Dear Friends, In a talk by Gil Fronsdal, he summarizes the four wise efforts as: If you’re not making it worse, don’t.If you are making it worse, stop.If you’re not making it better, make it better.If you are making it better, keep doing it. Talk: First Right Effort and Mettahttps://www.audiodharma.org/talks/9608?code=YLNL The first wise effort involves preventing unwholesome or… Read More »
Dear Friends, Here’s a brief talk you might find helpful to consider before practicing today. Brian Lesage explores the interplay between effort and letting go, highlighting how wise effort arises from a balanced, relaxed approach rather than striving. He reflects on the role of aspiration–driven by a deep love for the teachings–and its power to fuel practice with… Read More »
Dear Friends, Joseph Goldstein suggests reflecting on the preciousness of this human birth as a way to support the first effort of preventing unwholesome states from arising. He reminds us:“It’s precious because now we have the opportunity to weaken and eventually uproot these latent defilements that have been with us throughout our lives.” (page 392) Ajahn Sucitto offers… Read More »
Dear Friends, Energy, or viriya, can be directed toward many different goals. To align our energy with our intentions, we focus it on the four endeavors of wise effort. Over the next few weeks, we will explore each of these in depth. The first endeavor is to prevent unwholesome states from arising. Joseph Goldstein reflects: When we’re leading… Read More »
Dear Friends, Setting a New Year intention can be a powerful practice to align your actions with deeper values and aspirations. An intention is not a rigid resolution but a guiding principle to cultivate mindfulness and growth throughout the year. Christina Feldman discussed a way we can work with this by noticing intentions: Intention and viriya (energy or… Read More »
Dear Friends, Thank you for choosing to be part of this January email offering. This marks the tenth year of this tradition, and I am continually inspired by the teachings and by the knowledge that you are here with me on this shared journey. This month, we will be exploring the factor of energy, or effort, as one… Read More »
Dear friends, I will be offering daily meditation emails again for January 2025. Are you interested in participating? As in previous years, I will send an email each day throughout the month of January. This year’s theme, Strength for the Journey: Energizing Mind and Heart, focuses on the energy (viriya) factor of the seven factors of awakening. Together,… Read More »
