Harmonizing Our Actions in the World

Sila (integrity or ethical conduct) helps us to not get lost in the confusion of our desire systems. We want happiness and yet, out of ignorance, we persist in the very actions that prolong suffering. The second limb of the ethical group on the Eightfold Path is Wise Action. It includes practicing restraint from 1) harming sentient beings 2) taking what is not offered, 3) sexual misconduct and 4) ingesting intoxicants that blur the mind and promote heedlessness. We understand that our actions are nurtured by the mind/heart: mind states, perspectives and attitudes seed our behavior. Wise Action is a guideline for harmonizing our actions in the world. Such wise action springs from reflecting upon kamma (action) and its consequences and working with restraint in the mind—seeing it is possible to say no to certain impulses, living with contentment and simplicity so that we minimize the exploitation of others and our planet for our own survival.

To support this, we live simply and with integrity through the cultivation of generosity, love, compassion and service. Then wise action flows naturally. From wise action comes wisdom in the mind, greater love in the heart and consequently, deeper happiness. And acting harmoniously and with care for life around us flows. We practice harmonizing our actions with our deepest values of care for fellow human beings and our precious environment. If we are engaged in actions that cause pain and conflict to ourselves and others, it is impossible for the mind to become settled, collected and focused in meditation and impossible for the heart to open. To a mind that is grounded in integrity–unselfishness, non harming and care– wisdom and its consequent actions naturally develop. Wisdom produces wise action and wise action supports deeper wisdom.