Factors of enlightenment

“As your mindfulness improves, you naturally begin to observe factors of enlightenment – the qualities of mind necessary to achieve the goal of the path. The Buddha practiced for many lifetimes to reach the utmost perfection of these factors in order to become a Buddha. The Seven Factors of Enlightenment are mindfulness, investigation, effort, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity. You have been cultivating these factors all along. As your mindfulness improves, they simply reach a higher level. The Seven Factors of Enlightenment are traditionally presented in the order in which they arise, because the development of each factor leads to the next.”

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha’s Path
Bhante Gunaratana