Meditation and ethics: Beyond religion - 10. Cultivating the key inner values

Includes the qualities of tolerance, forbearance, and forgiveness. It is the ability to endure suffering. It is not passivity, nor resignation with gritted teeth.
Patience to those who harm

Many factors
Angeris not wanted (it is like being ill)
Response with kindness and forgiveness is more appropriate, distinguishing between the action and the actor. We can opposite to the unjust action, but still being concerned by the actor (imagining he/she is your son/daughter)

Developing genuine attitude of acceptance of the reality that life involves hardship. Suffering is not good, but accepting it will make it easier to bear.
People that have gone thru heavy hardship (e.g. IIWW) are more able to cope with adversity without loosing their humour.
Shantideva: if there is a solution what need is there for dejection; if there is no solution what point is there in worry.
Not surrender to suffering, accepting it is the first step to combat its harm. Accepting it, we begin to see that not everything is negative.
Suffering can be a catalyst for spiritual growth, on top of make us stronger, it brings to some humility and more tuned with reality.

If we have a misfortune, it can be the fortune of someone else (e.g. job opportunity to someone else, maybe needing it more than ourselves).
Benefits of practicing patience: not loss composure, use of discernment also in difficult situations, give us inner space, gain self-control, and choose to respond with kindness and compassion.

The example of the Dalai Lama in a western shop: "I like this, and this, and this... but actually I don't need it"
It is ethical value? The tibetan term is absence of greed, knowing what is enough. It is the virtue of moderation. Poverty is not a virtue, but happiness does not come from wealth.
The financial crisis of 2008 was caused by greed, excessive speculation (means activity without full knowledge), and lack of transparency that allowed dishonesty.
Contentment is not suggesting that poverty is acceptable, because it causes tremendous hardship, and we must try to alleviate it.
It is wiser to set us limits and exercise contentment of material richness. In contrast, the potential to acquire mental richness is limitless. We must therefore strive for more.

It must be voluntarily embraced. Imposed rarely brings about inner transformation.
Considering the harm of lack of self-discipline (e.g. drug abuse) we should consider those looking after us and those whose welfare is connected to ours.
Socially, corruption that goes on almost everywhere is a failure of self-discipline.
Mastering our destructive emotions with awareness and self-discipline of body, speech, and mind frees us of the turmoil when our behaviour contradict our values. Instead of turmoil, come confidence, integrity and dignity.

We talk about generosity of the heart, connected to the virtue of forgiveness
There are four kinds: material goals; freedom from fear; spiritual counsel; giving of love.
Always must aim benefit others, not seeking favours or praise.
Using discernment: proper formats; at the right time; out of respect for the recipient.
Charitable giving and philanthropy: the most important is for health and education; it possible for everyone, adjusted to our own possibilities
Joy of giving: giving benefits the recipient but also the giver. It is good to take joy of it.

Meditation and ethics