7 Factors Of Enlightenment

[Antlerman]

I recently came across this I wanted to share here which has proved enormously helpful to me in my meditation practices in particular.  Knowing where the mind is at on that given day and then working with it towards development in these 7 areas makes for a much more effective and productive practice.  I recommend researching what each of the 7 factors are to help understand.  The result for me is a much more focused and stable practice.  

 

7 Factors of Enlightenment

When the mind is sluggish, it is not the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: 
tranquility, concentration, and equanimity, 
because a sluggish mind can hardly be aroused by them.

When the mind is sluggish, it is the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: 
investigation of phenomena (dhammavicaya), energy (viriya) and rapture (piti), 
because a sluggish mind can easily be aroused by them.

When the mind is restless, it is not the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: 
investigation of the phenomena, energy and rapture, 
because an agitated mind can hardly be quietened by them.

When the mind is restless, it is the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: 
tranquility (passaddhi), concentration (samadhi) and equanimity (upekkha),
because an agitated mind can easily be quietened by them.

"But as for mindfulness (sati), monks, I declare that it is always useful."

(SN 46:53)