Whether it shows outwardly or is held inwardly, we all inevitably will face difficulty and suffering in life. Adhiṭṭhāna, one of the 10 pāramitās or “perfections,” represents the bodhisattva’s resolve to become fully awakened regardless of the challenges. Adhiṭṭhāna means determination, dedication, commitment and resolve. It is one of the qualities that come out of our loving-awareness. It is inherent to the heart when we discover who we really are.

What does it mean to be alive and who are we in this mystery? If adhiṭṭhāna represents our dedication, then what are we dedicated to? Dedication is really an expression of the awakened heart saying, “In this life that I experience, there are certain things that I value.”

Einstein’s dissertation was turned down as irrelevant by his physics department. Michael Jordan was cut from his basketball team. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t—that’s not the point. You are going to have praise and blame and gain and loss—it’s just how it is. So, what do we do, is the question—what do we make of this?