Hiking on the Eightfold Path

Abstract

The Buddha has been compared to a physician offering a prescription called the eightfold path, an integrated set of practical steps towards living a wise, ethical and happy life. The eightfold path may also be understood as a kind of relationship counselling on how to relate to ourselves, to others and the world. The eight practices have much to offer health care practitioners. These eight practices or steps are: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. In this chapter, the focus is on two beneficial practices, namely skilful intention and skilful speech using narrative examples drawn from personal and professional experiences and applied practical research.