Integrity is something which has a wholeness about it, a coherence, a consistency or solidarity.
A person with integrity is someone who is often described as having moral qualities, or an inner consistency and dependability or reliability.
Integrity is comprised of Virtues.
Virtues are part of the natural order of the world and ourselves. They are a part of the physical, moral fabric of world health and vitality, and within ourselves or our community, Virtues are the framework for a positive future. There are many virtues: Compassion, Patience, Courage, Devotion, Inner Balance, or Contentment.
The slow, regular monthly practice of simply looking for examples of a Virtue in action in the world and in your life builds Integrity. So, a Calendar of Virtues may be considered a guide to a monthly course - an Integrity Course.
A NEW VIRTUE EACH MONTH
The virtue of the month changes on the 21st of each month so that the power of regularity helps with maintaining the practice over the months and years. Your monthly written observation becomes a reference for you. Sharing it on the bLog helps all participants.
A recent survey has shown that there are more people with a “spiritual orientation” than a “religious orientation” for the first time in our country’s history. Virtues in the past were thought of as a part of religious denominations. The Integrity Course is spiritually and morally oriented, not specifically religiously oriented.
THE VIRTUES AND THEIR OPPOSITES
DEC 21 – JAN 20 – Courage becomes power to Redeem. OPPOSITE: Anxiety, Timidity.
JAN 21 – FEB 20 – Discretion becomes meditative strength. OPPOSITE: Criticism, comment.
FEB 21 – MAR 20 - Magnanimity becomes Love OPPOSITE: Pettiness
MAR 21 – APR 20 – Devotion becomes Power to Sacrifice. OPPOSITE: No concerns.
APRIL 21 – MAY 20 - Inner balance becomes Progress. OPPOSITE: Externals take over. Too busy.
MAY 21 – JUNE 20 – Perseverance becomes Faithfulness. OPPOSITE: Giving up. Loss of grip.
JUNE 21 – JULY 20 – Selflessness leads to catharsis. OPPOSITE: Self-absorption.
JULY 21 – AUG 20 – Compassion leads to Freedom. OPPOSITE: Heartlessness.
AUG 21 – SEPT – Courtesy becomes Heart Tact. OPPOSITE: Inconsiderateness.
SEPT 21 – OCT 20 – Contentment becomes Equanimity. OPPOSITE: Dissatisfaction.
OCT 21 – NOV 20 – Patience becomes Insight. OPPOSITE: Loss of temper.
NOV 21 – DEC 20 – Control of thought (speech and tongue) becomes feeling for the Truth. OPPOSITE: Gossip, externals, talkativeness.
(These are available on a separate page from the tab over this column.)
Each month a new virtue transition will be offered for course participants to consider. While considering a virtue transition, one is also asked to consider the opposite.
Take time to observe the Virtue each month in nature, your community or yourself. Then write your experience in 100 – 150 words about what you observe.
PLEASE SHARE YOUR WRITTEN OBSERVATION AS A COMMENT:
On the blog, you will find the current virtue transition listed.
Add your written 100-150 word experience in the comments section at the bottom. Lots of people from around the world may share and read your post!
At the end of the year, we will download all of the written comments and publish them.
