Upgrading Capacity.

“I have done my best,” is a sign of a meaningful life. However, that refers the capacity we had at that time, and we couldn’t have done anything else at that time. It’s like playing chess: there are many possible moves, but we chose one, and live by it.

Maybe it would be better to ask the question, “Have I done my best?” This is not meant to make us feel guilty, but merely to refine our future actions. We need an upgrade in our confidence and capacity for our journey.

One.
Capacity of Fearlessness.

If we are sure of our essence (pure awareness), then there is no fear, because we realise that that very essence is the continuity in every situation, past present or future. It is timeless, beyond life and death, and beyond death to life again.

Two.
Capacity of Aspiration.

Once we conquer the fear of death by knowing what death is, and what happens after death (according to the tradition we follow), death itself is nothing. It’s no big deal, and nothing that we should be scared of. If we have tried our best without expectations, wishing to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings that they may also attain Buddhahood (this is called bodhichitta aspiration, which is the way of a Bodhisattva), that aspiration will create a good rebirth.

(Of course the opposite will also happen if we are doing the wrong things and living the wrong kind of life: then we should be afraid to die as the consequences are left for karma to ripen.)

Three
Capacity of Power

This is the power to overcome anything. For example, perception that can overcome all perceivable shortcomings, in the sense that nothing is a big deal. The relative truth is that everything is interdependent with everything else: nothing would be here if not for everything else. That is simple, and easy to understand. If we have clear understanding of emptiness (uncontaminated awareness), unpleasant things will not be unbearable. They will not drive us crazy or destroy us. Rather, they can actually make us even stronger, better and more clear, and might help us become more mature.

Four
Capacity of determination

This is the motivation to reach the destination. No matter what we are doing, the outcome (the destination) will be determine by our dedication. If we begin something wholeheartedly, continue and finish it, the result will be really good if it is a good thing, and if it is a bad thing the result will be really bad.

Five
Capacity of practice

The strength of continuous effort. This is based on diligence, patience, generosity, perseverance, concentration and transcendent knowledge (see Six advanced paramitas.) The main practice is mindfulness and awareness: these are very simple, but very important. Mindful means always remembering not to be distracted. Awareness is the result of mindfulness. We remember our motivation, our basic inspiration and aspiration all the time so that whatever we do is blessed by it.

Capacity depends on how accommodating we are.
That means compassion.
That means awareness of emptiness.