Virya

  Willpower in Buddhism is sort of a grey area. First, we must understand the one thing it is not in Buddhism. Willpower isn't an act of forcing yourself to do something or restraining oneself from an activity. Willpower is an energy that can be depleted and replenished. Willpower, when exercised, takes time to act and requires a certain amount of understanding. What willpower really is may be a certain factor known to us as vigor or zeal and what Buddhists call virya. (The sixth element of the eightfold path, right effort.)

  Virya is something attributed to energy or exertion. Virya is something used towards wholesome activities, which in my mind, makes perfect sense. Diligence and and a devoted nature is something alluded to in Buddhist texts. Virya is something that can't be used to force your way into nirvana and such. Exertion is something you must practice constantly.  Virya is what makes or breaks. It is essential to walk the walk. In my experience everything I have achieved has came from a careful amount of virya. It is not unlike wrestling, where exertion is necessary.

  Even when learning we need virya. For me to commit teachings to my mind, I must exert my spirit.  When we exert ourselves, we might free ourselves from the world's exertion and maybe free ourselves from suffering. (Reference the blog before this one, the eightfold path.) Consider this. The effort needed to bring anything into light is exhaustive. The right effort is needed to do anything positive. Nothing good comes easy.
 
This is an abstract example. One goes to the grocery store to pick up food and household goods. We have a list made of what we need. We look around the store comparing brands and prices. We see some people we know and say hi with a smile. We come home, put away all the groceries. All this requires the right effort, some would say a whole lot of it. It can be stressful if you don't use the right amount of effort. Virya, as mentioned, is to be practiced constantly.

Virya guides us, leading us through the trials that run rampant in this world. When we lose virya, that is when suffering begins. Can we really face the world without all the attributes of a warrior? A true metaphysical warrior does not combat human foes and fights all the world and the ravages of the world. Light does not lead us but a calm and adept core will lead us to new heights. Even writing this down in hopes of passing it down to those who are eager to learn takes the right effort.

So it is safe to say that willpower and virya are different beasts, yet there is a correlation. The amount of right effort that we exert will determine how will you control your mind and ultimately what you achieve. Positive action will help you unlock the shackles of this world's suffering. Will you be amongst the clouds or will you be trampled upon by human, animal and the world itself? Fear of failure looms on the horizon, but also, so does true freedom.