Perceptions+and+Right+Thought;+Affirmations

=**Title: Perceptions and Right Thoughts; Affirmations**=

Objective:
The students will be able to
 * give a definition of right thought
 * give one example of how perceptions affects our thoughts
 * create an affirmation

Materials:

 * {Materials needed for the lesson; written materials uploaded as links here}

Preparation:

 * Prepare
 * a blank sheet of color
 * a highly evocative word (written down for yourself)
 * something smelly on a paper towel in a plastic bag
 * something to touch in a closed bag/container so the students cannot see it

Method:
Today's topic: 2nd in the 8 fold path: Right Thought
 * 1) Review what Right View is
 * 2) Hand out Perceptions and Thought worksheet. Present each item prepared above and have the students write down what comes into their minds as they preceive the item.
 * 3) Have students share what they felt. Make sure everyone shares. Show/tell what each item evoked for you and what the items were.
 * 4) Presentation Handout

What does this mean? Does this mean we have to think "correctly" all the time? Is this even possible?

Example, if you are working on your homework, is it possible to think about the homework every second while doing it?

What it means is to provide discipline/traditions so that your brain does think certain things.

Is this possible? Sure! If you see heart, people think of "love" "valentines", etc. Not of "broken glass". That's because we've trained our minds.

Psychology BREAK!

There is some human nature which IS naturally defensive, but much is also learned behavior.

The human brain is a collection of cells called "neurons" which establishes and recognizes patterns. How do we learn (or unlearn) any activity? By practicing. Well, this is the same for YOUR brain!

By practicing certain thought patterns repeatedly, it is possible (and completely natural) for the brain to think in certain ways. And from the Buddhist standpoint, hence to modify not only our actions, but to make it natural.

Early buddhists understood this at a practical level from their experience from other studies (yoga) and applied it. From this comes the meditative practices of Zen, visualization practices of Tibetan and other Theravadan sects

However, although some control is possible and often enough to enhance one's life, mastery and total (or even near total) control is extremely difficult. Especially one pursues/desires it blindly. (which is Blind Desire). Therefore, from the Buddhist perspective, it is much better to see it for what it is, acknowledge it rather than harbor any thoughts on the "bad" thought. If you do, it'll just fester. Buddha recognized this and Shinran even said that for him, it was impossible.

3. Affirmations

Affirmations are statements that state an certain thought. They train the mind to think in a certain way.

Write down an affirmation. Write down what to visualize/imagine.

Read it to your self.

Relax.

Read affirmation again.

4. Discuss How did this make you feel when you read the affirmations? Can it work?

Evaluation:
Review the topic today. Ask what is an affirmation.

Note:
It would be great if you can assign the homework for the students to read the affirmations that they created in class everyday. And to review the results next week.

Author: Mas Nishimura, nish221@gmail.com, San Jose Buddhist Church Bestuin, 2009
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