Baan 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.
Common places include the tip of the nose,
The diaphragm,
And the belly.
Take your time and really feel the breath.
As it enters and exits the body.
This will become the central point of your breath.
As it enters and exits the body.
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.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
Out of mindfulness,
A second factor can arise.
Investigation.
In the steady state of mindfulness,
We continue to look more deeply.
In the increasing keenness of our mindfulness,
We begin to become more interested in what is happening.
The steady foundation of mindfulness leads to investigation of what is occurring,
All the while continuing to return to your breathing.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
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.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
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 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.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
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 piqued and left tranquility in its wake.
Find the place in your breathing which is tranquil and serene.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
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 foundation,
A sense of unity,
Composure and stability throughout our being,
Which is referred to as concentration or samadhi.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
Your breathing,
Notice how it has become stronger,
Less susceptible to the winds of the world.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
This is the only focus.
