The Means to Enlightenment: The Seven Sets of Thirty-seven Qualities

[Michel]

Siddhatta Gotama often mentioned 7 sets of 37 qualities as a requirement for attaining liberation.

The seven sets listed below are based on Thanissaro's book, The Wings to Awakening, which I found opaque and really difficult to understand. I think something such as these 7 sets should be fairly easy to understand. He's a dreadful writer, in my view; he can write a clear sentence, but he can't explain things clearly, and it's all needlessly over complicated.

Would you please explain these qualities briefly, and how one should go about practicing them.

I. The seven sets:

1] The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (satipaṭṭhāna) [7th factor of the Eightfold Path] No need to explain.

2] The Four Right Efforts (sammappadhāna) [6th factor of the Eightfold Path] No need to explain.

3] The Four Bases of Power (iddhipāda)

1.Developing the base of power endowed with concentration founded on desire & the fabrications of exertion.
2.Developing the base of power endowed with concentration founded on persistence & the fabrications of exertion.
3.Developing the base of power endowed with concentration founded on intent & the fabrications of exertion.
4.Developing the base of power endowed with concentration founded on discrimination & the fabrications of exertion.

4] The Five Faculties (indrīya)

1.The faculty of conviction (saddhindrīya).
2.The faculty of persistence (viriyindrīya).
3.The faculty of mindfulness (satindrīya).
4.The faculty of concentration (samādhindrīya).
5.The faculty of discernment (paññindrīya).

5] The Five Strengths (bala) [also called the Five Powers]

1. The strength of conviction (saddhā-bala).
2.The strength of persistence (viriya-bala).
3.The strength of mindfulness (sati-bala).
4.The strength of concentration (samādhi-bala).
5.The strength of discernment (paññā-bala)

6] The Seven Factors for Awakening (bojjhaṅga) [No need to explain, already discussed. See post under same title.]

1.Mindfulness as a factor for Awakening (sati-sambojjhaṅga).
2.Analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening (dhamma-vicaya-sambojjhaṅga).
3.Persistence as a factor for Awakening (viriya-sambojjhaṅga).
4.Rapture as a factor for Awakening (pīti-sambojjhaṅga).
5.Serenity as a factor for Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhaṅga).
6.Concentration as a factor for Awakening (samādhi-sambojjhaṅga).
7.Equanimity as a factor for Awakening (upekkhā-sambojjhaṅga).

7] The Noble Eightfold Path (ariya-magga)



Does the following classification make any sense to you? It is Thanissaro's arrangement, and for me was impossible to understand. Perhaps it is in the suttas?

II. The Factors of the Seven Sets classed under the Five Faculties [Thanissaro's arrangement]

Conviction - Right Speech (Eightfold Path)

-Right Action (Eightfold Path)
-Right Livelihood (Eightfold Path)
-Desire (Bases of Power)
    
Persistence - Right Effort (Eightfold Path)

-Four Right Exertions
-Persistence (Bases of Power)
-Persistence (Factors for Awakening)
    
Mindfulness - Four Frames of Reference [Thanissaro means the 4 factors of right mindfulness. I can't understand this at all. He could not explain it clearly in his book]

-Right Mindfulness (Eightfold Path) [ he's got  right mindfulness under right mindfulness in effect]   
-Intent (Bases of Power)
-Mindfulness (Factors for Awakening)
    
Concentration - Four Bases for Power

-Right Concentration (Eightfold Path)
-Rapture (Factors for Awakening)
-Serenity (Factors for Awakening)
-Concentration (Factors for Awakening)
-Equanimity (Factors for Awakening)
    
Discernment   - Right View (Eightfold Path)

-Right Aspiration (Eightfold Path)
-Analysis of Qualities (Factors for Awakening)
-Discrimination (Bases of Power)
-Equanimity (Factors for Awakening)

[Alexander]

gotta be careful about some of these guys. keep in mind the un-enlightened make up the majority of authors. you could write a book on buddhism but still not even be a streamwinner.

[Michel]

aglorincz:

gotta be careful about some of these guys. keep in mind the un-enlightened make up the majority of authors. you could write a book on buddhism but still not even be a streamwinner.

