Q&A: The Noble Eightfold Path, Intentions, and Mindfulness

The Inquiry

A practitioner recently reached out to share their current state of practice and express some deep confusion regarding the relationship between cultivating awareness and actively following the spiritual path. They questioned whether simply maintaining a state of awareness throughout the day naturally leads to embodying all aspects of the path, or if one must consciously and actively align with it. Specifically, they described their morning routine of setting deliberate mental intentions—such as resolving to speak kindly and view all beings with eyes of compassion—and wondered if this active formulation is the right approach. Alternatively, they asked if they should merely wake up, remember to be aware, and carry that mindful state throughout the day, trusting that it will organically result in path-aligned behavior. Feeling quite confused about how these elements intertwine, they sought clarification on the role of mindfulness versus conscious intention, and whether maintaining basic awareness is sufficient for realization and walking the path.

My Response

Hi [Name],

Thank you for reaching out. Your question makes perfect sense, and it is a very common point of confusion for many practitioners.

To clarify, the path you are referring to is the Noble Eightfold Path. Being aware—or cultivating mindfulness—is a crucial aspect of it, but it is ultimately just one part of the path (Right Mindfulness). Setting conscious intentions in the morning, such as deciding to speak kindly and act with compassion, is also deeply necessary. The two support each other; intention guides your actions, while awareness helps you catch yourself when you deviate from them.

To give you a complete picture, the Noble Eightfold Path consists of:

1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration

Just maintaining basic mindfulness throughout the day is usually not enough on its own to lead to awakening. Alongside mindfulness, you can try practices like inquiry or self-enquiry, which are often what actually trigger realization. I highly recommend reading through our practice guide, which goes into detail on how to approach this:
The Awakening to Reality Practice Guide: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/06/the-awakening-to-reality-practice-guide.html

Because these practices can be nuanced and confusing to navigate alone, it is highly advisable to find an awakened spiritual teacher. A teacher can point out your blind spots and guide you directly. You can read more about that here:
Finding an Awakened Spiritual Teacher: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/01/finding-awakened-spiritual-teacher-and.html

I am quite busy at the moment, so I unfortunately won't be able to guide you personally. However, if you let me know which city you live in, I can see if I know any authentic teachers in your area that I can point you toward.

Also, before I forget to ask—have you had a chance to read this "must-read" article on the AtR blog yet? It is foundational to understanding how this unfolds:
Thusness/PasserBy's Seven Stages of Enlightenment: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2007/03/thusnesss-six-stages-of-experience.html

I'll leave you with a quote below that might help clarify something about the path and realization.

Best regards,
Soh

John Tan wrote to a forummer in 2009:

"As a start, it is almost impossible not to feel dualistic. An observer observing the observed is our ordinary experience, and it will appear that this is an experiential fact. Therefore, we should not rush into anything but simply recognize the ‘cause’. The cause that made us see in such a way is termed ‘ignorance’. Try to understand ‘ignorance’ not as not knowing, but as a form of knowing instead. See it as a very deep form of ‘dualistic knowing’ that we have taken to be the truth. We then proceed to overcome this wrong view in two steps: first, by strongly and firmly establishing the right view to replace our existing ‘dualistic and inherent view’, and second, by practicing seeing in bare attention to lessen the grip of views. Practice bare attention in bodily sensations until there is a very strong, clear mirror feeling in bodily sensation. Then, with the right view, the non-dual will dawn. Without the right view, it will most likely turn into a mirror reflecting phenomenal experience.

Practices can take decades and are often quite frustrating and challenging during the journey. But have faith, be patient, and have confidence; all effort will prove worthwhile eventually.

A simple summary I use to help my practice:

When there is simply a pure sense of existence;
When awareness appears mirror-like;
When sensations become pristine, clear, and bright;
This is Luminosity.

When all arisings appear disconnected;
When appearances spring without a center;
When phenomena appear to be on their own without a controller;
This is No Doer-ship.

When the subject/object division is seen as an illusion;
When there is clarity that no one is behind thoughts;
When there is only scenery, sounds, thoughts, and so forth;
This is Anatta.

When phenomena appear pristinely crystal-clear;
When there is merely one seamless experience;
When all is seen as presence;
This is Non-dual Presence.

When we feel fully the unfindability and unlocatability of phenomena;
When all experiences are seen as ungraspable;
When all mind boundaries of in/out, there/here, now/then dissolve;
This is Emptiness.

When the interconnectedness of everything is wholly felt;
When arising appears great, effortless, and wonderful;
When presence feels universal;
This is Maha.

When arising is not caged in who, where, and when;
When all phenomena appear spontaneous and effortless;
When everything appears right everywhere and everywhen;
This is Spontaneous Perfection.

Seeing these as the ground of all experiences;
Always and already so;
This is Wisdom.

Experiencing the ground in whatever arises;
This is Practice.
Happy journey."

- John Tan