Modern Koans – Why Right Effort?

Modern Koans is an ongoing series that recognizes that good questions are often more important then their answers.

The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man. ― G.K. Chesterton

The Eightfold Path Series

This is the one of several posts I will be offering titled the Eightfold Path Series. As I've reflected on my experience, I've come to see the Path as both the practice and the fruition. As we inch closer to realization of our true nature, we discover that the wisdom, ethics, and concentration prescribed in the Buddha are the most natural expression of our being.

John Daido Loori Roshi's book Invoking Reality was transformational for me. In it Roshi turns the path on it's head in a way that uncovers it's challenge to us. The path and the precepts are not rules and regulations that lead to punishment by the karmic cosmos, but a way for us to see our true selves by looking through the prism of these personal dimensions. I see the path  and the precepts as questions, not rules.  Let's explore them.

Why Right Effort?

So much of what is confounding about Buddhism is that with all of the teachings and all of the practices we are always really just uncovering what is already there.  Buddha Nature is described to us as our inherent luminosity, our innate capacity for liberation and so on.   I’ve often wondered, why exert any effort at all?

Openness is letting go of the delusion of control.  Attraction and aversion are the little mechanisms of the mind that interfere with our capacity for Buddhahood.   It seems like our efforts are the only thing between us and Nirvana.

So should right effort mean no effort? Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi offers the following description of Right Effort

To prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states – prevent the manifestation of the five hindrances (sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and worry, and doubt).
To abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen– to let go of the existing hindrances
To arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen – to develop the factors of enlightenment (mindfulness, investigation of phenomena, energy, rapture, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity).
To maintain and perfect wholesome states already arisen – to maintain the factors of enlightenment.

Unfortunately, it seems like we’re not off the hook.  There’s work to do.  But it’s important to note that it’s not the kind of work we normally think of.  We aren’t getting paid, we’re not building a house, or writing a paper.  It’s not the kind of work where we expect some external reward.

What’s different about this kind effort?  What can we expect from it? Should we expect something?  Where do the hindrances come from? Are we born with them?  What have been your pitfalls in engaging right effort?

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

 
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