4.  Initiative, Patience, Determination and Perseverance

In advanced Chan studies and Contemplations we speak of generating Power against the Poisons, and the direct enemies are considered:

                                                   MUNDANE HAPPINESS - 福 凡尘, fú fánchén

                                                      LOVE - 心疼, xīn​téng

                                                      CRAVING - 瘾, yǐn

                                                      INTELLECTUAL INDIFFERENCE

                   In Chinese the Characters of this Mundane Happiness signify "Happiness in this Mortal Life."

This gives the idea that the happiness that is available is always common and ordinary and we find a number of Chinese phrases which make that rather clear:

    祸福无常, huòfú wúcháng - future blessings and misfortunes are unpredictable.

    好事 多磨, hǎoshì duōmó  - the road to happiness is strewn with setbacks.

While the advanced teachings and contemplations of Chan let go of Happiness altogether along with Enjoyment, Excitation and Exhilaration which are all mundane, they are replaced with experiences of Well-Being, Joy and Bliss, Rapture and Awe.

No misfortunes accompany these and what may be considered as setbacks are dealt with with Calm and Equanimity, not Indifference or Dissonance.

Love too is replaced with Benevolent Affect and Craving by a confidence in the Dharma Path.

But although the teachings are different, in order to attain a satisfactory level of Happiness without extreme Suffering the general nature of the pathway is the same, although the intensity and methods are different.

The Mundane Path is by way of the following, which must be developed, although the profundity of the practices is considerably less, and, of course, the results are different and in keeping with the Mundane world:      

jī jí xìng 積極性, the energy force of Initiative

YI, 仪, Initiative

zhi yi, 志意, the wish to aspire

ZHI, 志, Determination

heng xin, 恒心, Energy of Perseverance

 HENG SHEN, 恒神, Permanent Spirit

PO, 魄   >  積極性, jī jí xìng >  YI , 仪 (INITIATIVE)

THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF INITIATIVE

The possession of Initiative is a natural phenomenon that arises from the operation of cognition. When 積極性 jī jí xìng is weak then that YI, the external initiative, does not arise.

積極性 jī jí xìng remains strong when there is the application of cognitively conscious understanding of the Four Sublime States together with their application at the most profound level possible with respect to all aspects of Nature and the Life Force.

Within the Chan Path there is also Contemplation that reveals the natural experiences of vacuity, unity, impermanence and clear comprehension, which is maintained as a united constant presence. However, in order to follow the Mundane Path in an effective manner, the Four Sublime States must be understood and applied ln a manner that is honest and not superficial.

Here we consider this as jī jí xìng 積極性, the energy force of Initiative.

The sign, as it were, of healthy 積極性 jī jí xìng, INITIATIVE, is a constant state of Gladness. 

                                         This Initiative and Gladness go hand in hand.

   YI, 仪 > 志意, yi zhi > ZHI, 志 (DETERMINATION)

    THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF DETERMINATION

SERENITY 

When the 志意 yi zhi energy catalyst (the intention to aspire) is weak then external expression of determination does not accompany projects and there is little force for the completion of apparent objectives.

The complete renovation requires correct meditative contemplations upon the Unification of mind, sensation, discrimination, perception, intention, consciousness, determination, decision, persistence, mindfulness, equanimity & attention, which are all present during the four jhana meditations used.

Here, however, because the resolution of a mind that is fixed more upon Happiness and the rest than Liberation, we find both Concentration and Contemplation a constant round of dissapointment and failure.

The first part of the solution then as far as the development of determination is concerned is "cognitively directed thought," which is constantly aware, in a mundane sense, of the presence of the "I"  and all confusion or doubt, no matter how slight; all tendency towards the acquisition of things for the "self;" and all aversion which arises. The overemphasis of preoccupation with what may occur in the future is also to be reviewed.

The presence of the "I" in these is to be seen and noted... However, just noted with the clear knowing that this is detrimental to Happiness.

The second part is to develop an "internal assurance" that in no way resembles "self-esteem," but a Confidence in the Path, not one's self, treading one step at a time while not looking to results or the future. 

The third part is to develop a mental Equanimity that will in and of itself bring occasional pleasure. 

Within Chan, the Equanimity is developed during the generation of Intentions by Contemplations. Here there must be no attempt to apply equanimity by resolutions. One must simply note continually the "lack of equanimity" as an after-effect and note that it is not beneficial.

The fourth part is the constant Confiding in the Path you are upon, in the development of Determination and the rejection of mind-dominated resolutions.

With healthy advances in determination you will discover frequent moments of a quiet pleasure. 

ZHI, 志 > 恒神, heng shen > HENG XIN, 恒心 (PERSEVERANCE)

THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF PERSEVERANCE 

INTROSPECTION

When the 恒神, heng shen, energy catalyst is weak then perseverance fails and setbacks cause an abandonment of valid projects. Perseverance, like detemination and initiative, is a correct and natural force that impediments within Samsara have managed to weaken.

What must be developed here is the Confidence that there really is a means to escape from this constant round of craving and clinging that brings this delusion called Happiness and the illusions of Suffering. Once it is deeply internalized that 'There is a further escape,' then perseverance is in great measure restored.

Cognitively watching the presence of Identity and seeing that it is not productive to a better life free of suffering will bring greater detachment and release from the impediments of Identity and that results in an unassailable other-directed impulse towards all of Nature.

It can then be clearly discerned that perseverance goes hand in hand with a Natural Compassion, which occasionally presents itself.

Initiative results in Gladness

Determination in greater Equanimity

Perseverance in a greater sense of Natural Compassion