Seven Factors of Awakening, Shorter Version

By request, a shorter version of the meditation by the same name. There is still a nice period of silence for reflection.

Transcript

�통 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.

Take your time and really feel the breath 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.

Out of mindfulness,

A second factor can arise.

Investigation.

As our mindfulness steadies,

We continue to look more deeply.

In the increasing keenness of our mindfulness of our breathing,

We begin to become more interested in what is happening.

Notice how the steady foundation of mindfulness leads to investigation of what is occurring,

All the while continuing to return to your breathing.

This is the first factor of awakening.

This is the second factor of awakening.

This is the third factor of awakening.

This is the fourth factor of awakening.

This is the third factor of awakening.

The third factor is energy.

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.

Thank you.

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 benefits,

Or benefits,

Or benefits,

Or benefits,

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.

Thank you.

In the wake of joy comes tranquility.

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 peaked and left tranquility in its wake.

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

Thank you.

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 state of mind.

A sense of unity,

Composure,

And stability throughout our being,

Which is referred to as concentration or samadhi.

Thank you.

You Equanimity is the factor which ensures the unshakability of the others.

You could bring all of these factors into your life and under any circumstances maintain them.

As we keep returning to our meditation practice,

The strength of all of these factors increases.

As you continue to observe your breathing,

Notice how it has become stronger,

Less susceptible to the winds of the world.

You you you you you you you you

Reviews

😻❤️🐾🙏🏽🐾💕💕💨💨🫧🫧🫧💕❤️💙🌟🌟gratitude 🌟❤️🪐💨beautiful ❤️💕🐾💨

Thank you. I appreciate the periods of silence between each of the factors, giving time for practice and reflection. A perfect meditation for me. 🙏

Exceptional. Settled in without trying to achieve anything. I brought myself to the practice and calm knowing came to me. If that makes any sense… 🙏🏻💞

Loved this meditation, and will return. Soothing voice, well paced, periods of silence, no music. Perfect. Thanks 🙏.

Love love love this meditation. Thank you💓

Truly awesome. Will listen to it again soon. Thank you

Balm for the soul 👌 Many thanks Mark 🙏

That was a beautiful meditation. Thank you for sharing.

Good reminder of foundation elements. Nice calming approach.

This was wonderful! I wish to practice this regularly. Thank you, Mark. ❤

Much Gratitude Mark! A great reminder of the roots of growth. One I needed this morning.

Thank you for a most effortless meditation. I had not meditated for several days and was worried that I would not be able to calm my mind. This was not the case. The meditation drew me in and helped me to feel woderful.

Is it a bird is it a plane? No it's tranquility. This is the thus far the best meditation I've enjoyed. Namaste 🙏 ✨🦋✨🦋🙏

Wonderful, thank you.

Very good. The teachings are helpful and the placing is spacious.

Beautiful thank you

Wonderful. My kind of meditation. Bare bones, lots of silences, and full of useful practice pointers. Will make this a regular

I loved this, thank you

Very nice, it put me in a good place, good way to start the day.