For the Days of the Week
People must pay attention and care to certain mental processes that they usually perform carelessly and inattentively. There are eight such processes.
It is of course best to do only one exercise at a time, for example for eight or fourteen days, then the second, and so on, then start again from the beginning. Exercise eight, however, is best done daily. In this way, you will gradually achieve true self-knowledge and also see the progress you have made. Later, perhaps starting on Saturday, one exercise can be done daily in addition to the eighth, which takes about five minutes, so that the same exercise falls on the same day each week. So, on Saturdays, the thought exercise; on Sundays, the decisions; on Mondays, the speaking; on Tuesdays, the actions; on Wednesdays, the deeds, etc.
Saturday
Pay attention to your mental images (thoughts). Think only meaningful thoughts. Gradually learn to separate the essential from the nonessential, the eternal from the transitory, truth from mere opinion in your thoughts.
When listening to the speeches of fellow human beings, try to become completely still within yourself and refrain from any agreement, especially any disparaging judgments (criticism, rejection), even in your thoughts and feelings.
This is the so-called
“right opinion.”
Sunday
Only decide on even the most insignificant things after careful consideration. All thoughtless actions and meaningless deeds should be kept away from the soul. One should always have well-considered reasons for everything. And one should absolutely refrain from doing anything for which there is no significant reason.
If one is convinced of the correctness of a decision, one should also stick to it with inner steadfastness.
This is the so-called
“right judgment,”
which is not dependent on sympathy or antipathy.
Monday
Speech. Only what has meaning and significance should come from the lips of those who strive for higher development. All talking for the sake of talking – for example, to pass the time – is harmful in this sense. One should answer every question, but thoughtfully, considering every angle. Never speak without reason! Be happy to remain silent. Try not to say too much or too little. First listen quietly, then process what has been said.
This exercise is also called:
“the right word.”
Tuesday
External actions. These should not be disruptive to those around us. When you are prompted to act by your inner voice (conscience), carefully consider how you can best respond to the prompting for the good of the whole, the lasting happiness of your fellow human beings, and the eternal.
When one acts out of one's own free will, one should consider the effects of one's actions in advance as thoroughly as possible.
This is also called
“the right deed.”
Wednesday
The organization of life. Live in accordance with nature and the spirit, do not get caught up in the external trappings of life. Avoid everything that brings unrest and haste into life.
Do not rush, but do not be sluggish either. Consider life as a means to work, to higher development, and act accordingly.
In this context, one also speaks of the
“right point of view.”
Thursday
Human striving. Take care not to do anything that is beyond your powers, but also not to neglect anything that is within them.
Look beyond the everyday and the momentary and set yourself goals (ideals) that are related to the highest duties of a human being, for example, wanting to develop yourself in the sense of the exercises given, so that you will be able to help and advise your fellow human beings all the more, even if perhaps not in the immediate future.
What has been said can also be summarized as follows:
“Make all previous exercises a habit.”
Friday
The pursuit of learning as much as possible from life.
Nothing passes us by that does not give us an opportunity to gain experience that is useful for life. If we have done something wrong or imperfectly, this becomes an opportunity to do something similar correctly or perfectly later on.
When we see others acting, we observe them with a similar goal in mind (but not with unkind glances). And you do nothing without looking back on experiences that can help you in your decisions and actions.
You can learn a lot from everyone, even children, if you pay attention.
This exercise is also called
“the right memory.”
This means remembering what you have learned and the experiences you have had.
Summary
Take a look inside yourself from time to time, even if it's only five minutes a day at the same time. In doing so, one should immerse oneself in oneself, consult oneself carefully, examine and form one's principles of life, run through one's knowledge – or the opposite – in one's mind, consider one's duties, reflect on the content and true purpose of life, take a serious dislike to one's own mistakes and imperfections, in a word: seek to discover what is essential and lasting, and set yourself appropriate goals, such as virtues to acquire. (Do not fall into the mistake of thinking that you have done something well, but always strive to follow the highest examples.)
This exercise is also called
“true contemplation.”