PIYAVADANA

To have a successful life, we must organize our life within the framework of the Noble Eightfold Path. (https://www.satipatthana.net/noble-eightfold-path)

Then, we can best realize our immediate aims by drawing up an individual life plan in keeping with our powers and circumstances. This life plan must be realistic. It must envisage a realistic development of our innate potential, steering us towards the fullest actualization of our possibilities.

At the start, we need an honest understanding of ourselves. The more we find out about ourselves, by self-observation and self-examination, the better will be our chances of self-improvement. We should ask ourselves how far and to what degree we are generous, kind, even-tempered, considerate, honest, sober in morals, truthful, diligent, energetic, industrious, cautious, patient, tolerant, and tactful. These are the qualities of a well-developed human, the qualities we ourselves should emulate.

We need to improve ourselves wherever we are weak. A little practice everyday is all that is necessary. We should remember that the more often an action is performed, the easier it becomes for us to perform it in the future and the stronger becomes the tendency to do it again and again until it becomes a habit, an ingrained part of our character.

Whenever we are able to practise this, we will have more mindfulness and we can overcome our weaknesses and negativities and we can have a successful human life for the well-being of ourselves and others.

May all sentient and celestial beings in the universe enjoy happiness.