The Seven Factors of Enlightenment By Irene Tobler

 Mindfulness (sati)  Investigation (dhamma vicaya)  Energy (viriya)  Joy or Rapture (piti)  Relaxation or Tranquility (passaddhi) of body and mind  Concentration (samadhi)  Equanimity (upekkha)

The Seven Factors of Enlightenment are natural qualities of mind which develop through a spiritual practice. When these factors are fully developed and balanced, we experience a state of inner freedom and peace with what whatever is happening to us.

Three of the seven factors are more receptive principles, which develop through the practice. These three factors are:

 Relaxation or Tranquility – a mind that is quiet, relaxed and at peace with what is

 Concentration –a mind able to focus and stay with what is

 Equanimity – a certain kind of healthy detachment of mind

The other three factors are more active principles:

 Investigation – a keen curiosity to look deeply into the nature of what is happening

 Energy – the constant effort it takes to stay mindful and present

 Joy or Rapture – the bliss, which we can experience, when the practice gets deeper and stronger.

The 7th factor is Mindfulness, and mindfulness is the basic condition for all other factors to develop more fully.

These Factors of Enlightenment are also ordinary abilities that are useful in daily life and that we all master to a certain degree. They deepen with our practice of mindfulness.

When practiced steadily and intensely over a period of time, they become established in the mind, and provide us with a sense of wellbeing. Once they are fully blossomed, we enjoy an awakened state of mind.

The Seven Factors of Mindfulness are do-able because we can start practicing them right where we are. We can start with being present and mindful in our sitting practice, and become mindful of them as we experience our daily life.

This willingness to be mindful with what is arising provides us with more energy and curiosity, which then helps us to investigate deeper into the nature of what is arising in us.

As we stay with our experience and inquire more deeply, we can experience a more satisfying and joyful participation with life. As we learn to face life in this way, we learn to accept reality as it is, which brings about a natural state of relaxation or tranquility.

These Seven Factors of Enlightenment are also useful elements in our PSEN work, in our way of being present with our clients. They are especially aligned with our 4th PSEN Core Value of Accepting What Is.

Being a mindful and embodied presence with our clients requires us to relax into moments of uncertainty and unknowing, and to focus on what is arising within the client, within ourselves and between us.

Mindfulness helps our mind to be spacious and open to what is arising beyond the content of what is exposed. Our ability to be present also fosters a certain kind of accompaniment that holds empathy and open interest in our client’s unfolding. This is necessary for a deeper inquiry into the nature of the client’s issue.

The Seven Factors of Enlightenment can be like a roadmap for us, allowing us to see where we are on our inner Journey. They help to orient us in our own psychological and spiritual development, as well as in our ability to offer a deeply embodied presence to our clients.

As we practice regularly over time, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment become part of who we are and how we are in the world.

We will find that the hindrances will be present when these factors of mind are not balanced.