Qualities of a STUDENT
Willing to change
Able to change
Remember Lessons
Listens Well
Generous
not fearful
brave, confident
Not Shy
Self-Determinate
Strong Frame
Secure, Confident
Self-motivated
SELF-DISCIPLINE
Be patient
DISCERNMENT
When reading or speaking strong truths, hair may stand up all over the body, and further, stand higher in proportion to the degree of truth invoked.
When you speak a wrong word, or allow ego to run wild momentarily, words may choke in the throat, cutting off the ability to breathe. Quickly, apologize and pray for forgiveness, feeling an invisible hand reaching into the throat and removing the obstruction.
These gifts work better and are revealed more when eating less, to the point of fasting, and giving self away in service to others. The test comes when fear of insufficency for self comes up against the desire to share and give to others, for who would give all the life included? What would be left for self? And that's the point.
Not so much a list that the master judges students with, in order to test whether they are ready for instruction, and practice, but for the students themselves, to develop those qualities that are required for fitness, and performance.
1. Intelligence, Comparison, Ability, Discernment, Knowledge, Understanding, Participation - the wisdom to realize the teachings are true.
2. Effort, determination, perseverence, Diligence, persistence.
3. Compassion, consideration, connection, concern for the benefit of all beings.
3. Open-mindedness, innocence, open, receptive, acceptance.
4. Absorbtive, Retentive, good memory, willing to try, humility and respect.
5. Patience with oneself, others, and the pace of spiritual progress.
9. Non-attachment, letting go of clinging to material possessions, ideas, and ego.
FEELINGS
Joy, Enthusiasm
Equanimity, Mental Stability, a calm and balanced mind, free from extreme emotional disturbances.
Don't get too excited when good things happen, strenghtening and practicing equanimity, to grow beyond apparent polarity.
Diminish and master pride, ego.
Don't be over self-interested, self-centered, egotistical, focus on others
CHARACTER
open-minded
show honor and gratitude.
Embrace and accept that which you don't like (to strenghten tolerance, patience).
Don't blame others but rather ask yourself how you can improve or change.
Trust - to have Faith and Belief in.
Trustworthiness, The ability to keep commitments, Vows, choices.
Gratitude, Appreciation
Courage, bravery to face inner obstacles, challenges, on the path.
Moral Integrity, Living in accordance with ethical principles.
Purity, Intention
The motivation to seek enlightenment purely for the benefit of others.
Discipline, ethical conduct, maintaining vows, and avoiding harmful actions.
STUDY, INTEREST
Attention, Effort
Concentration, Absorption, Focus
Intelligence
Discernment, Recognize the value, Choose highest Value
Focus on what's most important
The key to study, attention, focus, concentration, knowing the value, appreciation, respect the teachings, honor the achievers, honor.
Identify the masters, Learn their names
Summarize and Organize into Steps
Compare - see (understand) the difference beween
Practice remembering things, thus strengthen the memory
Good Memory
Even pain may be a teacher, highlighting what needs to be changed.
ATTENTION
Interested
Awareness
Focused - concentrated
Passionate, Self-motivated
EFFORT
Doesn't quit or give up easily.
Don't judge a student by ability or intelligence. The main issue is whether they are ready and willing to try.
Choice - intention, will, Purpose
PRACTICE
Long Sitting
Doesn't Move
Doesn't Speak
Able and willing to change
Improve, grow
Cheerfully endure discomfort, without Complaining
Accept Instruction
Willing to follow
obey commands
MIND
Correct View
Open Mind, lack of Bias, lack of View-point
self-discipline, Ego, Self-Identification
self-awareness
Meditation
clear our minds of distraction
Quiet, Not overly talkative
MASTER
embracing suffering and assuming the burden of others as well.
Able to 'hear'
Every moment is NOW. Attention to the present moment.
Testing
Qualification
Test Ourselves
Capable Student
There is an observer, a perspective, a viewpoint, an asker, an inquiry, a student.
An Intelligent Student, Loving and Innocent, a Well-prepared Student, Motivated, Eager, Curious, Capable, A STUDENT WITH QUALITIES (requirements)
Understanding, Remembering, and integrating what they studied
ATTRACT A TEACHER (guide, shortening the path), not necessarily in person
Clear Your Mind - not empty, but rather open, receptive, usable, not full, ready
Inspect and clean yourself slowly and gently, reverently, at a speed you can handle. Remove everything that is either untrue or not good.
Clean up your mind, clean up your soul, become spotless and clean, true and pure, and you can look upon my face without fear. There are Worse things than death, so be afraid, for I am mighty, and I see everything. Hide nothing, and you'll have nothing to fear. Don't turn away in shame, hiding your mistakes and living with regrets. Rather, be blameless, and not fear to look.
Lucky, Auspicious Circumstances
Correct Timing
friendly, caring, respectful
Experiences and relationships are the raw material for growth and understanding.
STUDY
Seek what is good, and adopt what is worthwhile, even from bad people, or unfortunate situations. All is the guru, and the wise student gathers goodness from all situations. Pain is a swift and able teacher.
SIGNS of a UNREADY APPLICANT
Hurt, in pain, suffering
Unloved
Greedy
Selfish
Primitive, Coarse, rough, impolite, Ill-mannered
Ignorant, turned away
Insensitive
Unattentive, doesn't pay attention
Unfocused, drifting, un-concentrated
Obstructed, obscured, blinded
Asking the wrong questions
Inserting ego
Impure intention
Sister Pig 10 - 13 - and blames her younger brother for everything.
