One, is that we must start each day of our life with a set of rules and thoughts to abide by. This gives purpose, stability and develops virtue.
Two, pride is a delicate quality that must never be taken for granted. When you are proud of what you do, there is joy just in feeling that. However, whenever you are compelled to discuss a particular achievement to as many ears as you are able to grab -- then it is no longer pride, but vanity.
Three, the wise man knows nothing. A restatement of something I had said in an earlier post.
Four, superiority whether spiritually, financially, physically or by perceived virtue -- is again, an expression of vanity.
Five, enlightenment is an egotistical journey fraught with the temptations listed above.
Six, contentment is the only goal worth pursuing.
Seven, self-awareness is the most crucial attribute of all.
.. And, that's my brain dump right there. Part of what got me to thinking about all that, was the mood I was in at work. I was feeling happy, and it lead to cockiness, which made me a bit arrogant, and so forth.. This evolution and perversion of happiness prompted me to pause several times and remind myself of the importance of restraint.
One of the things I have learned many years ago, is that restraining your jubilation will sweeten your sense of humility and joy. Rather than expend your energy expressing the excitement of living, containing it however, will cause your body and mind to expend it inwardly.
That has been my experience with such an approach, of course. In a way, it feels a lot like putting your emotions into a pressure cooker. It will tenderize and flavour your soul in ways you can't imagine, but at the same time -- you must be mindful and wary of letting this trapped energy burst apart your seams. Because an outlet is definetely needed.
I found creative endeavours to be the ideal place to expend this excess. During the five or six months I have been consciously restraining myself (each morning I would force self-awareness of being grateful for another day of being alive) -- I noticed that music became more enjoyable. Conversations more profound. Purpose more defined. In short, it was a type of paradise within myself having low expectations and being undemanding each and every minute my eyes were open.
Though, the conditions for such an experiment involved my being unemployed for those months, I am convinced there must be a way to duplicate such results even among the stress of working full time, keeping a clean home, honouring family commitments and maintaining a social life.
It's not impossible. But.. mindfulness.. self-awareness..
Is so important.
