The Enduring Principle of Perseverance

Chapter 23 of Realized Serenity

The Enduring Principle of Perseverance

After we have built a loving structure of Discipline in our lives, our journey brings us to its essential companion: the tenth principle, Perseverance. Spiritual growth is not a short sprint; it is a lifelong commitment. Perseverance is the quiet fortitude that sustains our discipline over the long haul. It is the quality that keeps us on the path through the inevitable challenges, the periods of doubt, the spiritual plateaus, and the moments when our initial motivation fades. If discipline is the act of building the bridge to a new way of being, perseverance is the act of walking across it, day after day, especially when we can’t see the other side.

A Story of Perseverance

After six months of dedicated practice, Lisa hit a wall. The initial excitement had worn off, and she felt like she wasn’t making any progress. Her old habits of anxiety and impatience were creeping back in. She was ready to quit, thinking the whole thing was a waste of time. She shared her frustration with a friend from her serenity circle. Her friend didn’t offer advice. She just listened and then said, “I remember when you used to have a panic attack before every work presentation. You haven’t had one in months. Do you remember that?” Lisa had been so focused on her current struggle that she had completely forgotten how far she had come. Her friend’s reflection gave her the fuel she needed to persevere, trusting that even when she couldn’t see it, the process was still working.

The Antidote to the Urge to Quit

Perseverance is the direct antidote to the deeply human habit of quitting when things get difficult. Many of us have a history of starting new plans—diets, exercise routines, spiritual practices—with great enthusiasm, only to abandon them at the first sign of resistance or when the initial “honeymoon” phase is over. Each time we quit, we reinforce a subconscious belief that we are not capable of long-term change. This creates a cycle of shame and learned helplessness.

Perseverance is the gentle but firm practice of rewriting that story. Each day that you show up for your practice, even when you don’t feel like it, you are casting a vote for a new identity. You are proving to yourself, through action, that you are someone who can be counted on. This is not about being perfect. The path is not a straight line; it is a spiral. We will inevitably circle back to old challenges and patterns. Perseverance is not the absence of setbacks; it is the practice of getting back up, of beginning again, with compassion and without drama, after we have fallen.

Navigating the Spiritual Plateau

One of the greatest tests of perseverance is the “spiritual plateau.” This is a period, as Lisa experienced, where it feels like nothing is happening. The initial insights have faded, the emotional highs are gone, and the practice can start to feel like a chore. Our ego, which loves drama and measurable progress, gets bored and begins to whisper, “This isn’t working anymore. You might as well stop.”

It is crucial to understand that the plateau is not a sign of failure; it is a sign of integration. This is the phase where the practice moves from being a novel and exciting activity to becoming a deep, quiet, and ordinary part of your life. This is where the real, subtle, and lasting changes are taking root, far below the surface of our conscious awareness.

Persevering through the plateau is an act of faith. It is the trust that even when we cannot see the growth, the process is still working. It is the wisdom to know that a seed does its most important work in the darkness of the soil before it ever breaks through into the light. During these times, our practice shifts from being about feeling good to being about showing up. This is what forges a resilient and mature spiritual life.

The Fuel for the Long Journey

If perseverance is the engine, what is its fuel? We cannot rely on willpower alone, as it is a finite resource. A sustainable practice of perseverance is fueled by a combination of perspective, celebration, and connection.

• The Power of Perspective (“Just for Today”): The thought of having to do a practice for the rest of our lives can be overwhelming and can trigger the urge to quit. The antidote is to bring our focus back to the only time we can actually do anything: today. When the long road ahead feels daunting, the practice is to ask, “What is the one small thing I can do for my serenity right now, just for today?” This makes the journey manageable. By stringing together a series of “just for todays,” we can walk a thousand miles.
• Celebrating Small Victories: As Lisa’s story shows, we are often blind to our own progress because we are so focused on how far we still have to go. It is essential to create a regular practice of looking back and acknowledging our growth. This can be a monthly journaling session where we reflect on the previous month and ask, “How have my reactions changed? Where have I been more patient or compassionate?” Celebrating these quiet victories is not an act of ego; it is the act of gathering the necessary fuel for the journey ahead. It reminds us that our efforts are not in vain.
• The Necessity of Community: Perseverance is not a solitary act. As the African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” A supportive community, a “Serenity Circle,” is the secret ingredient for long-term growth. When our own motivation wanes, the encouragement of a trusted friend can carry us through. When we lose perspective, the reflection of our community can remind us of how far we’ve come. This shared journey provides accountability, inspiration, and the vital reminder that we are not alone in our struggles.

By consciously cultivating these sources of fuel, we transform perseverance from a grim, white-knuckled effort into a sustainable and even joyful walk. We learn to endure not through sheer force, but through wisdom, grace, and the support of our fellow travelers.

Putting it into Practice: The Art of Showing Up

• Focus on “Just for Today”: When you feel overwhelmed by the thought of practicing for the rest of your life, bring your focus back to the only time you can control: today. Ask yourself, “What is the one right action I can take for my serenity right now?”
• Celebrate Small Victories: Once a month, schedule time to look back at your journal. Acknowledge the changes in your perspective and reactions. Celebrating these victories is essential fuel for the long journey.
• Find Your Community: Perseverance is not a solitary act. Share your struggles and your progress with your “Serenity Circle.” The encouragement and accountability of a supportive community is the secret ingredient for long-term growth.

This Week’s Practice

Look back in your