The three step method

Let me explain in detail what the "three step method" is all about.

Of course, when the Guatama Buddha was alive he said this in a different way. He talked about the "Middle Path". I think most of you know that he lived on what is now known as the Indian subcontinent. In the olden days it was called "Mijima Desa" or in English "the middle region".

He called his path the "Mijima Padipada". Literally it means "the middle path".

Now why is it called "the middle path". Buddha said that we need to avoid the two extremes and follow the middle path.

One extreme was self mortification and following extreme austerities. Torturing one's body or not eating enough or not sleeping enough. Buddha followed this extreme path for six years and he became a living skeleton. It did not get him anywhere. In the end he left this path.

The other extreme was the path of seeking excessive sensual pleasures. What is known as "the way of the world". When we become too attached to the sensual pleasures that human existence offers, we lose our balance and become unable to concentrate and get any knowledge or wisdom.

The fist step is what I will call "conduct".

By conduct I do not mean that you need to live like a saint. We are not saints, we all know that. But of course that does not mean that saints do not exist. They may be doing meditation deep in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas. Who knows?

The "conduct" that I am talking about is the basic concept of living as a good person.

- not to kill
- not to steal
- not to tell lies
- not to take drugs and intoxicating drinks
- not to engage in sexual misconduct.

Well, you might ask me, "what if I don't follow the above rules".

All I can say is that it is necessary to follow these simple rules if you wish to walk the path of "spiritual development".

Of course you can choose another path. That is your choice.

Life is full of choices anyway. Right.

What you choose to do or not do will determine your future. That much I can tell you and I think you will agree with me on that point.