Page 14 - The Buddha‘s Noble Eightfold Path

the truth by means of the intellect. They try to plumb the
depths of being with reason and logic. This is the way of the

thinker, the philosopher, the sage. Some people actually think
their way through to Reality, to the Path of Vision.

For others it may arise in quite a different way, as a result of
the practice of meditation. When the mind has been

systematically stilled, and when, though thoughts have been
banished, clear consciousness still persists, then under these
conditions also, Perfect Vision may arise.

Sometimes it may arise for those who are engaged in, and even

while they are actually in the midst of altruistic activities such
as nursing the sick and looking after the old — those who,
sacrificing themselves and their personal interests, are

completely selfless on the plane of work and activity. For them
too, even though they may not know it in the ordinary sense of

the term, the Path of Vision may arise.

Finally, it may arise, for some people at least, out of their whole

experience of life — especially as they grow older and, it is to
be hoped, more mature. When all the different threads

seemingly come together, and the pattern of their lives begins
to make some kind of sense, to reflect some glimmer of
meaning, then, out of the depths of their simple human

maturity, Perfect Vision may arise. I am not suggesting that
wisdom comes automatically with age. Far from it! If such were

the case we need not take the trouble to acquire wisdom when
young. But certainly for those who have led a truly human life,
for them, as they mellow and perhaps sweeten a little and as

their experience clarifies, the Path of Vision may sometimes
arise.

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