PURIFICATION

"Do not blame the sinner, learn the virtue from the vice."

The mind actively generates our relationship with and experience of life. When we do not understand the mind, then it can subconsciously generate many problematic and unpleasant states that enslave us to a restricted experience of life. By understanding the mind, and the unpleasant mindstates that it can generate, we can gradually become free from this subconscious process and become a master of the heart and mind. This is the path that all souls must walk in order to attain spiritual realizations and freedom from the unconscious generation of unpleasant states of mind.

Our impurities - that give rise to confusion, self-dislike, and self disgust - show us that we have some purification work to do in those centers where the impurities arise.

Impurities need to be understand, purified, and behaviour forgiven - we live, learn, purify, and grow

Genuine human civilization is attained by the conquest of the inner forces of:

We have the knowledge and simple techniques to overcome this inner enemy to successful and happy living for one and all.

The aim is not to whitewash our emotions with platitudes - all emotion serve a logical and realistic purpose. The aim is to help us overcome persistently and unnecessarily negative attitudes, emotions, moods, and thoughts that create confusion, misery, pain, and disease.

PURIFICATION OF THE SEVEN CENTERS

In this image we see the representation of the heart and crown centers. The heart center represents God's pure love that can be displayed by the soul. The crown center represents realization of God.

By focusing on the heart center, spiritually awakening it, and sending it's qualities into the other six centers, then we can purify every area of our life. This is an ancient spiritual practice.

The following image represents this purification process:

Using this image as a representation of the purifying process, you can purify every area of your life and live according to God's will of LoveWisdomGoodness.

Here is an animation of the process:

Purifying the Seven Centers

UNDERSTANDING VICE AND VIRTUE

The civilized person considers others.

Pratipaksha Bhavana

As stated in "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" (II: 33);

VITARKA BADHANE PRATIPAKSA BHAVANAM.

"When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite [positive] ones should be thought of. This is pratipaksha bhavana."

This requires much practice in the first place but becomes easier and more consistent with time and commitment. Below you will find a table to help you replace negative (viceful/vicious) mindstates with their opposite, positive (virtuous) ones.

I feel that we must first "disarm" (not co-operate with) the selfish negative mindstates by applying the "neutral" opponent.

IDENTIFYING VICE AND VIRTUE

Vices are undesirable qualities that make you and others unhappy. Vice is a diseased attitude that leads to ill-health for one and all. The persistent indulgence in one or more vices will lead our heart and mind to the gates of Evil.

Virtues are desirable qualities that make you and others happy. Virtue is LoveWisdomGoodness that leads to health and happiness for one and all.

Vice and virtue are two sides of the same coin. We find that the virtue is on the opposite side to the vice. By applying the effort to turn over the coin, we are rewarded by finding the virtue that was hidden in the vice and the lessons that we learned through the vice.

AFFIRMATION: "When I experience and observe the ignorance, egotism, and vice in this world, I vow to myself to learn how to refrain from such experience and how to embody the opposite qualities."

Three steps in dealing with vice:

Identify the vice.
Neutralize the vice: Refrain from doing it by affirming the opposite.
Practice and apply the opposing virtue.

Change takes practice and time - be patient and steady

We will all experience moments of vice and deluded thinking, this is natural. The aim of this work is not to repress the natural emotions and experiences of life, but to help us overcome persistently negative states of mind that can lead to long term personality problems and unhappiness for all. We need to feel our emotions and acknowledge our attitudes and problems before we can set about improving and managing them.

The "force of Evil" in the world, in humanity, is created by the unguarded and habitual indulgence in one or more of these central vices (negative attitudes).