I get the impression that some of these authors are engaged in far too many scholarly endeavours, succeeding only in confusing the masses. They have little time for meditation themselves. Thanissaro has written a mountain of books, all of them are needlessly difficult to understand. I swear, I will never go near a Thanissaro book as long as I live; it's a highly unpleasant experience trying to go through any of his books. And Bhikkhu Bodhi is unable to meditate because it gives him a headache, and his mountain load of books can be just as opaque as Thanissaro's. Since they aren't mystics, their views are wrong, and thus their translations of the Pali Canon are unsuccessful. Siddhatta Gotama was renowned for clearly expressing his ideas to people from all castes, and would kick ass if he saw today how his doctrine was so badly misrepresented. Maybe we will be able to make these teachings clear again for all to benefit. But it's all about $$$$$$$$$$$$ That is why, one of these days, I'm going to buy a lottery ticket - but Im too busy meditating.

[Jhanananda]

Siddhatta Gotama often mentioned 7 sets of 37 qualities as a requirement for attaining liberation.

Would you please explain these qualities briefly, and how one should go about practicing them.

Please see my version in italics below.[/quote]

I. The seven sets:

1] The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (satipaṭṭhāna) [7th factor of the Eightfold Path] No need to explain.

2] The Four Right Efforts (sammappadhāna) [6th factor of the Eightfold Path] No need to explain.

3] The Four Bases of Power (iddhipāda)

1.Aspiration arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc.  (chanda samádhi)
2.Energy (virtue/kundalini) arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (viriya samádhi)
3.Intention arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (citta samádhi)
4.Investigation arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (vimamsa samádhi)

4] The five faculties of the Deathless (indriya)

1.Faith/conviction (saddhindrīya).
2.Energy, virtue, kundalini (viriyindrīya).
3.Mindfulness, concentration, meditation and self-awareness (satindrīya).
4.Absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (not concentration) (samādhindrīya).
5.Wisdom (paññindrīya).

5] The Five Strengths (bala) [also called the Five Powers]

1.Faith/conviction (saddhā-bala).
2.Energy, virtue, kundalini (viriya-bala).
3.Mindfulness, concentration, meditation and self-awareness (sati-bala).
4.Absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (not concentration) (samādhi-bala).
5.Wisdom (paññā-bala)

6] The Seven Factors for Awakening (bojjhaṅga) [No need to explain, already discussed. See post under same title.]

1.Mindfulness as a factor for Awakening (sati-sambojjhaṅga).
2.Unpacking your belief systems (dhamma-vicaya-sambojjhaṅga).
3.Energy, virtue, kundalini  (viriya-sambojjhaṅga).
4.Bliss (Not Rapture) as a factor for Awakening (pīti-sambojjhaṅga).
5.Tranquility (still mind) as a factor for Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhaṅga).
6.Absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (not concentration) as a factor for Awakening (samādhi-sambojjhaṅga).
7.Equanimity as a factor for Awakening (upekkhā-sambojjhaṅga).

7] The Noble Eightfold Path (ariya-magga)

Note:
The above cycles over and over again on the same theme, which could be confusing.  So keep it simple:
the Four Noble Truths leads to Practice  (Magga).

Practice  (Magga)
The Noble Eightfold Path (ariya-magga)
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (satipaṭṭhāna).
Unpacking your belief systems (dhamma-vicaya-sambojjhaṅga).

Practice (Magga) leads to the fruit of attainment (phala)
1.Aspiration arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc.  (chanda samádhi).
2.Energy (virtue/kundalini) arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (viriya samádhi).
3.Intention arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (citta samádhi).
4.Bliss (Not Rapture) as a factor for Awakening (pīti-sambojjhaṅga).
5.Tranquility (still mind) as a factor for Awakening (passaddhi-sambojjhaṅga).
6.Absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (not concentration) as a factor for Awakening (samādhi-sambojjhaṅga).
7.Equanimity as a factor for Awakening (upekkhā-sambojjhaṅga).
8.Wisdom (paññā-bala).

This evening I was examining the Pali term 'bodhipakkhiya-dhammá' and noticed that it does not mean "Factors of Enlightenment" or "Wings of Awakening"
bodhi: Awakening, enlightenment
Pakkhipati: (pa + khipa) throws in, puts in.
Khippaü: ind. quickly.
dhammá: Philosophy

Thus it is the 37 "Swift Philosophies to Awakening," or "a philosophy that leads quickly to enlightenment."
Here is how the 37 are listed in the suttas, and their sources:

A philosophy that leads quickly to enlightenment (bodhipakkhiya-dhammá), which comprise the entire doctrine of the Buddha. They are:

the four foundations of mindfulness (satipatthána, q.v.),
the four right efforts (sammappadhana),
the four roads to power (iddhi-páda, q.v.),
the five spiritual faculties (indriya; s. bala),
the five spiritual powers (bala, q.v.),
the seven factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga, q.v.),
the Noble Eghtfold Path (ariya-magga).

