When the mind is sluggish
The discourse emphasizes investigation, energy and rapture: qualities that can enliven attention.
Seven Factors of Awakening
MN 118 describes how mindfulness meditation develops seven factors of awakening and how these lead to knowledge and freedom.
The sequence in MN 118
In the mindfulness-of-breathing discourse, established mindfulness supports investigation; investigation rouses energy; energy supports rapture, followed by tranquility, concentration and equanimity. The discourse says these factors rely on seclusion, fading away and cessation, and ripen as letting go.
Mindfulness of BreathingMindfulness
Whenever a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body, at that time their mindfulness is established and lucid. At such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of mindfulness; they develop it and perfect it.
Investigation
As they live mindfully in this way they investigate, explore, and inquire into that principle with wisdom. At such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of investigation of principles; they develop it and perfect it.
Energy
As they investigate principles with wisdom in this way their energy is roused up and unflagging. At such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of energy; they develop it and perfect it.
Joy / rapture
When they’re energetic, rapture not of the flesh arises. At such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of rapture; they develop it and perfect it.
Calm
When the mind is full of rapture, the body and mind become tranquil. At such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of tranquility; they develop it and perfect it.
Collectedness
When the body is tranquil and they feel bliss, the mind becomes immersed in samādhi. At such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of immersion; they develop it and perfect it.
Equanimity
They closely watch over that mind immersed in samādhi. At such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of equanimity; they develop it and perfect it.
More energy, or more calm?
SN 46.53 uses the image of tending a fire. The helpful response depends on whether the mind is sluggish or restless. Mindfulness is useful in both cases.
When the mind is restless
It emphasizes tranquility, concentration and equanimity: qualities that help the mind settle.
How can cultivation lead to letting go?
In SN 51.15, Ānanda explains that the desire to reach a destination subsides on arrival. The dialogue uses this to explain purposeful cultivation directed toward liberation. The instruction to let go does not make developing the path unnecessary.
The Brahmin Uṇṇābha · SN 51.15Read, listen & explore
Related reading & listening
Sources & notes
Texts & teachers
Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu’s translation of SN 46.53 uses “persistence” for energy and “rapture” for joy.
Passages translated by Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral, CC0. The wording is reproduced from the cited discourse.