There are five spiritual qualities known as the five priceless jewels; confidence, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. These qualities are our greatest friends and allies in meditation practice and spiritual growth.
According to the Buddha, the five faculties are the most powerful when they are in balance.
We balance confidence or faith with wisdom so that faith is not blind and wisdom is not cold or detached. Energy is balanced with concentration; When concentration and energy are harmonized the mind becomes clear and luminous and we can see deeply into the way things are. When we see deeply into the way things are wisdom and confidence are strengthened. Mindful awareness is the balancing factor so that we are present and awake in every aspect of our life.
Grounded in Buddhist principles and practices, but accessible to people of all faiths, this class we will explore Five Spiritual Faculties through meditation, instruction, and group discussion.
“ Sona was a lute player who was trying too hard to attain enlightenment. He could not even get the basic skills in meditation because of it. The Buddha asked Sona, “How do you tune your lute, Sona,?” Sona replied that he tuned his instrument so that the strings were neither too tight or too loose… That way he produced a beautiful sound. The Buddha taught him that it is the same way with meditation, that there must be a balance of energy and concentration, faith and wisdom, with mindfulness.