In M. 77 all the 37 bodhipakkhiya-dhammá are enumerated and explained though not called by that name. A detailed explanation of them is given in Vis.M. XXII. In S.XLVII, 51, 67, only the five spiritual faculties (indriya) are called bodhipakkhiya-dhammá; and in the Jhána Vibhanga, only the 7 factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga).

Does the following classification make any sense to you? It is Thanissaro's arrangement, and for me was impossible to understand. Perhaps it is in the suttas?

II. The Factors of the Seven Sets classed under the Five Faculties [Thanissaro's arrangement]

Conviction - Right Speech (Eightfold Path)

-Right Action (Eightfold Path)
-Right Livelihood (Eightfold Path)
-Desire (Bases of Power)
    
Persistence - Right Effort (Eightfold Path)

-Four Right Exertions
-Persistence (Bases of Power)
-Persistence (Factors for Awakening)
    
Mindfulness - Four Frames of Reference [Thanissaro means the 4 factors of right mindfulness. I can't understand this at all. He could not explain it clearly in his book]

-Right Mindfulness (Eightfold Path) [ he's got  right mindfulness under right mindfulness in effect]   
-Intent (Bases of Power)
-Mindfulness (Factors for Awakening)
    
Concentration - Four Bases for Power

-Right Concentration (Eightfold Path)
-Rapture (Factors for Awakening)
-Serenity (Factors for Awakening)
-Concentration (Factors for Awakening)
-Equanimity (Factors for Awakening)
    
Discernment   - Right View (Eightfold Path)

-Right Aspiration (Eightfold Path)
-Analysis of Qualities (Factors for Awakening)
-Discrimination (Bases of Power)
-Equanimity (Factors for Awakening)

I think the above is Thanissaro's invention.  I could be wrong.  It would be useful to have a sutta quote to unravel the knotted thread of Thanissaro's commentary.

The seven sets listed below are based on Thanissaro's book, The Wings to Awakening, which I found opaque and really difficult to understand. I think something such as these 7 sets should be fairly easy to understand. He's a dreadful writer, in my view; he can write a clear sentence, but he can't explain things clearly, and it's all needlessly over complicated.

gotta be careful about some of these guys. keep in mind the un-enlightened make up the majority of authors. you could write a book on buddhism but still not even be a streamwinner.

I get the impression that some of these authors are engaged in far too many scholarly endeavours, succeeding only in confusing the masses. They have little time for meditation themselves. Thanissaro has written a mountain of books, all of them are needlessly difficult to understand. I swear, I will never go near a Thanissaro book as long as I live; it's a highly unpleasant experience trying to go through any of his books. And Bhikkhu Bodhi is unable to meditate because it gives him a headache, and his mountain load of books can be just as opaque as Thanissaro's. Since they aren't mystics, their views are wrong, and thus their translations of the Pali Canon are unsuccessful. Siddhatta Gotama was renowned for clearly expressing his ideas to people from all castes, and would kick ass if he saw today how his doctrine was so badly misrepresented. Maybe we will be able to make these teachings clear again for all to benefit. But it's all about $$$$$$$$$$$$ That is why, one of these days, I'm going to buy a lottery ticket - but Im too busy meditating.

You two make good points about how confusing the dhamma can be, as it is expressed today.  Since there are so many gross translation errors in most translations of the suttas, and the commentaries are confusing, then we can only conclude one thing, most Buddhist priests and lay teachers have no clue whatsoever.  There problems begin with: not leading a contemplative life; not meditating every day; and not leading a disciplined, and ethical life.  Mostly the frauds hide behind obscure commentaries.

[Michel]

This is really good, Jhananda. Thank-you. Now we have something to work with, and can go into the details. I like the way you have defined some of the sets and their qualities, and your comments are helpful and thought provoking.

Over all, do the 7 sets follow a strict order or sequence of development from mindfulness culminating with the eightfold path, is there a reason for this arrangement of the sets? My guess is that you can jump in anywhere while doing the practice; it's not first you do this and then you do that.

