If Buddhism has a central philosophy for life it is “Right Attitude”
I always thought that right attitude was simply having enthusiasm for life.
I got my first adult lesson of the true depth of quality right attitude can bring to life on a golf course.
I had became an avid golfer the moment I lobbed a ball a hundred and eighty yards through the air and landed it three feet from the target I was aiming at and sank the putt for my first birdie. Ten years into my golf game, on my home course in Johannesburg, with a couple of near-scratch games to my credit, I watched Gary Player play the same holes the way a world class professional does.
On one of the par four holes he drove into the rough a hundred eighty yards short of the green. Between him and the green a large weeping willow guarded the approach. Its long leafy tendrils trailed on the edge of the green. I had landed in more or less the same place many times myself. From that lie I had never managed to float a ball over the willow and land it anywhere on the green So I was particularly keen to see how Gary played the shot, and said so to an older companion standing beside me.
He chuckled. “Gary is not trying to get the ball on the green. He is trying to get it in the hole.”
I think replace “Right” attitude with a positive attitude and I’ll agree. I see the negative attitude as something that can be used positively, particularly when you see something as negative, the desire to fix it should arrive thus leaving positive outcomes. Seeing every thing as peachy keen leads to acceptance and a lack of improvement.
The Way of the Buddha is the Middle Path
between the extremes of positive and negative
The Steps of the Eightfold Path
1. Right Understanding
To understand the Law of Cause and Effect. (Golden Rule)
2. Right Attitude
Not harboring thoughts of greed and anger.
3. Right Speech
Avoid lying, gossip, harsh speech and tale-telling.
4. Right Action
Not to destroy any life, not to steal or commit adultery.
5. Right Livelihood
Avoiding occupations that bring harm to oneself and others. (Stop trying to gouge a profit out of every deal)
6. Right Effort
Earnestly doing one's best in the right direction.
7. Right Mindfulness
Always being aware and attentive.
8. Right Concentration. (Don't just get the ball on the green. Try harder.)