We are in the process of updating this website so that it gives a much more comprehensive explanation of the concept of the Essential Qualities and their relationship with Quality of Life. For now, we have included a high level summary and key definitions only.
We believe:
- Every human being is connected fundamentally with everyone
- Our lives are inextricable from Life
- Quality of Life is therefore an intrinsically collective matter and is defined by the quality of human actions
- We can improve Quality of Life only by improving the quality of our actions - by increasing the wisdom with which we act
- If we are to stand any chance of solving the problems of mankind, we need to make an urgent, intelligent and massive effort to educate wisdom in every human being
- To educate wisdom we need to nurture the qualities of mind that regulate the openness, depth and balance of our mental faculties and feelings. We call these the Essential Qualities
- The Essential Qualities are the principle determinants of the nature of human action and therefore determine Quality of Life
DEFINITITONS
Our aim here is to give a layperson a practical understanding of the key concepts. Added to which, many of the complexities of the human mind are not yet fully understood. The following descriptions are therefore not intended to be scientifically definitive:
Wisdom
The open, deep and balanced use of our mental faculties and feelings in acting for the common good
The Essential Qualities
We believe that the Essential Qualities are:
- The qualities of mind that regulate the openness, depth and balance of our mental faculties and feelings. These are therefore the principle determinants of the nature of human action
- Universal - agnostic of culture, gender and age
- Habits of mind that can be learned and controlled
Awareness
- Being wide awake and paying close attention to the breadth and detail of life
- Being conscious of my inner processes, phenomena and feelings
- Doing this is an open, accepting and inquisitive way
Thoughtfulness
- Applying my mental faculties fully and intensively with the aims of:
- Understanding my connectedness with the wide world
- Experiencing life from multiple perspectives
- Contemplating the ripple effects of my actions
Discipline
- Accepting responsibility for my actions
- Being in control of my impulses and emotions
- Sustaining effort, patience and resilience