Jhanada:

Q- This evening I was examining the Pali term 'bodhipakkhiya-dhammá' and noticed that it does not mean "Factors of Enlightenment" or "Wings of Awakening"
bodhi: Awakening, enlightenment
Pakkhipati: (pa + khipa) throws in, puts in.
Khippaü: ind. quickly.
dhammá: Philosophy

Thus it is the 37 "Swift Philosophies to Awakening," or "a philosophy that leads quickly to enlightenment."

I like how you've arrived at your own title, the 37 "Swift Philosophies to Awakening." You've gone to the Pali dictionaries

Jhananda:

I think the above is Thanissaro's invention.[ The Factors of the Seven Sets classed under the Five Faculties]  I could be wrong.  It would be useful to have a sutta quote to unravel the knotted thread of Thanissaro's commentary.

I looked in his book and could not find a direct link to any of the suttas, but I will check again to make sure.

Jhananda:

The Noble Eightfold Path (ariya-magga)
Note:
The above cycles over and over again on the same theme, which could be confusing.  So keep it simple:
the Four Noble Truths leads to Practice  (Magga). 

Just to make sure, are you referring to the 8FP as cycling over and over? Would you explain this in more detail. What do you mean by "the Four Noble Truths leads to Practice"? 

Jhananda:

3] The Four Bases of Power (iddhipāda)

1.Aspiration arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc.  (chanda samádhi)
2.Energy (virtue/kundalini) arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (viriya samádhi)
3.Intention arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (citta samádhi)
4.Investigation arising from absorption/the religious experience/jhana, etc. (vimamsa samádhi)

What do you mean by aspiration, energy, intention, investigation arising from absorption?  I get that all these factors arise through the practice of jhana. But please define and explain each of these factors in detail.

[Jhanananda]

This is really good, Jhananda. Thank-you. Now we have something to work with, and can go into the details. I like the way you have defined some of the sets and their qualities, and your comments are helpful and thought provoking.

Over all, do the 7 sets follow a strict order or sequence of development from mindfulness culminating with the eightfold path, is there a reason for this arrangement of the sets? My guess is that you can jump in anywhere while doing the practice; it's not first you do this and then you do that.

In the suttas the arrangement seems to be only by increasing numbers.  I organized them in order of, first we have to overcome our delusions, which is what the Four Noble Truths is.  We have to realize that we suffer, and that there is a cause to our suffering and a path that leads to the end of suffering.

One of my sisters was a junkie for 25 years, and probably still is.  She recently became a born-again, who I guess has moved onto taking junk for Jesus.  She even married here heroine dealer.  Now I would call this a massive denial system at play.  Sadly the whole world works on such a denial system. 

So, the righteous path to liberation from our addictions/sins/fetters, and spiritual enlightenment is the contemplative life, which is based upon overcoming our denial systems and becoming self-aware. 

The next step in overcoming our denial systems is to take up the contemplative life, which is defined by the Noble Eightfold Path. 

Overcoming our denial systems, becoming self-aware, and taking up the contemplative life is not an end in itself.  The contemplative life leads, not only to liberation from our addictions/sins/fetters, and spiritual enlightenment; but it also leads to other attainments (phala), such as: the religious experience (samadhi), intuitive, revelatory insight (vipassana), OOBEs, etc.  So, I organized the list of Swift Philosophies to Awakening (bodhipakkhiya-dhammá) in the order of how awakening works.

I like how you've arrived at your own title, the 37 "Swift Philosophies to Awakening." You've gone to the Pali dictionaries

Thank-you, yes, I consulted the GWV's Contemplative's Pali-English, English-Pali Dictionary
Jhananda:

I think the above is Thanissaro's invention.[ The Factors of the Seven Sets classed under the Five Faculties]  I could be wrong.  It would be useful to have a sutta quote to unravel the knotted thread of Thanissaro's commentary.

I looked in his book and could not find a direct link to any of the suttas, but I will check again to make sure.

Just to make sure, are you referring to the 8FP as cycling over and over? Would you explain this in more detail.

No, what I meant was each section of the 37 Swift Philosophies to Awakening says almost the same thing.  So, it can all be simplified as I did so in my previous response.

What do you mean by aspiration, energy, intention, investigation arising from absorption?  I get that all these factors arise through the practice of jhana. But please define and explain each of these factors in detail.

A central premise that needs to be reinforced whenever possible is Jhana is not a practice (magga).  It is an attainment (phala).  Thus, inspiration, energy, intention, investigation are the product of absorption (samadhi), which is the religious experience.  This forum is all about the fruit (phala) of attainment.  There are sections on each fruit, and how they manifest.  How we get there is by following a righteous path to liberation from our addictions/sins/fetters, and spiritual enlightenment through leading the contemplative life, which is based upon overcoming our denial systems and becoming self-aware. 

