The theme we are examining in the September issue of the Newsletter is “Perseverance”. This word found its origin in the 14th century in the regions of England and France. It is derived from the root word, “persevere”, which means, “to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult”. Perseverance, as a noun, means, “the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult”.
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ perseverance).
The Mother refers to Perseverance as an “active patience” which is undaunted by disappointments and defeats, marching on with the certitude that what is sought after will be gained, no matter when, no matter how. This seems to be patience that is poised on the path of victory. It appears to be a quality, which, in order to be expressed, needs the being to be endowed with some other qualities, such as faith, determination and a stability within which knows how to wait. One wonders when such a stability of the being sets in. Is it in-born or can be nurtured over time? That experiences in life may nurture patience and stability of the being is something that one may be able to speak of, with confidence. The Mother refers to the vital as the determinant of how patient one is, how perseverant. Likes and dislikes, desires, and the seeking after comfort are some ways of the vital in one state of being. However, mastery over this nature of the vital is what gives rise to an effective condition of patience and stability in the vital, which helps it to endure discomfort and disappointments, supporting the expression of the quality of perseverance, The Mother offers a remedy to conquer the vital urges of grievances and disappointments and unhappiness over conditions contrary to what could have been, ideally. She says, “… just stop to consider how very happy you are, compared to so many in this world. Reflect for a moment on what the soldiers who fought in the last war had to go through. If you had to bear such hardships you would realise the utter silliness of your dissatisfactions.” However, She makes it clear that one need not invite difficulties for that reason, and continues, “… what I want is simply that you should learn to endure the little insignificant troubles of your life.”
In taking stock of one’s life experiences of the present moment, one can make out for oneself the level of patience within and when it is challenged, in what state of the being and how one can attempt to rise over a dark and shadowy state of being that denies stability of the mind and vital, establishing faith in a higher power that helps and guides and an unshakeable certitude of victory. These in themselves are qualities one works on before that quality of perseverance can be established. Children for one, can be caught in beautiful acts of perseverance, in simply trying and trying until they get at what they had wanted, as in taking the first few baby steps, or a toddler mastering the act of cycling or scaling a hill of considerable height.
For perseverance to be actualized, a sincere call for help is within our reach, and the other quality of aspiration too is there, with courage to take up the next necessary step for progresses from within towards a life worth offering to the Divine.
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