Dedication Causes The Arising of Wholesome States

Monks, I know not of any other single thing of such power to cause the arising of wholesome states, if not yet arisen, or to cause the diminishing of evil unwholesome states, if already arisen, as dedication.

In him who is dedicated wholesome states, if not yet arisen, do arise, and evil unwholesome states, if arisen, do diminish.

(Reference: The Book of Gradual Sayings - Anguttara Nikaya - Volume 1)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that determination is powerful in helping a Practitioner to arise wholesome mental states that have not yet arisen and is powerful to eliminate evil unwholesome mental states.

As you have struggles and challenges on The Path to Enlightenment, it is determination, dedication, and diligence that will support you in continuing to walk The Path to Enlightenment.

To give up on your journey to Enlightenment, is to relegate one’s life to continuous discontentedness with sorrow, grief, pain, displeasure, and despair with future rebirths of the same. Continuing to stay dedicated is to rise above all that hinders the mind from experiencing freedom from strong feelings, liberation, complete freedom, peace, and Enlightenment.

An Enlightened being will have needed to overcome multiple obstacles to attain Enlightenment. They are a problem solver and do not dwell in disappointment or misery.

Instead, to attain Enlightenment a being will need to walk up the mountain in order to get to the other side.

If you do not currently see yourself as a problem solver, this is a quality of mind that you can gradually cultivate along this path. If you currently do dwell in disappointment or misery, you can train the mind to no longer conduct itself in this way. If you have not yet had major successes in life that required gradual and consistent growth over a long period of time, now is the time to start learning and practicing to help the mind experience these aspects of life.

Your Teacher and Community of Practitioners are individuals who you can reach out to in order to provide you support along The Path to Enlightenment, while at the same time, always remembering that this is an independent journey that will require energy, effort, motivation, and a willingness to succeed. These are all qualities of mind you can cultivate through connecting with members of your Community who are also on The Path to Enlightenment and through seeking guidance with a Teacher.

A Teacher who is sharing these Teachings will have a Community of Practitioners around them, whom you can connect with that are all progressing on The Path to Enlightenment.

That which you lack, whether certain qualities of mind or a community for support, can be acquired by connecting with a Teacher for guidance.