Alertness to the call means that we are aware in the moment and we have developed a capacity for sensitivity to the call for help. Granted this is a skill to be learned and mastered, but all efforts we make are never lost. Our efforts are cumulative and every time we remember to practice when-which-how we increase our ability and capacity for service, moving steadily forward toward emotional self-mastery.
Recognition of a call for help is the when stage. The call is simply a way of describing any living energy field in need of the six heart virtues.
1. A lack of appreciation is a call.
2. A lack of compassion is a call.
3. A lack of forgiveness is a call.
4. A lack of humility is a call.
5. A lack of understanding is a call.
6. A lack of valor is a call.
Who is calling? It could be your ego-personality, it could be another human being or group of human beings, it could be a call from the natural world. It could be a call from all three. No matter from where the call is coming, the vital elements that require development are the ability to stay present in the moment, observation, and an increasing sensitivity to the heart and its six virtues.
Before continuing to our next subject, I want to reiterate that the practice of when-which-how is not dependent on first achieving perfection in being present in the moment, observation, and perfect sensitivity to the heart’s transmissions. We can work on all these elements simultaneously. These various pieces will fit into their natural places in the bigger picture of the when-which-how technique as we become more adept in our practice.
We need to remember what was stated earlier, that although the techniques of emotional self-mastery can be quite sophisticated, the core practice of when-which-how is simple. The practice “is not judged by its perfect expression, or its analytic virtuosity, but is performed and guided by intent.”
