So he taught his disciples the eight 'correct ways'. These eight correct paths are all rooted in the balance between activity and passivity, optimism and pessimism, tension and relaxation, reason and irrationality. Right thinking are those thoughts, plans and theories which arise from a right world view, that is neither too idealistically impractical nor too materialistically trivial. Right speech has often been interpreted as meaning not to tell lies, but in a deeper sense it refer to 'gentle words', speech which is in harmony with both the speaker and the listener and their situation. Right action is always appropriate for the situation, and is not unduly influenced by our transient moods or whims.
Right effort is the fine work enabled by inner harmony and balance.
Right mind, as you may suppose, refers to a tranquil undisturbed mind. Right body balance refers to being neither too tight nor too loose, neither too tense nor too relaxed. These goals may seem a bit simple, but, after all, the inspiration for Zen comes from a man like us who lived long ago, and the goal of Zen is to purify and to bring ourselves into harmony, not as some fantastic unbelievable experience, but rather a return to the good balance we often enjoyed as children. The Ten Precepts Do not kill. Do not steal.