Seven Factors of Awakening Meditation

Not meant to be a thorough exploration of the seven factors, but to point to how they could be applied to simple breath meditation- many great teachers to look into for further research.

Transcript

Baan Begin by taking a few slow,

Relaxed,

Deep breaths.

Notice where you experience the breath most prominently.

This will become the central point to which you keep returning.

Common places include the tip of the nose,

The diaphragm,

And the belly.

Take your time and really feel the breath.

As it enters and exits the body.

This will become the central point of your breath.

As it enters and exits the body.

As it enters and exits the body.

The first factor of the seven factors of awakening is mindfulness.

The role of mindfulness is to keep what is present in mind.

It notices what has just occurred and integrates it with the present,

And understands how this present moment leads to the next.

Just be mindful of your breathing as it is right now.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

Out of mindfulness,

A second factor can arise.

Investigation.

In the steady state of mindfulness,

We continue to look more deeply.

In the increasing keenness of our mindfulness,

We begin to become more interested in what is happening.

The steady foundation of mindfulness leads to investigation of what is occurring,

All the while continuing to return to your breathing.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

Over the course of linear time,

Mindfulness and investigation can begin to tire on their own,

And we need to put forth something extra from ourselves,

From our will.

Sometimes energy is described as a factor which comes out of faith in the practice.

Faith or confidence in the fact that this practice has borne positive results for us on previous occasions,

Has created positive results for people we trust,

For teachers of the past.

Bring energy into your investigation,

Into your mindfulness.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

The fourth factor is joy.

Joy can arise as gratitude for the energy we have put forth,

The kind of joy that can spontaneously arise in any kind of work where we see our effort yield positive results.

We have all experienced this kind of joy that comes from wise effort.

Even if there is no obvious joy showing itself at this moment,

We can look more closely,

We can use our effort,

Our investigation and mindfulness to find a place that joy does exist.

Often our body and mind are holding a wide variety of sensations and perceptions which we aren't noticing,

And now we are looking for the joy.

Patiently look through your body and mind for any sense of joy,

However great or small.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

Joy is like a wave and tranquility is like the smooth sand that's left behind.

Because no states of mind are permanent,

We find that there is nothing wrong with joy leaving.

It has its moment,

Then it goes and leaves behind something equally valuable,

Tranquility.

See how investigation,

Mindfulness and effort has brought joy,

Which has piqued and left tranquility in its wake.

Find the place in your breathing which is tranquil and serene.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

Tranquility is the ground for the sixth factor,

Concentration.

Continue to observe your breath.

As our practice develops,

We can begin to establish a powerful foundation,

A sense of unity,

Composure and stability throughout our being,

Which is referred to as concentration or samadhi.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

Your breathing,

Notice how it has become stronger,

Less susceptible to the winds of the world.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

This is the only focus.

Reviews

I very much enjoyed the silent spaces between the guidance, providing time for reflection.
Thank you very much for sharing this meditation Mark 🙏

Excellent talk,tone and timing. Mark’s presentation helps me build momentum in awareness

That was a wonderful mindfulness meditation experience Thankyou 🙏

Great, Although I'm not clear about how mindful investigation should proceed. 🙏
Ps. That's a wonderful explanation! This is the perfect form of meditation, in my view. Perfect for early in the day, which is now, where I am.
Thank you again, and take care 💜🙏

Great - perfect combination of good instructions and very little talking. Thank you !

A gentle guide through the factors of awakening, contemplating each one in sequence offers a beautiful reflection while still grounded on the breath. Thanks

Beautiful voice. Great pacing. Perfect for me this morning. Thank you ☺️

Comforting tone and pace.. good effort! Thank you..

Thank you, Mark. I so enjoyed this meditation to begin my day.

I know I’ve heard these before (from other teachers) but today is the day I told my brain to actually remember them. Let’s see how I did.

1. Mindfulness
2. Investigation
3. Energy
4. Joy
5. Tranquility
6. Concentration
7. Equanimity

Yippee!

I love the part about not minding moving from joy to tranquility because of the impermanent nature of everything… or something like that.

Thanks, Mark. Very enjoyable!

🙏🏼🤍🪷

Very helpful. Appreciated the brevity and clarity of each step. Now it is up to me to investigate more!
🙏

Love all the space to breathe and be in each field of awakening. Thank you, Mark. 💞

Mark, thank you for the guidance. As a lifelong seeker, I appreciate learning how meditation practice can bring serenity. This is encouraging for the journey.

Marvellous 👌 I had followed the shortened 15 min version of this several times and enjoyed it immensely but I couldn't quite settle into the longer silences and bring the gentle discipline needed to garner the most from this full version. Today it clicked sweetly into place and was a fantastic journey. Many thanks Mark 🙏

Jon Kabat Zinn has spoken about how important it is not to be too rigid or pious in practising, but at the same time to recognise that it’s not just “kidding around”. The teaching that is offered here strikes that balance perfectly. Grateful thanks 🙏🏻

Excellent! Not an easy one to sit with, yet... a necessary and beautiful tool to take my meditation to the next level. Thank you! ✨🙏✨

Very helpfull. Thank you, and have a nice day.

Love this and the shorter versions. Any resources for those looking to go deeper with the seven factors?

Love the overview of all factors

Perfect! Thank you