Among the Buddha's many teachings, his instruction on the Seven Factors of Awakening stands alone for the cumulative benefits it makes available to us. When we are firmly established in mindfulness, the Buddha explained, these seven "treasures" serve to steer the mind away from delusion and the causes of suffering, guiding us to the realization of freedom. In 7 Treasures of Awakening, Insight Meditation Society cofounder Joseph Goldstein reveals how each one of these qualities of enlightenment sequentially develop and support each other as our practice of mindfulness matures.

Program highlights:

Mindfulness, discrimination of states, energy, rapture, calm, concentration, and equanimity: the seven "treasures" of awakening

The four qualities of mindful attention

Dhammavicaya, or "knowing what's what"

Viriya (or energy), the root of all accomplishment

Well-balanced effort

Pīti, the antidote to anger and ill will

Reflecting on the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha

The role of calm on the path to awakening

Jhāna and the four developments of concentration

Sīla, ethical conduct

Equanimity versus indifference

The "great way" of non-preferential awareness

The deep delight born of peace

Excerpted from Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, Joseph Goldstein's masterwork on the Buddha's instructions for a life lived consciously.