Awareness
Awareness is the quality of consciousness one brings to bear on the object of perception.
It is a skill that can be cultivated to higher degrees. This skill allows you to be able
to identify, and acknowledge the existence of an emotion, good or bad, without
becoming entangled or overwhelmed by it.
Diligence
Diligence is, constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken, as in
ones duty or 'Dharma'. Diligence is an ongoing affair. There is no such thing as
failing in one's duty. Evolution of consciousness never stops hence you will always
be presented with the opportunity to be engaged in your duty. The only challenge is
that the stakes get higher. But this is not necessarily a bad thing.
If your duty was to be a good parent and you failed at it. You universe may burden you
with the Duty of creating something that evolves the consciousness of millions of people.
Remember, diligence in duty is never about you. It is selfless service.
So while you may be successful in fulfilling the higher duty bestowed upon you, does
not mean your material desires will be fulfilled as a result of that. It is the personal
attachment, or aversion that often prevents us from doing our duty.
Equanimity
Equanimity is a state of mind which is tranquil, and remains unruffled or unaffected
by both, pain or pleasure. It is important to remember that pleasure, or
the pursuit of pleasure is not good either.
Every time we achieve what we have been pursuing, a shot of dopamine is released in our
brain, which gives us a nice buzz. This produces feelings of excitement and exhilaration.
This is known as positive reinforcement.
The feeling of an ‘adrenalin rush’ is a product of the sympathetic system. It may feel good
at first, but is always followed by a feeling of fatigue and depression, as this system
uses up energy and depletes the body.
Introspection
Introspection is the earnest enquiry by you, seeking an unbiased report from the impartial
soul as you review your daily experiences. By honest questioning, you analyze your,
thoughts, words, and intentions, and assess the strength and weakness of your of your
fears and insecurities; as well as your loving and compassionate tendencies without
judgement or bias.
Optimistic
Optimism is keeping hope and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of
something that is life-giving while never forgetting that the level of effort and due
diligence is under your control, while the outcome never is. This way you will keep
despair from knocking on your door.
Patience
Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry
or upset, if your desires are not fulfilled, when you want it to. Patience does not come
naturally. It takes practice.
Perseverance
Perseverance is the will to stand steadfast in the pursuit of a noble cause despite difficulty, anguish,
ridicule, or delay in achieving success. If the cause is not noble then steadfastness in its
pursuit is not perseverance but greed.
Purity
Aspiration to live a Taint free life. Bodily, mentally, spiritually. Purification literally
means to melt, as in refining ore. The purpose of purification is not pain or penance,
but to deliberately refine one's life, to melt it down and recast it into a higher order
of purity and spirituality. The goal is very important, it is not self-punishment but
refinement - to shift from human existence into Divinity!
Willingness
Willingness is the the mental state of readiness to do that which is good, and in accordance with universal spiritual principles of life.