“Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it
takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.” Helen Keller Tolerance is a power that works deeply underground.
It is one of the greatest tools in our daily life – a tool for life itself. Each of us has a toolbox containing the
eight powers of life. In this third of a series of eight, we discuss what tolerance is and how to make the
best use of it. When I am silent inside there is space for tolerance. Where there is love, there is openness,
where there is openness, there is space for tolerance.

                        Tolerant people are often thought of as weak, however, the greatness of a person is
revealed through their capacity to tolerate. Tolerance is like a water tank; everyone has his own tank and
is responsible for topping up the tank with the water of patience. With this water of patience the tank starts
to overflow and tolerance becomes abundant. Many people want to prove that they are right, that the
other person is wrong. A tolerant person never needs to prove anything. ‘The truth will always out’ is a
very old proverb and if I understand it then I can accept others exactly the way they are. Let me be the
one to change my attitude towards others and be more loving, kind and understanding.

                        Tolerance is based on going beyond the superficial things that divide us. We tend to blame
others for our bad feelings but let me look within and get to know myself. When I am intolerant and accept
that actually I am angry, then things will start to change. Let me be unselfish and be concerned about
others’ needs so I can handle anything. We often say, ‘I need to be understood’ but what we should say is
*1 need to understand’. Stop saying ‘they should change’ to ‘let me give what is needed’.* With such
different ways of thinking patience, peace and maturity develop. Spiritual tolerance cultivates innate
wisdom, the kind you can’t get from books.

Accuracy

                                             Accuracy is when you take the time to do your work thoroughly, and

without mistakes. There is the saying ‘There is never enough time to do it correctly, but there is

always enough time to do again.’ To be accurate means having the humility to read instructions

and follow procedures according to the prescribed methods whether for technology, for cooking,

meditation or study. Accuracy supports success. There is also a more subtle dimension, which is

connected to intuitive powers. Accuracy means to notice the subtle cues which occur in many

situations in life. These subtle signs and signals convey important information, but discretely.

Being in the right place at the right time is also a matter of accuracy. You hear the small voice

within that tells you if something is not quite right. When you disregard the voice, then you do

something careless or inaccurate. When you do act upon that voice, you may be pleasantly

surprised at how well things turn out.

CAREFREE
Accepting responsibility without feeling burdened by it may seem unrealistic. Yet is is possible

so long as I stay close to my inner self and strength. If I am willing to trust them, spiritual

principles and values work like an unseen hand guiding everything in a beneficial direction.

When I remain aware of this force at work, I can accept responsibility and strive to fulfill it

without worrying about the result. Then outcomes can be guaranteed to hold inherent benefit.

         Cheerfulness is such a quality that is not only keeps up the spirits of the man
who possesses but also is of service to others. We may say that it is a ‘serviceable’
quality. To have a laughing face we have to be as a swan. The swan, it is said picks
pearls that is takes the milk of a things, leaving the water. In the same way if man’s
eyes saw only the good qualities, leaving the bad one aside, if he gave up listening to
futile, watery talk taking the milk of a divine knowledge. Just as remembrance of a god
that is Yoga gives us joy so does one kind of vice or another or a mistake of ours
causes the disappearance of that joy. Hence if and when a useless thought strikes one,
unaccountable one should ward it off or place this confusion situation before one of the
senior. Also let us remember that it is no use continuing to cogitate over a lapse that
has already occurred, while saying to ourselves that unfortunately, we make mistake
and our spiritual state is not satisfactory. Pondering in this manner will not only wash out
the lapse but also will decrease the duration of mental pain due to this lapse.

The most important places to keep clean and tidy are my mind and heart. If I allow thoughts to

flourish that I wouldn't want to see the light of day, I can never have any real self-respect. By

starting each day in quiet reflection and pouring positive, loving thought into my mind, I

gradually clean out cynicism and unkindness. My mind should be so beautiful and welcoming

that God Himself would want to come and visit it

 Contentment

                               Contentment is a state of peaceful happiness. You have attained

wherever you wanted to attain and are carefree. Contentment develops as you come to

terms with and accept yourself. You distinguish need from greed and rake you discern

is necessary and appropriate. You are happy with simplicity of residence, clothing, food

and entertainment. Your self-respect and personal dignity keep you free from corrupting

influence and temptations. Contentment comes easily to a person who considers

themselves a trustee and that in reality everything belongs to the Divine. By freeing the

self from feeling of possessiveness, you are free from ear that your status, property or

influence may be taken away. You remain content in any situation, atmosphere or

vibration. External situations may change, you never disturbed because of your

contentment.

Co-operation

                           It is not a bargaining game in which one person’s success is

achieved at the expense or exclusion of the success of others. It is mutual benefit in

human interactions. It is everyone’s responsibility, yet it takes courage and strength to

facilitate the process. Great achievements are not accomplished alone but through the

collective input of talented minds and inspired hearts. Courage, consideration, caring

and sharing provide the foundation for the process of co-operation. Whenever there is

love people are ready to offer time, wealth and co-operation. If you are flexible it is very
 easy for you to cooperate with any one. One who cooperates receives Co-operation.

