Delving Into The Five Spiritual Faculties Of Buddhism - by Mark Zelinsky

COURSE

Delving Into The Five Spiritual Faculties Of Buddhism

With Mark Zelinsky

Buddhist scripture describes five spiritual faculties: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. One lens through which we can view these faculties reveals them as useful qualities for the pursuit of skill. While you could apply these qualities to any skill, we are particularly interested in strengthening the skill of leading a good life. Scripture suggests that these faculties can be cultivated in the practitioner to the point that the faculties themselves are finally released, with the release of all clinging - this is one definition of the well-known term, nirvana. While this may seem like a lofty goal, the practice is actually very down-to-earth. Each day will have a lesson about one of the faculties, followed by a short guided meditation to practice what we've learned. No matter where we find ourselves on our spiritual journey, this teaching encourages us to look a little closer and dig a little deeper. While the work of personal fulfillment and growth can sometimes be difficult, this teaching is accessible and is offered here as a practice that can be harmonious and enjoyable. I hope you’ll join me.

ContemplationConcentration MeditationConcentrationSelf-ObservationTraditional BuddhismReligionBuddhismSpiritualitySpiritualityMindfulness MeditationMindfulnessWisdomHealth & HappinessHappiness

Meet your Teacher

Mark Zelinsky
Ashland, Ma

Through years of studying philosophical and spiritual ideas, and gradually building a meditation practice, I started to consider how my voice might help others in their practice the same way the voices of my teachers have helped me. My meditation style is rooted in techniques taught by Theravada teachers, but I don't identify with a single religion. I'm continually amazed by the potential in understanding the breath and utilizing its power for the benefit of this multidimensional existence.

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5 Days

3.8k students

4.7 stars

15 min / day

Wisdom

English

Lesson 1

Faith

We will consider spiritual faith (sometimes translated as confidence) as something that is not at all blind, but full of growth and appreciation of a sometimes hidden world for which we continue to deepen our understanding. The lesson will describe how we incrementally build faith through simple things like trust in friends that we admire, and how this same process can be applied to our practice. The lesson will finish with an opportunity to engage this faculty in a guided meditation.

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Lesson 2

Energy

Energy is the fuel generated by inspiration, by faith. As we become more attuned to its presence, we can let it grow to help our practice flourish. This factor can be understood as initiatory, but also as a factor that keeps us going in the practice when we might otherwise have quit, which is in line with its other translation, persistence. We'll explore how energy may be more available than we think if we just remember our natural interest and curiosity in the observation of our being.

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Lesson 3

Mindfulness

A centerpiece of Buddhist practice and theory, as well as a centerpiece in this list, mindfulness is an ever-present quality of recollection, present awareness, and understanding of consequences. We'll talk about right mindfulness, as it is referred to in the noble eight fold path, and consider what its opposite might be. We'll come to see how mindfulness is interwoven in all aspects of our practice, possibly more than any other factor described in Buddhist scripture.

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Lesson 4

Concentration

Concentration is often what we think of when thinking about meditation. It is a quality of gathered faculties - a coming together. Concentration on a meditation object, theme, or subject matter is part of the practice, but there is also a transcendent quality of unified being in mind and body which becomes more and more common through practice. This in turn reveals concentration as a factor of stability. In a way, we set up our concentration,so that other factors have the best chance of success.

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Lesson 5

Wisdom

Wisdom has an air of mystery about it, as if it's something that's cultivated through the ages and attained only by the old, and possibly strange. But it essentially means getting better and better at knowing the right thing to do, the healthier way to think and be in the world. It's worth noting that wisdom, also translated as discernment, is demonstrated through one simple choice after another. Becoming more and more refined in our access to the present moment offers us increasing ability to demonstrate this faculty. This is possibly why the wise seem mysterious, as they are witnessing subtleties that do not appear to those whose attention is scattered rather than rooted in the present.

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4.7 (265)

Recent Reviews

Brian

May 29, 2025

Mark is a wonderful teacher and I can’t recommend him high enough. I encourage everyone to take this class and watch for his live classes on this app

Michaele

February 12, 2025

I loved the pace of this course as well as its simplicity. The teacher had a very nice voice and he was easy to understand, both conceptually and verbally. Thank you. I plan to listen to the entirety again, in the near future. Michaele

Mark

December 13, 2024

It was material I had heard before, but I like the way it was explained and the verbal delivery and sound scape was soothing for me.

James

November 12, 2024

A very good course that helps me to know that meditation can help me to relax and exploring the different paths we have for a meaningful life with ourselves and the universe. Thank you 🙏

Helena

September 23, 2024

I really enjoyed this course. It brought med new perspectives to help med in my practise. I will return to it.

Brian

April 22, 2024

His voice pulls me ever deeper Clear thinking, well presented 👍🏼🙏🏼🤓 I am overflowing with gratitude ❤️ Masterful

Tom

December 16, 2023

🙏🏼🌞🙏🏼

Elöd

November 17, 2023

🙏🏼

Tatyana

November 12, 2023

Thank you for this course ! A lot of useful information and food for the thought . Very grateful to you 🙏❤️

Maria

October 5, 2023

Loved it!

julianne

September 16, 2023

Excellent course thank you for these meditations

Desiree

August 19, 2023

Calming focused meditation that has contributed to my understanding. Thank you for the teaching of clarified focus

Stanley

August 9, 2023

Excellent short n sweet course but yet full of insights into the meditation faculty from a Buddhist View point. Highly recommended for beginners who doesn't yet know of what meditation can really helps u in your daily life.

Jackson

July 27, 2023

G👀D time spent… I think I have a better idea of what the Buddha meant!

Kareena

June 9, 2023

Deep gratitude and grace.🙏

Meg

June 6, 2023

Rephrased in helpful and contemporary way. Thank you 🙏

Barbara

May 18, 2023

Having finished the last of these classes, I want to go back to the first one and do the course over again. This is a rich source of inspiration.

Robert

May 7, 2023

I like this course because of its simplicity and common language.

Ro

April 24, 2023

Great course!

Gary

March 10, 2023

Enjoyed!

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