There are other patterns that hamper gratitude – many of them. The work to clear them takes persistence and is a key path leading to the True Self. Patterns are part of our lives from the beginning to the end. At the end of this life cycle, when the body, Qi, and Jingshen separate, the patterns we have will go with our Jingshen. What happens to them then? The patterns will come to a new life with our Jingshen, and they are like seeds. Most people live one lifetime after another without ever working on changing their patterns so most hardly make any changes to the patterns they have. In fact, the patterns may become more ingrained and tenacious during a lifetime. We all probably know one or two irritable old people. Do you think they were as cantankerous at 20? Even though a newborn baby looks like a pure, blank slate, the seeds of all the patterns are actually all there. Gradually, the things we experience in life awaken the seeds and the patterns start to show up.
So, a decision to work on patterns is an investment in your well-being and happiness not just in this life but in future lives as well. What will you decide to do? Go down the same road over and over? Or is it time for real change?