| When we refer to developing virtues what we | | | | 5. In this series you are presented with a number |
| really mean is that we are going to remove all | | | | of descriptions of how one might, feel think and |
| obstacles to experiencing our innate spiritual | | | | act when he or she has perfected specific |
| nature. We are actually uncovering what is | | | | qualities. You may want to write your own |
| naturally already within us. Our natural state is one | | | | descriptions. These function as inner thought |
| of pure love, truth, righteousness and peace. Our | | | | forms allowing us to develop inwardly towards |
| basic spiritual nature which has been covered by | | | | that image which we have in our minds. Such |
| our fear and defense mechanisms. This is why it | | | | descriptions can be written or spoken onto a |
| is said that man is created in the image and | | | | cassette and then read or listened to daily before |
| likeness of divine. | | | | sleeping and or upon waking, This will strengthen |
| This is also the reason we seek this qualities in | | | | these qualities within us. 6. We can relax our mind |
| ourselves and others. We seek the perfection | | | | and focus on a specific quality and ask that our |
| which is actually within us: we seek our true self. | | | | subconscious present a visual symbol for that |
| We will never feel totally happy and satisfied until | | | | quality. We can then draw it at place it where we |
| we manifest our loving and peaceful selves in our | | | | can see it daily so that we are reminded of that |
| daily reality. We must however avoid the traps of | | | | symbol daily. 7. Relaxation techniques in general |
| pride and guilt in this process. Our religious | | | | bring us into contact with inner peace and clarity, |
| education is usually laced with feelings of spiritual | | | | thus augmenting all positive qualities within us. We |
| pride when we can act righteously and guilt when | | | | have a wide variety of possible visualizations for |
| we cannot. | | | | this purpose. Note: |
| I would suggest that such an approach is not the | | | | The mind may at times, rebel against the |
| best. Both pride and guilt are based on the ego | | | | development of various qualities out of fear that |
| and comparing ourselves with others and also | | | | it will lose some comforts or imagined forms of |
| with an image of our possibly perfect self. Fear is | | | | security or self-worth. If the mind reacts in |
| often the motive to be "good". Being "good" out | | | | negative ways we will need to be objective |
| of fear, it has no value. Only when we are free | | | | witnesses and find a balance between moving |
| to chose to be good out of love and the | | | | forward and allowing the mind to feel secure. |
| realization that we are all one being, can we speak | | | | We neither want to suppress ourselves nor do |
| of actual goodness. | | | | we want to remain stagnant. We need to find a |
| Also we are not worthier or more lovable | | | | friendly balance with our subconscious and inner |
| because we are loving, truthful and peaceful. All | | | | child. 8. Meditation can bring us into contact with |
| beings regardless of ability and ethics have the | | | | higher aspects of our nature. With time this daily |
| same divine worth as expressions on one divine | | | | contact will transform our personality. 9. |
| consciousness. We are simply freer and happier | | | | Contemplation is a process in which we focus on |
| when we are ethical and loving. We are not longer | | | | a specific quality or teaching and seek to |
| controlled by our fears and defense mechanisms. | | | | understand its deeper meaning and application in |
| Let us approach this goal of inner perfection | | | | our lives. Such understanding enables us to live |
| without pride and guilt or self-rejection viewing it a | | | | this quality much more fully. For example is we |
| process of self-maturation and self-liberation from | | | | are contemplating on "Love" we might ask: a. |
| our ignorance and weakness. Let us view it a path | | | | What is Love? b. What does it mean to love one's |
| of joy and discovery as we free ourselves from | | | | spouse, child, parent, friend, neighbor etc? c. When |
| whatever obstructs our love, peace, truthfulness, | | | | do I behave without love? In which situations and |
| humility and kindness. | | | | in relationships to which persons or behaviors? d. |
| We can do this alone but it is often much more | | | | Where do I want to love more deeply and or |
| successful in groups. A group can mirror us and | | | | steadily? e. What do I need to do or believe in |
| help us to see ourselves more clearly. Also it can | | | | order to love even in those above-mentioned |
| support us in this process. | | | | situations? 10. We can analyze why we lose our |
| Let us also remember that we can be responsible | | | | love, peace of ability to be truthful in various |
| only for the quality of the effort and not for the | | | | situations, seeking to discover the fears and |
| results. | | | | beliefs which cause us to become defensive or |
| The family of Spiritual Qualities Spiritual qualities or | | | | closed. Having discovered those aspects of |
| virtues are like rays which radiate outward in | | | | ourselves, we can move forward to changing |
| different directions from a common center. They | | | | them. 11. Behaving as if we have already |
| all originate in our inner self and penetrate into our | | | | developed a quality can help us to align ourselves |
| personality. Developing any virtue brings forth all | | | | with it. Most religions follow this path of adjusting |
| the others. With faith we feel secure and are | | | | our behavior. This can be useful but can also |
| enabled to feel love and understanding and | | | | create a split personality. We need to align our |
| compassion, selflessness and peace. These are all | | | | behavior to our highest values but also at the |
| aspects of our inner being. One enables the other. | | | | same time be honest to ourselves about what is |
| Ways in which we can develop our virtuous | | | | going on within us. 12. Selfless service towards |
| nature 1. Group work is very important and | | | | those who are in need is a wide field for |
| helpful. Our present society does not encourage | | | | developing various spiritual qualities. We are able to |
| us to develop love and truthfulness. We are | | | | see our ego more clearly and can learn to put |
| taught that we have to be distrusting and | | | | others' needs above our comforts. We have the |
| defensive if we do not want to be used, hurt or | | | | ability then to develop selflessness - an extremely |
| cheated. We need a support group of others who | | | | important inner quality. 13. Imagining that we are |
| have the same goal in order to achieve this goal. | | | | the other and seeking to determine his or her |
| This group can meet regularly (weekly is best) | | | | needs, feelings and beliefs enables us to develop |
| and discuss, share, pray, meditate, chant, or | | | | compassion, understanding and love. Once we are |
| contemplate on the spiritual truths which enable us | | | | free from identifying exclusively with ourselves, |
| to be fearless in world. 2. We can pray for help in | | | | we can then be more aware of the others. This |
| developing the qualities which seek. 3. We can | | | | is basic to spiritual development 14. Developing |
| read the scriptures of the various religions as well | | | | inner security is also basic to spiritual growth. Inner |
| as the lives of persons who have been living | | | | security is a prerequisite too love, peace, |
| examples of the strength and clarity necessary | | | | truthfulness, selflessness and all other virtues. |
| for this development. 4. We can contemplate on | | | | 15. Self-acceptance is another extremely |
| the meaning of all teachings and how they might | | | | important prerequisite to feeling secure enough to |
| apply to our daily lives. | | | | love and understand others. |