Each day I review, during my meditation as well as at other times these seven factors that lead to awakening. If everyone could apply these awakening aspects, we'd have a much better world. Not only would people understand each other, but we'd understand the importance of putting a strong and balance effort forward in life.
The first, mindfulness, is a very popular concept that seems to have caught on in today's spirituality. I'm not sure though, if most spiritual types have it figured correctly. Mindfulness comes from the Pali word sati, which means mind. The Buddha defines mindfulness as being able to remember.
“And what is the faculty of sati? There is the case where a monk, a disciple of the noble ones, is mindful, highly meticulous, remembering & able to call to mind even things that were done & said long ago. (And here begins the satipatthana formula:) He remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in & of themselves... the mind in & of itself... mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.”
— SN 48.10, The Buddha (Source: AccesstoInsight.org)
So, being mindful, and mindfulness is the act of being aware of that which arises and that which is passing away in our lives. As we go about our lives we should be as mindful as we can 'remember' to be. When we meditate, we should practice mindfulness as the Buddha suggests. This way we begin to make sense of what is occurring within us. We then learn not to react (or at least not to react as harshly).
Being mindful strengthens our mind, when applied regularly, we appear to be wise to outsiders. In fact, we are wise. (Sometimes, we're just not used to this condition.) Why? With mindfulness, we remember and discern. We know what we think, what is arising in our thoughts, even our pre-conscious thoughts. That's how good we can get with the practice of mindfulness. We also discern what we speak, saying only wise words. Third, we discern what we actually do, taking only wise actions. Fourth, no one unbalances us because we know things that they don't -that is, we are existing out of true wisdom. They are 'acting' out of ignorance, not knowing, like a child just learning.
The second aspect of awakening, is maintaining a mind that is investigative to dhamma or dharma. It is a mind that is investigative of the way every aspect of life arises and passes away. This allows for 'seeing' things in their correct state, and perspective. Basically this is the practice which culminates in seeing things as they are.
The third awakening aspect is a psychological property pertaining to mental energy. The Pali word is viriya. Developing a viriya, or a strong mental energy, allows us to stay on the path to purity, peace, calm and awakening. It keeps us going when we may begin to falter. With practice, you never falter. This is the importance of spiritual energy.
The fourth awakening aspect is rapture, called piti in Pali, which is happiness. It is developing the sense of happiness that arises through the investigation of that which arises within (the mind), seeing it for what it truly is, and allowing the mind to come to rest. This is the rapture that should be explored and cultivated.
Rapture or happiness is not attained through outer materialism. This form of happiness is not happiness at all. It is just chasing after materialism, and it never ends. You become bored and dissatisfied with your new pursuit. You then chase after something new, seeking happiness. Instead, find that happiness inside you. Clear the clutter, you will find it is there.
The fifth aspect is passadhi the Pali word for tranquility or calm. Once you clear some clutter from your inner world, you'll see the outer world, while confused, is just that, confused. But, you won't be. This leads to a wonderful inner calm that is both of the mind and the body.
The sixth aspect is samadhi, the Pali word for concentration. With a calm mind, freed from clutter of worldly happenings, your samadhi arises. Don't be alarmed when it does. Most often, sitting in meditation you will experience samadhi or concentration. You will know that it has arisen when you see an inner light arising, moving about, doing different things, etc. You will find that when you let go (at least temporarily) of sense desires or greed, hatred or aversion, laziness, restlessness and doubt, your 'self' becomes freed. It becomes unconditioned.
The seventh factor of awakening is upekkha, the Pali word for equanimity. This state is quite possibly, the most difficult to achieve. Yet, is a factor well worth pursuing. It is not being indifferent. It is being in a state of such deep understanding of the way things are, the arising and passing away of everything, that you no longer waver. You are truly wise to the extent to which you apply the wisdom of these seven aspects.
To all that may come this way -have a wonderful day!