“The Energy of Awakening” with Jean this Sunday at Minneapolis Insight

Dear Community,

Sunday 10am Community Practice & Discussion

Being tired is something I hear a lot lately.  Many people, including myself, feel depleted, lacking in energy.

In Buddhism, viriya, or energy (also translated as effort, strength, courage, vigor, perseverance, and persistence), is an important quality. It is the third Factor of Awakening and the fourth Parami.  At its most basic, Joseph Golstein writes, viriya means the capacity for activity, the power to do something. And it is wisdom that helps us discern how much capacity we have and how best to use it.

These are the words of Ajahn Sucitto in his book Parami (freely available here):

The cultivation of energy is about on the one hand protecting and gathering resources and on the other applying and sustaining that energy on worthwhile pursuits.  The assessment of what is worthwhile and the fine-tuning of how to gather and sustain energy are the way wisdom contributes to energy…One of the key motivations for applying energy is that it is for the welfare of others as well as oneself.

Connecting to the felt sense of energy in the body (however much or little that may be), relating to it with kindness, and choosing to use it for the greater good are all important parts of practice. Wisdom and compassion in action.

Please join us Sunday for an exploration of viriya.  All are welcome. Registration and Zoom information available here.

With mettā,
Minneapolis Insight