Vice/Deluded thinking	Affirm the opposite	Virtue
Abuse of Power and Position	I do not abuse my power or position	Using power and position lovingly and wisely for the health and welfare of all beings Attitude Awareness
Adolescent delinquency and sabotage of adult life.	I refrain from delinquency and self-sabotage	Healing the inner adolescent Healing our relationship with our family of birth: Parent's and siblings Attitude Awareness Psychological Awareness
Anger	I refrain from unnecessary anger but I can show anger when I feel it is necessary	Calm Tolerance Patience Considering others Understanding the problem Forgiveness Empathy Compassion Emotional awareness
Arrogance Hubris Exaggerated pride or self-confidence often resulting in a negative consequence.	I refrain from arrogance	Humility Attitude Awareness
Attachment	I realize the ultimate folly of attachment	Transcendent considerations Finding the Unity behind the variety Attitude Awareness Psychological Awareness
Attention Seeking Social Strategies	I refrain from attention seeking behaviour	Healing the inner child Healing our relationship with our family of birth: Parent's and siblings Attitude Awareness Psychological Awareness
Blaming others for our misfortune	I do not blame others	Forgiveness Learning Healing Responsibility for our own behaviour Attitude Awareness Psychological Awareness
Bullying	I do not bully others	Alerting authorities about any cases of bullying
Carelessness	I am careful	Take care of yourself and loved ones Take care with all life Do not be wasteful
Confusion	I am clear and I accept that I get confused sometimes	Learning Clarity Organization Order Decision
Corruption Perversion	I refrain from corruption I only do that which is moderate, healthy, good, and natural	Removal of ignorance and egotism Purification of the heart and mind Considering others Respecting the lives of others Using but not abusing your life Choosing LoveWisdomGoodness Civilization
Cruelty Harmfulness	I refrain from cruelty and harm I do not harm myself or others	Harmlessness Attitude Awareness
Delusion Delinquency	I am learning about human behaviour	Learning Developing ethics, morality, and principles Honest self examination Knowledge and Wisdom Discernment Maturity Civilization
Dishonesty Lying Cheating Stealing	I am honest	Honesty Honoring our word Attitude Awareness
Dogma A belief that is held to be "truth" or the authority.	I am not dogmatic	Humility Security in your own beliefs Flexibility in view Appreciating other's paradigms No need to prove anything Enjoying the variety in life Releasing the need to "be right." Allowing others to have their own views, opinions, and beliefs
Egotism: An excessive or exaggerated sense of self-importance. In extreme forms, egotism (as egotism) may include narcissism, personality disorders, and antisocial behavior.	I am not egotistical	Humility Balancing self and others Considering others Equanimity Feeling connected to the community of Life on Earth Civilized thinking and behavior Balanced and healthy personality Realization your essential identity with the Totality of Existence Refrain from feeling separated from the Community of Life on Earth and the Totality of Existence Refrain from selfishness Refrain from narcissistic, inconsiderate, and anti-social behavior. Seek help for social and personality disorders
Envy Covetousness	I am not envious	I am pleased for others and their good fortune Happiness for others good fortune Emotional awareness
Fall (From God centered living)	I refrain from denying the possible existence of God and of my identity as being a soul that is not limited to the lifespan of this current physical body.	The whole universe is God's show I am a soul, created by God It is the duty of the soul to serve God in all things As a soul, my existence continues after this current lifetime Although the world may seem chaotic and unfair, God's will and order is firmly in control, teaching all souls the lessons they require.
False (egocentric) Pride	I am not proud of my ignorance or egotism	Humility Considering others Learning Asking for help Transcendent considerations Good works and services Serving life with LoveWisdomGoodness Attitude Awareness
Glamour	I refrain from being blinded by the superficial outward appearance of people and things in the world	Relating to others and the world beyond the external coverings Love Empathy and compassion
Greed Hoarding Miserliness	I refrain from greed	Temperance Balance Charity Non-hoarding Wise and appropriate giving Balancing your needs with the needs of the world Balancing yourself with others Emotional awareness
Haste	I am not hasty	Caution Prudence Temperance Thoughtful Care Attending to details Attitude Awareness
Hatred	I do not harbor hatred I may experience natural aversion to people, places, and things but this is of the moment and not a persistent problem	I have natural aversions for logical reasons Consideration and respect for others Social understanding Like Love Emotional awareness.
Idolatry Iconolatry	I do not idolize others	Respecting and enjoying the uniqueness of the individual
Ignorance	I want to learn	Learning Knowledge Wisdom
Imitation	I refrain from imitation	Learning to be yourself Express your uniqueness Like and enjoy your unique character Understand the psychology of imitation as a natural part of the process of learning.
