The Four Bases For Success by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu

Toward the end of his life, the Buddha gave a list of the seven most important teachings that he wanted his monastic and lay followers to continue to practice in order to keep the Dhamma alive. On the list were the four bases for success. Nowadays, though, you hardly hear any reference to the bases for success at all. This may be due to the fact that they deal directly with concentration, whereas in modern Dhamma, mindfulness practice and concentration practice have been separated, and concentration has been downplayed. Also, when you look at the list of qualities included under the bases for success, you find only one that’s emphasized in modern mindfulness. That’s intentness. The other three-desire, effort, using your powers of judgment-are all considered antithetical to proper mindfulness practice as it’s generally taught now. But they’re a necessary part of concentration-and they’re also a necessary part of mindfulness as the Buddha taught it himself.
The Four Bases For Success by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu of Metta Forest Monastery, redone to video format with permission.