The eight fold path goes hand in hand with the four noble truths in order to help direct people towards the path of Nirvana. It has eight 'Right' ways designed to put people on the 'Right' path :).
Each of the eight fold paths connect with each other and are not so much steps as they are principles that are all intertwined. The first two are wisdom, the next three are ethical conduct, and the last three fall under mental development.
The 'Right's of Wisdom are the ones that really stuck out to me. I believe that it is really important to have the Right Views and Right Intentions. What they said in the eightfold path about the Right View is true; our view of the world is important. Our actions reflect how we see the world just as much as what we see often dictates what we do. Even a blind man has a view of the world, but for him it's more of a mental image. Having the right view has nothing to do with how intelligent you are but more so about how much you see. Do only see what's on the surface or can you see what's underneath. People aren't the only ones who keep things about themselves hidden from the rest of the world. To truly understand things you must take the time to really look at them and not just grant them a passing glance. When you do that you may miss something important. Having the Right View also means that you need to have an understanding of Karma (what you give is what you get returned). In your view of the world you must also notice that what goes around comes around and that Karma does play an active role in the universe. I personally have a strong belief in Karma, sometimes it may seem like time has gone on for too long for justice to be served but I am a firm believer that it will be served in time. That is why i do not feel the need to judge others they will pass judgment eventually.
Having the Right Intention, which is the other Right of Wisdom, goes along with having the right view. This is because our intentions are also ruled by our views, actions, and karma. The right intentions leads us towards self improvement, mentally and ethically. But with the intention to do good, harm can normally be found in its wake. There is a saying that goes along with this that states "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." This is true but it still doesn't change the fact that the intentions were noble, something just went wrong with the execution. The eightfold path wants us to resist anger and desire. Instead following those it wants us to instead lean towards intentions of harmlessness and develop compassion. Intentions must be thought of and executed with great care however, because many things can go wrong.
The 'Right's of Wisdom are the ones that really stuck out to me. I believe that it is really important to have the Right Views and Right Intentions. What they said in the eightfold path about the Right View is true; our view of the world is important. Our actions reflect how we see the world just as much as what we see often dictates what we do. Even a blind man has a view of the world, but for him it's more of a mental image. Having the right view has nothing to do with how intelligent you are but more so about how much you see. Do only see what's on the surface or can you see what's underneath. People aren't the only ones who keep things about themselves hidden from the rest of the world. To truly understand things you must take the time to really look at them and not just grant them a passing glance. When you do that you may miss something important. Having the Right View also means that you need to have an understanding of Karma (what you give is what you get returned). In your view of the world you must also notice that what goes around comes around and that Karma does play an active role in the universe. I personally have a strong belief in Karma, sometimes it may seem like time has gone on for too long for justice to be served but I am a firm believer that it will be served in time. That is why i do not feel the need to judge others they will pass judgment eventually.
Having the Right Intention, which is the other Right of Wisdom, goes along with having the right view. This is because our intentions are also ruled by our views, actions, and karma. The right intentions leads us towards self improvement, mentally and ethically. But with the intention to do good, harm can normally be found in its wake. There is a saying that goes along with this that states "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." This is true but it still doesn't change the fact that the intentions were noble, something just went wrong with the execution. The eightfold path wants us to resist anger and desire. Instead following those it wants us to instead lean towards intentions of harmlessness and develop compassion. Intentions must be thought of and executed with great care however, because many things can go wrong.
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