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FEATURES | EASTERN HORIZON 49

arising and disappearing. where faith, focus, and tenacity E.F.F.O.R.T.S. consolidate,
This observation is passive, contribute to this long-term complement, solidify, and enhance
detached, non-reactive and sustained awareness and the practice of mindfulness. This
non-judgmental. But it is where the informal practice is to ensure that it is quality
intentional and conscious of mindfulness supports this awareness, thus enabling right
observation noticing what is sustainability of awareness to mindfulness to be met in the
happening all the time. The continue practicing without a practice and provide a clarity on
observation can be both active formal retreat and guidance of the characteristics of non-self,
and passive depending on the the master/instructor. impermanence, and suffering
faculties involved. within elements of the Noble
A point to note is that in Eightfold Path.
 Reflection and Recollection: E.F.F.O.R.T.S., the words of the
The observations will then acronym are not in order, but can E.F.F.O.R.T.S. is not a suggestion to
be followed up by reflections take place anywhere anytime incorporate any new extra practices
and recollections from the consecutively or concurrently. into the fundamental practices
experiences. It draws on the It depends on each individual of mindfulness and its associated
memory capacity of mindfulness practitioner’s circumstances during practice of meditation. It is to
to recall the experience as well practice each moment of the day. recognize that it is there when
as what the teacher/master Experience, for example, is there mindfulness is put into practice
taught during his guidance all the time. It comes with each and as part of its process together
and interview sessions. It every activity as the primary object with the normal mindfulness and
is through these reflections of mindfulness. meditation activities. It operates
and recollections that the in the background supporting,
practitioner learns, improves, Nonetheless, E.F.F.O.R.T.S. is not complementing, and strengthening
refines, adapts and strengthens solely related to satipaṭṭhāna those activities, regardless of the
his practice. The feedbacks practice, but also to all other types formal, non-formal, and informal
contribute to learning, which of mindfulness and meditation modes.
then leads to insight knowledge, practices including those on
wisdom, awakening and lovingkindness (Mettā) meditation, For a beginner, E.F.F.O.R.T.S. gets
eventually enlightenment. and other secular forms of them to get on the right track and
mindfulness practices. It is on framework for their journey of
 Tenacity: Mindfulness requires active mode mentally and passive practice with the right purpose
the quality of not giving up physically when doing sitting and intention. For experienced
easily and continue with meditation; active physically and practitioners, E.F.F.O.R.T.S. support
determination, persistence mentally when doing walking them to stay within the track and
and perseverance. That is why meditation; and passive mode framework while avoiding and
it requires the three holistic mentally and passively when diverting astray and off the track.
formal, non-formal, and doing informal daily activities in The truth though is that with or
informal modes of practice. everyday life. without realizing it, E.F.F.O.R.T.S.
is already within your practice
 Sustained awareness: In Conclusion and here to stay. But by its
order to reap the benefits presence, the goal of succeeding
of mindfulness, the mind is This concept of E.F.F.O.R.T.S should the mindfulness/meditation and
required to have sustained be examined deeply and critically dhamma goals are brighter. And it
attention on the object(s) for to understand why and how is self-empowering. EH
as long as possible. This is they relate to right mindfulness.