Right Understanding. One way to illustrate this is the moment-to-moment practice. For instance, we use awareness to know the hindrance, we investigate, using the investigating quality of the mind, we see how it manifests in the body so we can get to Right Understanding, the understanding of Cause and Effect. This is Right Understanding. Understanding the Law of Cause and Effect. Understanding that from every action, speech and thought there arises a result. We examine the results of our thoughts as they manifest in us, we start to examine that Dukkha arises from ignorance. We start to see the nature of this thought and the results of feeding it. This gives us insight into the first two Noble Truths, Dukkha and the true cause of it, ignorance. As we gain insight into this we can feel compassion for ourselves, which can develop Right Intention. Compassion, or Right Intention are thoughts directed towards harmlessness to ourselves and others. As we step onto the second factor of the Noble Eightfold Path, Right Thought or Intention, we can let go of wrong thoughts as Compassion for Dukkha transforms it and this leads us to the 3rd and the 4th Noble Truth.
In this process, we gain insight into the Four Noble Truths, the Law of Cause and Effect thus building more Right Understanding. Understanding the Four Noble truths and the Law of Cause and Effect is the basis of Right Understanding.
We have to begin this process somewhere, so we start with the Buddha's Right Understanding. We use our intellectual Right Understanding to know how to apply the Buddha's teachings to then come to some experiential understanding within ourselves and to develop compassion for ourselves. As we understand this experientially within ourselves, then we can use contemplative reflective types of meditation to gain more insight.
For example, we use the Compassion/Lovingkindness meditation to reflect on Dukkha of the other person. It transforms our view of that person, which allows compassion to arise. The first and second Noble Truths act as a pair. The first Noble Truth sees the Dukkha. The second Noble Truth sees the cause of Dukkha by examining it on a moment-to moment level. It is very difficult to really develop compassion for others unless we have insight into the cause of suffering within ourselves.
This understanding brings the capacity to open to Dukkha on a deeper level, having compassion for Dukkha allows the fading away of it. The Compassion/Lovingkindness meditation allows us to see and develop insight into the Four Noble Truths and the Law of Cause and Effect. The Five Reflections also increase our capacity to contemplate the truth, bringing more Right Understanding which transforms our intention, which transforms our speech, actions, etc.