the practical wisdom from the classical martial arts virtues and philosophies to inspirit resiliency, confidence and vibrancy.