How to remember the Noble Eightfold Path

To remember The Noble Eightfold Path, think of it as a journey on a ship with you as the captain, because you have the steering wheel:

Remember the eightfold steering wheel

The first thing you do on the journey is look out – take in the view on the right side of the ship (right view) . . .

Remember the first step on the eightfold path is right view

. . . and the first things you see are Native Americans in a tent (intention).

Remember the second step on the eightfold path is right intentions

So the captain of the ship shouts out to her women (right speech).

Remember the third step on the eightfold path is right speech

All the ship’s women come running up the stairs from below – they step into action (right action).

Remember the fourth step on the eightfold path is right actions

The crew get into line on the deck, all holding their livelihood (right livelihood) under their arms. The chef holds a big wooden spoon, the cannon cleaner holds a cloth, etc.

Remember the fifth step on the eightfold path is right livelihood

The captain wants them to make the effort (right effort) to drop the sail. It takes all of them a lot of effort to get the sail down.

Remember the sixth step on the eightfold path is right effort

Now the captain wants them to go ashore but she wants them all to be in the right frame of mind (right mindfulness) before they do.

Remember the seventh step on the eightfold path is right mindfulness

So they all sit in a meditation position and concentrate (right concentration).

Remember the eighth step on the eightfold path is right concentration