Through the meditation and through learning the Dhamma, we develop conviction that our actions really do make a difference; virtue, a sense of shame, compunction, generosity and discernment.

"So you have to learn to think about what’s really important in life, and realize that the quality of the mind is your real treasure. Get your priorities straight, along with the combination of having a comfortable way to be with yourself in the present moment and ways of thinking that place the emphasis on what you’re doing inside — on the internal goodness you can develop right here, right now.

This is one of the good qualities of the Dhamma. It reminds you that the things you get by being dishonest outside are not worth it, and the really good things in life come from goodness inside.

The Buddha talks about internal treasures. There’s virtue, not harming others; a sense of shame, in other words, being ashamed at the idea that you would do something harmful. Compunction, realizing that if anything that would cause harm, you just don’t really want to have to inflict that harm on yourself or anyone else. Conviction, conviction in the principle of karma, that your actions really do make a difference; generosity; learning the Dhamma, and discernment. All these things are goodness inside, and we develop them through the meditation and also through learning the Dhamma, stocking ourselves inside with good things, so when things outside are lacking, we’re not poor. We’re wealthy with internal wealth. That makes us independent."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Nobody's Servant"

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