Full Moon - FIVE Spiritual Faculties

In one whose mind is unsteady,
whose heart is not prepared with true teachings,
whose faith is not matured,
the fullness of wisdom will not manifest.

DHAMMAPADA v. 38

We are all familiar with teachings on mindfulness. It is important to remember that the Buddha encouraged the cultivation of five spiritual faculities, not just one: trust/confidence (saddha), motivation (viriya), embodied mindfulness (sati), collectedness of attention (samadhi), and discernment (pannya). When faced with rapid change and disruption, it matters that we prepare ourselves in ways that protect and strengthen us. With a well-developed capacity for trusting in true principles there is less risk of falling into doubt and despair. If you have energy and motivation you are more likely to perceive difficulties as challenges that you can learn from, not just as problems that obstruct. When mindfulness is cultivated and embodied, you are better prepared to accurately engage with whatever your inner and outer worlds present you. Disciplined attention can help equip you with a sense of steadiness and the ability to remain focussed, not chronically distracted. When the faculty of discernment is functional, you will be more inclined to ask the right sort of questions, at the right time, in the right way, leading to clarity and balanced sensitivity.

(This post is also available to view at dhammakatha.org)