Clarity

A muddled mind is unlikely to progress. The muddled mind will rely on what it knows to get through stressful situations. Clarity of mind is the product of mental stamina, developed through regular education, meditation and reflection. This is essential for any progressive personal process, or practice. 

How can I effectively educate, meditate with or reflect with a mind polluted with drugs, too much refined sugar or alcohol? The answer is simple: I cannot. How can I expand a sleep-deprived mind? I cannot. How can I expand a mind fixated on materialistic or hedonistic concerns? I cannot.

Clarity comes with health and simplicity. From that clarity come mindfulness and compassion in the ongoing moments of conscious life. I am either engaged in conscious practice or running on mental automatic in the moment. Practice is the choice of an intentional mental life. That is not a life of reactions, impulses and apologies. The intentional mental life of practice is clear. It is responsive and responsible.