Perseverance is commitment to a goal. It consists of hard work and patience. Perseverance helps us to forge ahead in our work and achieve our goals despite obstacles and hindrances. When we do any work or aim towards a specific goal, there are always hindrances and obstacles. It starts from early childhood even when a baby tries to crawl, sit or walk. Only when the baby overcomes the hindrances with perseverance, can it successfully crawl, sit or walk. Trying to hold a pencil and a slate, forming the lines and curves with a chalk or pencil, writing the alphabets - all require hard work and patience. Endurance is essential to master any art, work or skill.
The progress in the modern world today is due to this wonderful quality of perseverance. Basic facilities that we take for granted are the fruits of extreme hard labor and perseverance despite seemingly endless failures. The light bulb without which we cannot even think of living is one such example of success due to perseverance. The light bulb has made night into day and we are able to work at times of our choice. We are not dependent on sunlight. Thomas Alva Edison who created it was not the first or the only person who tried to make it. But he was the only person who stuck to it despite failures and kept on trying till he succeeded. The invention of the telephone, radio and computers are all examples of men who did not give up despite numerous failures.
Difficulties are a part of life. We need to be able to bear up with them without complaints and calmly continue working. It is steadfast persistence with internal purpose that helps us to overcome difficulties. Only those with this quality can be successful in any aspect of life.
Perseverance is extremely important in the spiritual path. Spiritual growth is a long slow process and spans many years of patient work. We make the intent and start the journey. We never know when grace descends and when the journey ends. There are periods when we feel we do not make any progress and there is an impatience and anger from within and we feel like giving it up all. At such times, it is essential to persevere and keep on with the practices.
Practices of mantra japa take time to show results. The mantra vibrations work slowly but surely at the physical, mental, emotional and karmic levels. The results can be seen in a short time but being human, we seek miraculous effects in an instant. This is not generally possible unless the person was a Siddha in his previous birth. It takes many years of dedicated practice of mantra japa to get mantra siddhi. Meditation is another process which is slow and painstaking. It is watching the thoughts and not reacting to them and gradually moving on to higher states of consciousness.
Internal cleansing and purification is also a slow process. No one can change overnight. It is a long drawn process where pain and suffering teach us lessons of life. We learn how to avoid certain behavior patterns as they give us pain- physically, mentally and emotionally. We learn to overcome anger, lust, jealousy, vengefulness, attachment and pride. We learn to replace these vices with divine qualities of peace, compassion, selfless love, balance and bliss. This inner transformation takes place slowly and gradually. We cannot force such changes upon ourselves instantly. Patience and regular spiritual practices are essential.
The task of self transformation – from human to the divine level- is indeed not for the faint hearted. We should not run away as it is an extremely difficult task. Perseverance gives the ability to be steadfast and continue with self efforts. Grace and Goddess of Prosperity remain with those who never give up despite the daunting journey filled with difficulties. Let us work diligently and patiently on ourselves with the practices of SitaRam Manta, meditation and following the teachings of the Guru.