Co-operation ensures equanimity, empowerment, easiness and enthusiasm.

Courage
                       You need Courage to remain true to yourself in today’s artificial world. This is not a
small thing However , The very purpose of a spiritual study is to restore Courage The Courage to stand
for what you believe in our  original, true nature is of peace and divinity To experience this is to be
convinced of the absolute value of your intrinsic worth You can face any opposition with the strength of
your convictions Many people have difficulty believing in their higher self Others simply no longer believe
in the future Self- realization removes doubts My original nature is peace I am not a slave to my
personality traits I am a spectator as well as an actor in the Drama of life Whatever is happening is
beneficial As you can incorporate these truths into  your life. Your courage will never fail you.

                          Courage leads us to success. When we are involved in a task, we sometimes

experience setbacks. Such setbacks often make us lose our confidence and we no longer have
faith that we will succeed in the task. We then lose all courage to go ahead with the task and lose
every chance of achieving what we have to. We need to remind ourselves that we achieve
success to the extent that we have courage. We need to make effort to maintain our courage even
during the most difficult circumstances. Only when we do this will we continue to put in effort,
which will bring us success at the right time.

Detachment
                                          You need power to remain free from the influence of others. Detachment is this
power. If you can not stay detached from influences, you will not be able to keep your thought under control. From

there it will be a downward spiral until all trace of inner well-being is lost. The first step in detachment is to

understand who you are as a spiritual entity. This allows you to ‘detach’ yourself from your physical identity, and its

world of limited thoughts and feelings, and ‘attach; instead to your spiritual personality, the being of inner peace and

power. A normal day will be filled with challenges to this detachment. On the one side will be your spiritual

awareness but on the other will be the attraction towards human beings and the material world. Detachment is not a
question of becoming separate from the latter, but of simply remaining conscious of yourself as a spiritual being and

playing your part in the world. Detachment simply means to keep yourself centered in your spirituality

D etermination
                          Determination is the will to do what you want to do and make it happen
regardless of any obstacles or hurdles. You meet challenges with strength and clarity. You

consider your options carefully, decide for yourself and create your future with understanding.

You do what you judge to be right without hesitation. You recognize good opportunities when

they come act decisively and derive long term profit. You are attentive to your character and

moral philosophy and live according to the ethical policies you have set for yourself.

                                  Determination is powerful stability coupled with the intense will to

accomplish something. It means to carry out whatever you think is worthwhile,

regardless of opposition and obstacles. It is different from stubbornness which keeps

you stuck. Determination enables you to be flexible and move towards your goal,

whatever the odds. Determination brings the necessary resolve to accomplish your aim

without getting diverted or put off by distractions. Determination comes from clarity of

thought and a potent intention. You may have many internal resistances to overcome.

They take the form of vacillation, uncertainties, concern about what others might think or

do, doubt about whether you are able to accomplish the chosen task or confront

something or someone who intimidates you. With a firm determination makes success

certain. Your determination becomes an inspiration to others.

 
 Discipline

                                    Discipline means to adopt a practice and maintain that practice

with continuity. When you are disciplined you understand yourself and know your limits

whether physical, emotional or intellectual. You apply discipline in various ways to

increase your capacity at all levels. Any discipline that you fallow, whether physical

exercises, intellectual study or a spiritual practice, strengthens you and emerges your

latent abilities. Discipline also means to fulfil your commitments. If you make a vow or a

promise to yourself or to God, there will be always being resistance. Discipline means

you honour your commitment to your chosen ethical policy regardless of the

circumstances. 

EASINESS

As we grow in strength in our spiritual life, we give up the habit of worrying. It serves no

purpose other than to make us feel tense and miserable. When I stop fretting about things that are

beyond my control and focus instead on generating optimistic and kind thoughts, my life can

begin to flow in ever more positive directions. Such a light and easy approach to life enables me

to take everything in my stride

Far-sightedness

                           Far-sightedness means you look beyond into the future and perceive the

shape of things to come. You can discern the outcome of your actions and of

circumstances by seeing their trends. You see clearly which trends take you to a good

future and which trends will result in loss or chaos. Far-sightedness develops when you

understand the laws of action and reaction. These spiritual laws are fixed just as the
 laws of physics are fixed. You acknowledge their inevitability and choose your actions

accordingly. Far-sightedness is enhanced by a good understanding of human nature,

when you understand yourself and those around you it is easy to project into the future

and predict the outcome of your present actions. With Far-sightedness you are not

confused or misdirected by temporary set-backs. Far-sightedness makes you a good

director of activities as you are to know whom to trust with responsibilities. Your choices

and decisions are wise and timely.

Generosity
                                       Generosity emerges from the spiritual values on which you base your life. Your
principled actions create a substantial but intangible wealth that you can draw upon whenever required.

You are not afraid of scarcity you are hospitable. You do not heed the reports of someone’s misdeeds,

but watch, wait, and see for yourself. You give them the benefits of the doubt. You are kind. You have

greatness of spirit, do not condemn easily emotionally involved. You nurture the talents and qualities of

everyone.