Impatience	I am patient	Patience Tolerance Temperance Respect for time Planning
Inconsideration	I consider others	Consider the lives of others Attitude Awareness
Irrational Guilt	I only feel guilty when I know I have done something wrong	Self Examination into the cause of the emotion Discerning what is natural and healthy (virtue) from that which is unnatural and unhealthy (vice) Attitude Awareness Emotional awareness Psychological Awareness
Jealousy	I am not jealous	Happiness for others good fortune Do not unnecessarily compare yourself with others as we are all unique individuals and embody different qualities Emotional awareness
Judgementalism Prejudice	I do not judge others I refrain from prejudice	Communication Ask questions Try to understand others Listen to others Don't judge without first attaining the facts Realize that there are two sides to every story Attitude Awareness Psychological Awareness
Lust	I refrain from lust	Temperance Admiration and appreciation Realizing the folly and misery of trying to satisfy endless selfish desires Accepting the natural functioning of the second chakra Considering and respecting others Emotional awareness
Mockery	I refrain from mockery	Helping others who are less fortunate than you Do not make others small to make you feel tall
Naive innocence	I don't want to remain naive	Education Knowledge Experience Wisdom
Narcissism	I refrain from selfish self adoration	Going beyond glamour Considering others Being responsible in relationships Transcendental Considerations Attitude Awareness Psychological Awareness
Negative habits	I am identifying and overcoming my negative habits	Nurturing positive, healthy habits and routines
Neurotic fear	I refrain from unnecessary fear	Understanding the basis (the roots) of our fear Finding the real cause Rational self-examination Transcendental considerations Attitude Awareness Emotional awareness Psychological Awareness
Passion	I refrain from immoderate passionate behaviour	Reason Balance Rationality Goodness Equanimity Calm Moderation
Persistent indecision	I make choices and accept the consequences	Choosing Learning how to make wise and informed decisions Attitude Awareness Psychological Awareness
Projection	I do not project my problems and issues onto other people I take responsibility for my problems and issues	Taking responsibilities for your problems and issues
Resentment Spite	I am not resentful	Good will Forgiveness Mercy Attitude Awareness
Revenge	I refrain from revenge	Forgiveness Emotional awareness Attitude Awareness
Scorn	I refrain from scorn	Helping others who are less fortunate than you
Self pity	I refrain from self-pity	Considering others Empathy but not naive pity Attitude Awareness Mood Awareness Psychological Awareness
Selfishness Selfish attachment	I am not selfish I consider others I refrain from selfish attachment	Humility Considering others. Benevolent and charitable activity Balancing self with others Understanding attachment
Self-righteousness. Needing to feel that your belief, opinion, view, and activity is "the right way to live." Making others wrong so that you feel right.	I am not self-righteous	Live and let live Learn to find variety interesting Sort out your own life and beliefs and then learn to enjoy variety Let go of the need to feel right all the time Attitude Awareness Psychological Awareness
Shame	I only feel shame when I know that I have done something wrong	Goodness Holistic health
Laziness Procrastination Sloth	I am not lazy and I do not procrastinate	Holistically healthy, benevolent and life affirming activity Serving life with love, skill, and wisdom Attitude Awareness
Superstition. The unfounded and unquestioned belief in things that you don't understand.	I am not superstitious	Comprehension Attaining our own level of understanding Application of rationality and logic Scientific Testing Method and Procedure Suspending belief Making up your own mind
Temptation Indulgence in egotism and vice.	I am not tempted	Choosing goodness Considering the outcomes of our actions Decision and Choice Strength and will-power Realization that vice is bad for one and all Realizing that selfish egotism makes everybody unhappy - especially the egotist Refrain from vice Refrain from egotism Refrain from anti-social and damaging holistic behaviour
Vanity	I refrain from vanity	Humility Modesty Attitude Awareness
Wasteful	I am not wasteful I am prudent	Be prudent The universe is abundant The creator is abundant This no excuse for to be wasteful, greedy, inconsiderate, reckless, or destructive
Wrath Manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for selfish egotism, fury, hatred, resentment, self-pity, narcissism, anti-social behavior, and persistent anger. It is also known as rage (excessive and unrelenting violent anger).	I purify my heart and mind of all selfish and destructive impurities I fill my heart with love	Get into love Be loving Fill your heart with love Make love the center of yourself
Xenophobia Fear and hatred of lifestyles that are different from your own: attitude, beliefs, culture, opinions, views.	I am interested in others who are different to myself I do not hate others who think differently to myself	Interest in other cultures Trying to understand different ways of living and relating to life

