The Second Base of Miraculous Powers: Persistence

Week of April 10, 2005 – The Second Base of Miraculous Powers: Persistence

The Second Base of Miraculous Powers is persistence or vigorous effort; this is the tenth aid (of the third set) to enlightenment.

Psychology 101: Human beings, in general, live first to satisfy the basic necessities for survival (i.e. food, shelter, health). Next, they live in response to the external environment and habitual tendencies (i.e. sports, hobbies, interests). Thereafter, time and effort may be devoted to satisfy spiritual needs.

In the beginning of our practice we have to consciously put in time and effort. When we first start meditation or perform daily liturgy, a lot of our energy or effort will be consumed, and we may feel tired or exhausted after practice. After a period of continuous cultivation, if we can find the right key and practice correctly, we should be able to generate energy from the practice instead of expending it

All of our wandering thoughts, emotional instabilities, worries, anxiety and stress drain our energy. With concentration, we are able to settle down or slow down our thoughts and our bodily functions: thus we can conserve our energy naturally. So, if we have been cultivating for a while and we are still losing rather than gaining energy, or we are not able to persist in our practice, it is an indication that we are not getting the key points or practicing correctly.

The miraculous power of persistence serves both as an indicator as well as the driving force in the pursuit of the Truth. There are at least three dimensions to it, one is the continuation and consistency of regular practice (e.g. doing it on a daily basis for ten years, twenty years), the other is the increase in the length of the practice (e.g. from 20 minutes to 2 hours, 20 hours), the third is the application to other practices (e.g. have vigorous efforts in other aspects of our lives as well). Many practitioners assume they have realized the joy of Dharma/practice. Nevertheless if they cannot keep on cultivating, the joy that they realize is just a short term sensation. When we have actually realized the Joy, this Joy will entice us to further practice.

Rewards play an important role in where we put our effort. Some people cultivate or do good deeds so that they will reborn in better places after death, or have a better future life. Some people do good deeds and expect immediate good results/consequences. But for someone who lives in the moment, the act itself is rewarding enough; the subsequent karma is secondary although still substantial.

We need to put vigorous effort into our practice, and, consequently, rightful practice generates persistence and power. So which is the chicken and which is the egg? Here is another example of living in the moment as well as of simultaneous cause and effect.