Step by step, you are discovering a new start, a new reality with a new sense of self, new ideals, beliefs, and values. At this stage of the C-L-E-A-R process, there is not a prescription for what comes next. You have taken the time to cultivate a mindset of wisdom through listening, reading, contemplation, meditation, and clarification. As you have learned, every ending is also a new beginning.

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There is no better way to use our precious human life than to strive to overcome ignorance, and the way to do this is to develop wisdom. ("How to Understand the Mind," Geshe Kelsang Gyatso)

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The journey to true wisdom is continuous self-reflection, living mindfully, and referencing one key question:

What Am I Becoming?

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“To lead a life that goes beyond pettiness and prejudice and always wanting to make sure that everything turns out on our terms, to lead a more passionate, full and delightful life than that, we must realize that we can endure a lot of pain and pleasure for the sake of finding out who we are and what this world is, how we tick and how our world ticks, how the whole thing just is. If we’re committed to comfort at any cost, as soon as we come up against the least edge of pain, were going to run; we’ll never know what’s beyond that particular barrier or wall or fearful thing”.

- Pema Chodron

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Newborns come into the world helpless and dependent on caregivers to provide for their needs. A newborn’s needs are physical, social, and emotional. As those needs are provided for by caregivers, they feel loved and cared for, they understand loving kindness and compassion. Humans are hardwired to bond with caregivers.

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At varying stages of adulthood, adults seek spiritual wellbeing, physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, social wellbeing, environmental wellbeing, occupational wellbeing and financial wellbeing. Emotional Intelligence is the foundation for how we interact with other humans. We must understand our feelings in order interact with other humans with loving kindness. 

Loving kindness includes sending happiness to yourself and to others often including self-compassion and compassion for others to be free from suffering. One study found practicing loving kindness for as little as seven minutes decreases self-criticism, boosts a person’s good feelings and sense of social connection.