August 21, 7-8:30pm, at Prana Wellness Center, 1428 Commercial Street, Astoria, Oregon.
The factors of enlightenment help us be aware of the beneficial states of mind that arise through mindfulness practice. Like all mental objects, they arise, come to fullness, and dissolve. At the same time, they are objects of mind that have a whiff of goodness in them–a taste of enlightenment.
Sometimes we have resistance to our own experiences of enlightenment. Understanding and working with our resistances helps us be more open to our own experiences of enlightenment.
The factors of enlightenment arise unbidden, and they provide a feeling like the freshness of a spring breeze. We can’t make them arise, and we can’t keep them.
Mindfulness. What is the experience of being mindful? How does it resonate in body and mind? We talk a lot about being mindful, but do we notice when we are being mindful and really lean into the experience?
Concentration. When we are concentrated, how does our concentration affect our relationships, our work, or our experience? When we know we are concentrated, and not lost in the experience, there is an integrity to how we express ourselves and live.
Investigation. How about the quality of investigation? We need both mindfulness and concentration to explore something. When we are curious, looking into an experience, we explore the truth of our experience without wobbling. This enables the experience we are investigating to open and transform. This can be an awe inspiring experience of wonder.
Energy. Energy can give us the capacity to practice, to experience the states of mind with steadfastness and, well, energy. Energy is what moves us into formal practice; it helps us show up even when we don’t want to. It helps us continue to practice, to have the strength to keep going no matter what.
Joy. Joy can arise at any moment, and it can be so delicate we can miss it. We can experience barriers to feeling joy. Feeling the delicate beauty of joy can take us by surprise. Do you have barriers to experiencing joy?
Tranquility. Contentment and tranquility create peace of mind. When we practice with impeccability and steadfastness, tranquility not only arises, but becomes a station, a place we abide. We may have filled our lives so full that we don’t have space for tranquility. What do you need to do to live with more tranquility?
Equanimity. We learn to be balanced as we practice mindfulness. Experiences come and go; we stay present with anything and everything. We become unshakable, unflappable.
As we explore the factors of enlightenment, it is natural to want to experience them. We will work with releasing our attachments to the factors of enlightenment, whether the attachment shows up as resistance or wanting.