Viriya: Practical Steps to Enhance Diligence, Perseverance and Effort
To be honest, I didn’t feel like writing or talking… It’s one of those waves where all I want to do is to be and be silent, yet at the same time my work is with people, involves lots of listening and talking. So as I took a breath, I remembered a sweet conversation I had about a week ago with an amazing human, teacher and co-worker of mine and the word came back to surface, “Viriya”.
"Viriya" is a Pali term that is often translated as "effort," "energy," "diligence," or "perseverance" in the context of Buddhist practice. It is one of the key qualities cultivated on the path to enlightenment and is part of the Noble Eightfold Path under the category of Right Effort (Sammā Vāyāma). Viriya involves the persistent application of energy in the pursuit of spiritual growth, ethical conduct, and mental development.
To break it down a little bit more:
1.Effort: The continuous and determined application of energy towards a goal.
2.Perseverance: The unwavering commitment to maintain effort over time, despite challenges and difficulties.
3.Diligence: Careful and persistent work or effort, ensuring that one's actions are thorough and attentive.
So I took another breath and started writing… It is surely easier said than done, but these steps can help.
Three Steps to Build or Achieve Viriya
1.Setting Clear and Meaningful Goals:
- Define specific, realistic, and attainable spiritual or personal goals.
- Understand the importance and benefits of these goals to stay motivated.
- Use reflection and meditation to deepen your understanding of these goals and their alignment with your values.
2.Consistent Practice and Incremental Progress:
- Establish a regular practice routine that incorporates mindfulness, meditation, ethical behavior, and other spiritual practices.
- Start with small, manageable steps to build confidence and avoid burnout.
- Gradually increase the intensity and duration of practice as your capacity for effort strengthens.
3.Cultivating Supportive Conditions and Mindsets:
- Surround yourself with supportive environments and communities that encourage your practice and effort.
- Develop a positive mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
- Practice self-compassion and patience, acknowledging that setbacks and difficulties are part of the journey.
By focusing on these steps, you can cultivate Viriya, enabling yourself to maintain and sustain your efforts towards spiritual and personal development, especially when you hit the wall.
Now tell me, how do you cultivate Viriya on daily basis?
Looking for more support, nourishing your body and building a strong and healthy foundation?
Email me: info@nousahsalimi.com
Much love,
Nousha