Method to Change for Better
5April 19, 2011 by styagi68
This insight was gathered from a discussion with by Pandit Bhikkhu, a buddhist monk living in Bangkok.
Every action has its root in thought.
Every thought has its root in intent.
Intent has its root in our Self.
Every action can be traced back to our Self, and Self is one. So which Self is changing and which is making the change. If “I” decide that “I” will wake up every morning at 6 am to exercise for an hour. Than there are two “I”s in the sentence. However, these two “I”s are equally powerful. Here the analogy used is that of Hector and Achilles–two perfectly matched warriors who could not defeat each other, no matter how much they fought. Same will be the case between a Self that is trying to change the Self. In the end, Achilles gets killed by an arrow aimed at his heel, which was his only vulnerable part.
In the struggle between the current Self and the Self that wants to change, the Achilles heel of the current Self is the path of realization. Realization that waking up at 6 am is beneficial to me. Realization that is deep inside the Self, not just at the surface. We often hear people who have gone through a major illness, like heart attack, say, “It was like a wake up call. I now have to take care of my body.” And they do. They eat better. They exercise and become healthier. What changed? Nothing except the realization went to a deeper level. When it reaches beyond the action, it reaches the thought level. When it reaches beyond the thought, it reaches the intent.
So the path to make change in our life is to follow the path of realization. Realize and become aware of what you truly want. What you truly want to change deep down. Realize on why that is important to you. Only then consistency in your intent, thought and actions make a permanent change. This is where becoming more mindful of your actions, thoughts and intent is helpful. If your thoughts crave a pizza, the hand will eventually dial the phone to order home delivery!
Analytical Faith 
This leaves one of my basic question unanswered. We all know emotions (intent/thought) have a control over actions. But, can’t they be morphed for better by actions?
And in the 2nd last paragraph, I think instead of ‘When it reaches beyond the action, it reaches the thought level. When it reaches beyond the thought, it reaches the intent.’ the example suggested ‘When it reaches beyond the intent, it reaches the thought level. When it reaches beyond the thought, it reaches the action.’. Because you thought of the benefits first and started getting up early after being convinced by those benefits.
I’d like to be corrected if I misinterpreted anything.
Dear Vishal
Thoughts and intent may be impacted by actions. However the source remains a realization at a deeper level. I think the way it works is that thoughts precede actions. And intent precedes thought. Let us say that your wife tells you to brush your teeth everyday. Initially your intent and thought will be to please your wife. Which results in action of eating healthy. But it is very possible that when wife is not around you indulged in that big burger with extra mayo and a chilled glass of beer. This will be the pattern till one day while eating healthy you “realize” that it is good for you. Then the action has successfully resulted in a changed thought and intent.
So sometimes when external forces compel us our realization goes deeper from external(action) to internal (intent). However, in all cases action always comes from thought and intent.
Sandeep
When you say somebody realizes the importance of being fit after say a heart-attack. Such realization is not really “self-realization” as I would say its more fear driven. Fear which emanates from dear attachment or aversion to an object. Fear driven actions may be good, but not completely self realized. Perhaps self realization is more to realize what the self is…
Every action has its root in thought.
Every thought has its root in intent.
Intent has its root in desires..
Desires has its root in conditioning..
Conditioned self is not the real self…
Dear Ankit,
So true. Being afraid is not the same as being self realized.
In this example, though I was simply trying to illustrate how our ability to change our behavior (not eating unhealthy) has a higher chance of success when we deeply internalize the desire to not eat unhealthy (for whatever reason, fear or desire for healthy living). If we simply say we want to eat healthy but don’t “feel” it inside us, we will likely reach out for the extra piece of pizza when the opportunity presents itself. When the “feel” goes deeper then we would resist it even if no one was looking!
Sandeep
Hi Sandeep
Really enjoyed reading your blog. Always a breath of fresh air with topics and ideas that would interest me.
Hope to see read some material on this space soon.
Take care.
Ankit