Paths/Buddhism, From Ground to Awakening (Sutta-First)/The Seven Awakening Factors (SN 46)
Module 9.160 min

Nutriments: What Feeds Awakening vs What Feeds Hindrances

This is the ‘cause and effect’ module for inner development.

Learning Outcome

Actively engineer your conditions to feed awakening factors using the text’s own causal language.

Core Teachings

Key concepts with source texts

The texts repeatedly frame mind-states as dependent on nutriments. That makes your lifestyle part of the method, not separate from it.

From the Source Texts

""There is nutriment for the arising of unarisen... hindrances, and for the increase of arisen hindrances...""
SN 46.51 (Āhāra Sutta)Translation: Sujato

Commentary

This is straight conditionality. No mysticism needed.

Practice This

Make a two-column list: ‘feeds hindrances’ vs ‘feeds awakening factors’ in your life. Change ONE nutriment this week and observe the result.

Study Materials

Primary sources with guided reading

ReadSuttaCentral

SN 46 — Bojjhaṅga-saṁyutta (Awakening Factors)

Study especially SN 46.51 and surrounding suttas for causal framing.

Reflection & Critical Thinking

Write your thoughts before revealing answers

Consider these points:

  • •Which nutriments are under your control today?
  • •Which you can adjust gradually?
  • •How does this reframe compassion toward yourself and others?

Your Thoughts

Writing your thoughts first will deepen your understanding

This supports the next module: liberation stages and fetters.
AI Bridge Notes

Bridge notes help connect the resources and show how they relate to the learning outcome.

AI-generated notes synthesize the lesson outcome and resource summaries. Human-reviewed before publishing.

Knowledge CheckTest your understanding

SN 46.51 frames mind states primarily as:

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