[Michel]

Jhananda:

One of my sisters was a junkie for 25 years, and probably still is.  She recently became a born-again, who I guess has moved onto taking junk for Jesus.  She even married here heroine dealer.  Now I would call this a massive denial system at play.  Sadly the whole world works on such a denial system.

I was a heavy drinker for many years, as a result of being bipolar, until 2 years ago - I managed to stop drinking completely. The bipolar is under control with small doses of medication. Well, the alcohol nearly killed me, and I developed cirrhosis of the liver, and fortunately now is also under control. It was this suffering that led me to explore meditation and the Pali Cannon over a year ago, and both have straightened me out - completely. I now live an organized, well disciplined life, where there is meaning, purpose, and direction in everything. I suppose one's own suffering propels one into either further delusion and suffering, as in the case of your sister, or, as in my case, into a near state of non-delusion and suffering. But this suffering for me has subsided to a large degree, and hopefully, in this life, I will achieve freedom from suffering, but this is unlikely, but hopefully the next. Anyways, samsara is just as bad here in the north country as it is down south in your country. Everybody seems to get a good dose of it.

Alright, I'm a little confused on the seven sets. I got maybe half of the big picture. I like what you're saying - it's really the best explanation I've seen, so far - it's a real gem. But somethings aren't clear, and I can't seem to formulate any new questions. So, let's start over. This is at the heart of the teachings. So it's important for us to understand it correctly. A suggestion, why don't you write a short essay on the 7 sets showing how everything works, fits together, the practice of, etc., and explain it for us in detail, if you have the time? Take all the time you want, a few days, a week, or a month, however long it takes. Going about it the way we have gives us a fragmented, disorganized picture, I think.

Thanissaro:

As we noted in the Introduction, all of the 37 factors listed in the Wings to Awakening can be subsumed under the five faculties. Whereas Part II focused on the interrelationships among these various factors, this part of the book is devoted to using the five faculties as a framework for discussing the individual factors in and of themselves.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2012-01-01T07:23:11+00:00). The Wings to Awakening: An Anthology from the Pali Canon (Kindle Locations 4077-4079). Metta Forest Monastery. Kindle Edition.

Nowhere in the Canon does the Buddha list the seven sets of teachings under the name of Wings to Awakening. He mentions the seven sets as a group many times when he is summarizing his main teachings, but there is no firm evidence as to whether he ever actually gave a name to the group. In one passage he applies the term “wings to self-Awakening” to the five faculties [§77]; and in two passages [§§24-25] he makes reference to the seven Wings to Awakening, which may or may not denote the seven sets. Nevertheless, given the fact that the Buddha called the five faculties wings to self-Awakening, and all seven sets are equivalent to the five faculties, the name “Wings to Awakening” for all seven seems appropriate. This was the name that they definitely had in early post-canonical texts, such as the Petakopadesa, and that they have maintained ever since.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2012-01-01T07:23:11+00:00). The Wings to Awakening: An Anthology from the Pali Canon (Kindle Locations 1404-1410). Metta Forest Monastery. Kindle Edition.

Jhananda:

I think the above is Thanissaro's invention.  I could be wrong.  It would be useful to have a sutta quote to unravel the knotted thread of Thanissaro's commentary.

Above are all the comments I could find that Thanissaro makes about the seven sets being classified under the 5 faculties in his book. I will email him asking if it's his idea, if not, I'll ask if he can provide a suttic reference. (Just found out that he can only be contacted through regular mail, so we'll have to wait on this one.)

[Jhanananda]

I was a heavy drinker for many years, as a result of being bipolar, until 2 years ago - I managed to stop drinking completely. The bipolar is under control with small doses of medication.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well.  For me, it was simply a clinical diagnosis for the Dark Night of the Soul.  Getting through my Dark Night of the Soul required traversing it "bareback," which means, no meds.  Interesting that I received a link this morning for the music of Emily Maguire, who also has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  I am listening to her music right now as I type this response.

Well, the alcohol nearly killed me, and I developed cirrhosis of the liver, and fortunately now is also under control.

Sorry to hear about the alcoholism, but I can see how we tend to self-medicate through the Dark Night of the Soul.  Until I turned 21 I did every thing I could to bury my suffering under a mountain of drugs and alcohol.  It did not work; however, taking up the contemplative life did.

