Change is often evolutionary before it becomes revolutionary.

When we try to change ourselves for the better, one of the pitfalls we face is that we lose our enthusiasm after some time. Initially, we have that sense that we’re going to dramatically improve ourselves, and that sense of excitement and anticipation energizes us. But with time, as we start noticing that the changes in us are not dramatic or insignificant to be noticeable by others or even by ourselves, unless we consciously pause to notice them, our enthusiasm starts decreasing. And the attempt to improve starts seeming like a daily grind.

Persevering through this phase is vital. It’s essential that we remember how change works. It’s often incremental, moving in very small steps before it becomes noticeable, let alone sensational. Those who wish to move mountains have to start with, and continue with, moving stones that are liftable for them.

We tend to overestimate the power of our enthusiasm, which soon runs out. That’s why sustainable change has to be grounded not on emotion but on reason. And this is where our intelligence, based on rational contemplation, will prevent us from making the mistake of underestimating the accumulative power of small steps.

It’s the daily grind that will lead to some small evolutionary change for a significant amount of time, till one day that change will turn out to be revolutionary. And we will discover that we have become a much better person, the kind of person we can have healthy self-respect for, a kind of person who can actually make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world at large.

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06.25 Gradually, step by step, one should become situated in trance by means of intelligence sustained by full conviction, and thus the mind should be fixed on the Self alone and should think of nothing else.