The Enlightenment Factors Accompanied by Breathing Mindfulness Meditation

Monks, Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation), when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit.

And how, Monks, is Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation) developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit and benefit?

Here, Monks, a Monk develops the Enlightenment factor of mindfulness accompanied by Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation), based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings, and elimination, maturing in release.

He develops the Enlightenment factor of investigation accompanied by Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation), based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings, and elimination, maturing in release.

He develops the Enlightenment factor of energy accompanied by Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation), based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings, and elimination, maturing in release.

He develops the Enlightenment factor of joy accompanied by Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation), based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings, and elimination, maturing in release.

He develops the Enlightenment factor of tranquility accompanied by Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation), based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings, and elimination, maturing in release.

He develops the Enlightenment factor of concentration accompanied by Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation), based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings, and elimination, maturing in release.

He develops the Enlightenment factor of equanimity accompanied by Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation), based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings, and elimination, maturing in release.

It is in this way, Monks, that Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation) is developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit and benefit.

(Reference: SN 54.2)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how Breathing Mindfulness Meditation leads to the development of The Seven Factors of Enlightenment maturing in release.

He further discusses how a Practitioner who develops The Seven Factors of Enlightenment leads to freedom from strong feelings and elimination, “maturing in release”.

“Maturing in release” is the experience one may have that as they deeply develop the mind, they may experience the bodily sensation of specific cravings/desires/attachments and/or specific taints/fetters being “released” from the mind.

The more one develops The Eight Fold Path starting with Right View (The Four Noble Truths) the mind can develop the ability to readily, and in some cases, instantly eliminate specific craving/desire/attachments and/or specific taints/fetters from the mind. There is much learning, reflecting, and practicing of these Teachings that is required as a prerequisite to developing this aspect of the mind.

Gotama Buddha is explaining the bodily sensation experienced upon the elimination of these pollutions of the mind as “maturing in release”.

What are The Seven Factors of Enlightenment?

The Seven Factors of Enlightenment are not to determine if someone is or is not Enlightened but instead, they are used to fine tune the mind bringing it to a balanced state - “in the middle”. If a Practitioner is noticing that the mind is not “in the middle”, as described in the Chapter titled “The Middle Way: Walking The Middle Way” (Chapter 6) of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1), use the associated factors of Enlightenment to move the mind to practicing the middle way.

When the mind becomes complacent, sluggish, lethargic, dull, or lazy, this is the time to practice the Enlightenment factors of Investigation, Energy, and Joy.

When the mind is excited, elated, ecstatic, euphoric, or over stimulated, this is the time to practice the Enlightenment factors of Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity.

The Enlightenment factor of Mindfulness is always useful and should be practiced in each and every moment. Mindfulness will need to be developed as part of training the mind through The Eight Fold Path using Breathing Mindfulness Meditation on a consistent and ongoing basis.

1.) Mindfulness: (Awareness of mind as described in The Eight Fold Path as “Right Mindfulness”.)

2.) Investigation: (Dedicated examination, exploration, research, study, and questioning to learn The Teachings.)

3.) Energy: (Effort, determination, ambition, initiative, motivation, vigor, and enthusiasm; willingness to do something.)

4.) Joy: (Pleased and delighted not associated with any specific object; unconditioned gladness; the Practitioner is not attaining it by craving/desire/attachment)

5.) Tranquility: (Relaxed, steadiness, stability, peacefulness, and stillness of mind.)

6.) Concentration: (Mental alertness, attentiveness, the ability to give your attention or thought to a single object or activity. “Singleness of mind” as described in The Eight Fold Path as “Right Concentration”.)

7.) Equanimity: (Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation; treating everyone impartially.)