FIVE spiritual faculties: full moon – Tuesday 10th June 2025

In one whose mind is unsteady,
whose heart is not prepared with true teachings,
whose faith is not matured,
the fullness of wisdom
will not manifest

DHAMMAPADA v. 38

We are all familiar with teachings on mindfulness. It is important to remember that the Buddha encouraged the cultivation of five spiritual faculities, not just one: trust/confidence (saddha), motivation (viriya), embodied mindfulness (sati), collectedness of attention (samadhi), and discernment (pannya). When faced with rapid change and disruption, it matters that we prepare ourselves in ways that protect and strengthen us. With a well-developed capacity for trusting in true principles there is less risk of falling into doubt and despair. If you have energy and motivation you are more likely to perceive difficulties as challenges that you can learn from, not just as problems that obstruct. When mindfulness is cultivated and embodied, you are better prepared to accurately engage with whatever your inner and outer worlds present you. Disciplined attention can help equip you with a sense of steadiness and the ability to remain focussed, not chronically distracted. When the faculty of discernment is functional, you will be more inclined to ask the right sort of questions, at the right time, in the right way, leading to clarity and balanced sensitivity.

TRAINING IN TRUTHFULNESS: full moon – Saturday, July 20th, 2024

“One who is truthful,
virtuous, impeccable in conduct,
free from all stains and wise
can be called an elder.”

DHAMMAPADA v 261

The idea of truthfulness is appealing. The constant practice of it is more challenging. To inspire yourself to make an effort in this direction, try paying attention to how you feel when you suspect someone is lying to you. Mindfulness of dukkha can serve as a motivation for restraint. Without such intentional training we remain dangerously vulnerable to the negative influences of media and the values of the casual culture in which we live.

Q: Please Give Some Tips On Keeping Practice Consistent When Motivation Is Low?

(approx. 9 minutes) KEYWORDS: Q: "Could You Please Give Some Tips On How To Keep Our Practice Consistent When Motivation Is Low." Inertia, interest, misconstrue, craving, wholesome desires, see clearly, accumulated denied life, unfair, 2 decades, clinging, overwhelm, projecting toxic aversion, middle way, enthusiasm, breathing, body, acupuncture, exercise.

Q: What Is Open-Hearted Awareness And How To Nurture It?

(approx. 13 minutes) Keywords: Open window, unobstructed, absence, heart contraction, numb, skill, traditional formula, presence, tension, softening, interest, motivation, nature, retreat, metta bhavana, karaniya metta sutta, giggling, greedy, entitled, fear of loss, Ajahn Dukkha, learning a language, vague, fortitude, willing to feel uncomfortable, contentment, nothing special, normality, empathy.

Q: When We Chant, 'May All Beings Be Happy', Does That Mean The Only Good Is Happiness?

(approx. 7 minutes) Keywords: Motivation, formal contemplations, Four Brahma Vihara: metta, karuna, mudita, upekkha, obstructions, denial, indulgence, middle way, Acrobat sutta, selfishness, expanding open-hearted awareness, benefit, conflict, anger, relevance, competence.