Clarity in Concentration :

Meditation is one thing but unrelenting concentration is another.

To be able to stay focused , immovable and unwavering is more difficult and a different practice altogether.

It is to have a burning intention, a relentless dedication and a serious purpose...

When we actually attempt this practice what becomes obvious in the earlier stages is the power of our distractions...

The things that veer us from full presence in the moment and remove us from our inner focus...

These same things are the things that hinder us in our external manifestations....

ALL grab our attention and fragment our focus.....

And whether it be dealing with ourselves or staying engaged with others, we often tend to check out , using all those "distractions" as methods of avoidance...

WRONG FOCUS....

True Distillation:

ALL things are temporary...

Resentments serve No one...

Forgiveness is the "path"...

Love is the most potent "medicine"...

and

KINDNESS is the supreme vehicle...

When we finally...REALLY...come to terms with what is important, precious and everlasting ...

Then we will see clearly...

STRONG  ROOTS :

My Master used to say:

100 days.......the seeds...

1000 days.....the roots...

10,000 days...the flowers.

In order for a tree to have flexible branches , it must have strong roots...

but the KEY is the "soil" that one plants things in...

If the "mind ground" is pure and fertile, than the seeds will germinate and create strong deep roots...

with strong roots grows a stable trunk...

with a stable trunk, the branches can be flexible and open...

with the branches flexible and open then the flowers are fragrant and beautiful...

So the key is the initial deeper work...

when there is an internal strength based on balance then there is external actualization created from that work...

Many "leaves" [ people] fall off due to poor grounding and lack of root..

They move with the slightest wind [ circumstance] and dont bear the fruit of fragrant flowers [actualization]...

Bless them.......and let them fly...

Consistent structure, daily practice and right view will create forward motion while self belief and concentration will achieve definite progress...

THIS the transformative way of  "looking far and perceiving Grandness..."

THAT is the sweetness ..........those are the 'Fragrant flowers" of actualization...

The DEEPEST  IMPACT :

the deeper the imprint , the more potent the impact....

and the more challenging the test........

Hence , the more penetrating the lesson is, hopefully, the greater is the realization...

It is usually the most uncomfortable lesson that brings the greatest realization...

If one is truly ready to be open , honest and realistic about the transmitted information[ like it or not ]...Then real release, clarity and growth can be attained...

And here's the irony.........

The clarity and knowledge that comes from THAT deep lesson is often the same clarity and knowledge that we advise others to seek.....

Hmmmm............

Boundaries , Clarity, Selflessness, respecting the wishes of others even if it makes us personally uncomfortable ;

That is the level of integrity and respect that should be maintained always..

Especially when it comes to us following those principles that we, ourselves, emphasize to others.......

Talk is cheap compared to action.

So,  Character Excellence and Personal Brilliance is the best illustration of this comprehension and application...... 

To follow one's own best advice is the strongest [ and often the most difficult] practice.....

But then,  words need not be said.......

Spiritual Integrity :

The truth is, we all have values that are important to us but often we lose confidence in our beliefs due to outside influence and external conditions..

WRONG PRACTICE....

There is a state of mind and heart that is crystal clear about one‘s higher self and our core values because it is NOT affected by the fluctuation of external condition...

It is a state of inner balance and appropriate self confidence...

It is based on the true nature of things and the acceptance of what is...as opposed to what one would like them to be ...

THAT acceptance is a powerful awareness...

And so,  spiritual fitness is based on the clarity to look within...and also to clearly see what is actually transpiring in the world around us....

And to NOT attach to an unrealistic expectation that is actually self created....

Integrity is a wholeness of self.....

where the Heart, Spirit, Mind and Body are in alignment 

and your  “ feet match your mouth“...

In other words...what you say... is what you actually do..

That alone is a profound skill...