It was this suffering that led me to explore meditation and the Pali Cannon over a year ago, and both have straightened me out - completely. I now live an organized, well disciplined life, where there is meaning, purpose, and direction in everything.

After ending my period of drug and alcohol addiction, it was reading the writing of the mystics, and writing my poetry, that were the thin threads that I held upon through my Night of the Soul.  I had not stumbled upon the Pali Cannon until 2000.  It is good to read that you too have taken up the contemplative life, and have gained from doing so.

I suppose one's own suffering propels one into either further delusion and suffering, as in the case of your sister, or, as in my case, into a near state of non-delusion and suffering. But this suffering for me has subsided to a large degree, and hopefully, in this life, I will achieve freedom from suffering, but this is unlikely, but hopefully the next.

As I see it from your writing and your inquiry, you are well on your way to freedom.

Anyways, samsara is just as bad here in the north country as it is down south in your country. Everybody seems to get a good dose of it.

This is surely hell.

Alright, I'm a little confused on the seven sets. I got maybe half of the big picture. I like what you're saying - it's really the best explanation I've seen, so far - it's a real gem. But somethings aren't clear, and I can't seem to formulate any new questions. So, let's start over. This is at the heart of the teachings. So it's important for us to understand it correctly. A suggestion, why don't you write a short essay on the 7 sets showing how everything works, fits together, the practice of, etc., and explain it for us in detail, if you have the time? Take all the time you want, a few days, a week, or a month, however long it takes. Going about it the way we have gives us a fragmented, disorganized picture, I think.

I will work on it, but, frankly, no one can understand it except by living the Noble Eightfold Path to fruition.  Clearly just putting the robs on has not done it for most priests.

Nowhere in the Canon does the Buddha list the seven sets of teachings under the name of Wings to Awakening. He mentions the seven sets as a group many times when he is summarizing his main teachings, but there is no firm evidence as to whether he ever actually gave a name to the group.

I suspect that the idea of the 37 Philosophies to a Swift Awakening are a post canonical attempt to systematize Siddhartha Gautama's teaching.  Nonetheless, it seems like a good idea to package it, so I will work on a GWV version of the package.

[Michel]

Jhananda:

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well.  For me, it was simply a clinical diagnosis for the Dark Night of the Soul.  Getting through my Dark Night of the Soul required traversing it "bareback," which means, no meds.

The meds I take for my bipolar are of low dose and have no side effects whatsoever, I am totally lucid. So I think this is not a problem, but what do you think?
Jhananda:

I suspect that the idea of the 37 Philosophies to a Swift Awakening are a post canonical attempt to systematize Siddhartha Gautama's teaching.  Nonetheless, it seems like a good idea to package it, so I will work on a GWV version of the package.

I and, I am sure, many others will benefit from your ideas on the 37 Philosophies to a Swift Awakening. I look forward to your essay.

[Jhanananda]

The meds I take for my bipolar are of low dose and have no side effects whatsoever, I am totally lucid. So I think this is not a problem, but what do you think?

Do what works for you, and learn to follow your intuition (insight). 

Me going through my depression without psychiatric meds was the hard way, but it worked for me.  I got bliss in spades, all 8 stages of the religious experience, and full liberation, doing it my way.  On the other hand I am sure that the psychiatric profession would dismiss me as fully psychotic.

I and, I am sure, many others will benefit from your ideas on the 37 Philosophies to a Swift Awakening. I look forward to your essay.

Coming soon.

[Michel]

When one develops and cultivates the N8P, all the "Seven Sets of Thirty-seven Qualities" are fulfilled:

“1Bhikkhus, just as various winds blow in the sky—easterly winds, westerly winds, northerly winds, southerly winds, dusty winds and dustless winds, cold winds and hot winds, gentle winds and strong winds —so too, when a bhikkhu develops and cultivates the Noble Eightfold Path, then for him the four establishments of mindfulness go to fulfilment by development; the four right strivings go to fulfilment by development; the four bases for spiritual power go to fulfilment by development; the five spiritual faculties go to fulfilment by development; the five powers go to fulfilment by development; the seven factors of enlightenment go to fulfilment by development.
“2And how is this so? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops right view ... right concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that when a bhikkhu sn.v.50 develops and cultivates the Noble Eightfold Path, then for him the four establishments of mindfulness … the seven factors of enlightenment go to fulfilment by development.