We can use this procedure to purify and transform any negative thought or quality in our mind and personality:

Identify the negativity (vice).
Neutralize the vice by positive and realistic affirmation.
Apply the positive opponent (virtue).

Although central to our experience, the mind is not the only area of activity, we should be attempting to purify our total personality - purifying the seven centers.

SEVEN DEADLY SINS

"The seven deadly sins" are seven key vices that are poisonous to human health and happiness.

Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, haughty arrogance, conceit, snobbery, separation from the Unity of Life on Earth, and the arising of egotism. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as vanity and egotism.
Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation and the desire to prevent others from experiencing their own good fortune. Jealousy is resentment at others' good fortune, traits, status, abilities, or situation. Jealousy and Envy follow the rule of the tyrant - "It is not enough that I succeed, others must also fail. It is not enough that I fail, others must also fail."
Gluttony is an unreasonable selfish desire to consume more than that which one requires.
Lust is an unreasonable and selfish craving for the pleasures of the body.
Wrath/Persistent Hatred is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as rage (excessive and unrelenting violent anger).
Greed is the excessive and addictive desire to possess and hoard things, often at the expense of our humanity. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness (longing/craving).
Sloth is excessive laziness, ignoring life, and procrastination in attending to living.

SELFISHNESS.

So we now understand that all this selfishness arises from the mechanics of egotism - ignorance and forgetfulness that life on Earth is "One Unified System" and the life of the Cosmos is One Entity - the real Self.

This ignorance and misidentification with the experience of the individual (body/mind) produces our egotism, greed, competitiveness, and unnecessary fear about life.

Do not pursue the path of selfish happiness because it is actually the path of misery.

ATTITUDES TO AVOID IN THE SEVEN CHAKRAS

CHAKRA ONE: Base/root chakra.
Refrain from greed, miserliness, and unnecessary hoarding.
Refrain from physically damaging and unhealthy behaviors.
Refrain from clinging to bodily life.
Refrain from selfish attachment to the material world.
CHAKRA TWO: Sacral chakra.
Refrain from selfish lust for sexual and sensual pleasure.
Refrain from sexual misconduct.
Refrain from addiction to sensual pleasure.
Refrain from nurturing disappointment.
Refrain from selfish attachment to sex and sensual pleasure.
CHAKRA THREE: Solar plexus chakra.
Refrain from envy and jealousy towards others.
Refrain from damaging, unhealthy, and antisocial behavior.
Refrain from sloth.
Refrain from nurturing anger and frustration.
Refrain from hyper-activity.
Refrain from egotistical and selfish abuse of power.
Refrain from selfish attachment to life's activities.
CHAKRA FOUR: Heart chakra.
Refrain from hatred.
Refrain from nurturing grief and sorrow.
Refrain from harmful behavior.
Refrain from selfish attachment to love.
CHAKRA FIVE: Throat chakra.
Refrain from unnecessary harmful and negative communications.
Refrain from unpleasant and harmful creativity.
Refrain from selfish attachment to communication and creativity.
CHAKRA SIX: Brow chakra.
Refrain from cooperation with negative and unpleasant thought-forms.
Refrain from over-intellectualizing life.
Refrain from selfish attachment to the intellect and thought-forms.
CHAKRA SEVEN: Crown chakra.
Refrain from attachment to the body and mind.
Refrain from losing contact with or forgetting about the reality of the Mystery of Existence.

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