Steadfastness is firm continuance in a course of action. I practice it by being strongly committed to a sound and dharmic plan, not giving up when I meet obstacles, but using willpower to overcome them. The opposite is the tendency to give up.§
Comparing the actions of one who is steadfast to one who tends to give up§ |
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|---|---|---|
Situation§ |
Steadfastness§ |
Tendency to Give Up§ |
Having received treatment and advice for back pain, you…§ |
follow the doctor’s advice day after day, even though it is painful.§ |
start strong, but on the third day abandon the regimen.§ |
Having failed the driver’s license test twice, you…§ |
arrange for a personal mentor and later pass the test without error.§ |
figure you gave it your best shot and buy a bike.§ |
Two historic storms hit your town just months apart, demolishing your home, and you…§ |
remind yourself why you chose this neighborhood and rebuild a second time.§ |
change your mind about this neighborhood, and move to a town with fewer opportunities.§ |
Gurudeva explained: “The sixth yama is dhriti, steadfastness. To be steadfast, you have to use your willpower. Willpower is developed easily in a person who has an adequate memory and good reasoning faculties. To be steadfast as we go through life, we must have a purpose, a plan, persistence and push. Then nothing is impossible within the circumference of our prarabdha karmas.”§
“Siva’s devotees approach each enterprise with deliberate thoughtfulness, and act only after careful consideration. They succeed in every undertaking by having a clear purpose, a wise plan, persistence and push.”§
ASSIGNMENT: During these next two weeks, watch to see if you start something and then abandon it when you hit an obstacle. When that happens, find a way to overcome the obstacle and continue on.§
Date you began this assignment ____________________§
MY THOUGHTS ON THE BENEFITS OF STEADFASTNESS: 
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