Supreme Perseverance

"Knowledge is illuminating, perseverance is purifying, and self-control is protective." By combining these three elements, one attains a state of pure bliss.

Tapa is like fire—it purifies everything it touches. Just as anything subjected to fire retains its essence, the impurities attached to it are removed. In this world, anything of excellence is achieved through tapa.

Human life itself is an example of perseverance, from the moment of birth, a mother undergoes significant tolerance even before a child is born, enduring many difficulties. As a child grows, they too must be persistent, especially through education. The efforts a child puts into studying are their form of tapas. The hard work, focus, and commitment that education requires are all forms of tapas. When immersed in study, a child forgets hunger or thirst, engrossed in the goal of passing exams with excellence. This is tapa, a discipline that helps a person grow into something great.

Tapas sharpens one’s abilities and increases strength. Just as fire can both refine and destroy, tapas can either elevate or diminish something. Hence, self-control precedes tapa to protect and enhance it.

The fire of tapa is a test of your capacity—your ability to endure and grow. If your patience, humility, and self-discipline are increasing, then your practice is working.

The true goal of perseverance is inner transformation—developing feelings of forgiveness, compassion, and humility. It deepens our surrender and devotion, increasing our reverence for our innate qualities and for the teachers who inspire us. Through Supreme Perseverance, impurities are burned away, and we become purer within.