Preksha Dhyana: Therapeutic Thinking: [14] Exercise For Acquiring The Virtue Of Forbearance @ HereNow4U

Forbearance is an aspect of self-control that enables one to endure provocation, suffering or any other unpleasant vicissitudes of life. It indicates a determined effort against giving vent to intense feeling stressing on self-controlled abstinence from hasty or ill-tempered action, whatever the provocation. It is a positive virtue of great moral and social value and should not be construed as a negative passive submission (say due to failure of nerve). It is an ability of the inner consciousness to endure physical pain and mental anguish with complete equanimity. In practice, it enables one to present a noble and dignified response to misfortune and other vicissitudes of life. Development of this virtue results in a more balanced equilibrium and equanimity towards pleasant and unpleasant aspects of life.

Instructions for Exercise

1-2.	Steps 1-2 as in exercise no.l
3-4.	Steps 3-4 as in exercise no. 9, except that the colour to be visualized and inhaled is the peacock-neck blue.
5.	Focus your full attention on the Centre of Enlightenment and repeat the following sentences first loudly (nine times) and then mentally (nine times): My forbearance is being reinforced. My equanimity is increasing.
6.	Contemplate on the desirability of acquiring this virtue on the following lines: The physical sensations such as - seasonal changes sensations produced by disease; the mental sensations such as - sensations of pleasure and pain, sensations of comfort and discomfort; and the emotionaLsensations such as - opposing views opposing nature opposing taste - all these sensations affect me, but I should not be swayed by them. If I permit their influence to overwhelm me, it would inhibit my abilities. The lesser I am affected, the greater would be my strength. That is why development of forbearance is the key to my success in life.
7.	Step no. 7 as in exercise no. 1