I am interested in what Buddhism has to say about the flow of energy in our lives.
(For clarification, by "energy" i am referring to the concrete aspects of stamina/fatigue, feeling tired or having the strength to go about your day. I realize the topic of energy is broad, and dealt with in different yogic, para-psychological or pseudo-scientific contexts, but those aspects are out of the scope of my question).
To the best of my knowledge, the extent of Buddhist commentaries regarding energy use concepts like indriyas/balanis and not least viriya. For instance, in AN 6.55 we can read that:
>...when energy is too forceful it leads to restlessness. When energy is too slack it leads to laziness. So, Soṇa, you should apply yourself to energy and serenity, find a balance of the faculties, and learn the pattern of this situation.
https://suttacentral.net/an6.55/en/sujato
In SN 48.43 Buddha elaborates on the faculty of energy:
> The faculty of energy is the power of energy, and the power of energy is the faculty of energy.
https://suttacentral.net/sn48.43/en/sujato
Possibly related, we can also read about piti, a feeling of energizing rapture (if you will) as a dhyana factor:
>Here, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the first jhāna, which consists of rapture and pleasure born of seclusion, accompanied by thought and examination.
https://suttacentral.net/an5.28/en/bodhi
Seeing as tranquility in Buddhism is - arguably - given precedence over energizing i am assuming that the latter is somewhat subordinate, and dealt with to lesser degree than other Buddhist topics. Or am i wrong?
What else can Buddhism teach us about energies? (This is a reference request.)
Asked by user11699
Jun 21, 2020, 01:57 PM
Last activity: Jul 2, 2020, 01:25 AM
Last activity: Jul 2, 2020, 01:25 AM