Chisti: Perception/Intuition/6th Sense

Zarathushtra, in Yasna 30.9  brings forth the concept of perception, a necessary tool for mankind for evolution to utopia.

Hya-at  Ha-thraa  Mun-ao Ba-vat,

Yaa-thraa Chistish  Angaa-haat Ma-ey-thaa. 

May we be empowered by perception, to comprehend  that true Reality, whenever overwhelmed with doubt.

Hyat: That

Ha-thraa: focused

 mun-aao: mind/intellect (reasoning)

 ba-vat: becomes achievable

Ya-thraa: whenever/where

 Chist-ish: perception, insight

angaa-haat: into my body
ma-ey-thaa: : comprehension (wading through doubt)

This concept "Chisti" like others follows an imagery that is both spiritual & physical (material). 

The Star “Tishtrya” (also known as the Dog Star or Sirius (Alpha Canis Majoris: the brightest star in the sky),  is referred to, in the Tir Yasht, as twin lights that shine onto us,  penetrating the fog of confusion & lack of knowledge.

These Tishtriya stars located on the Eastern horizon (hence visually blocked by the Sun) were known by the Athrawans (Priests) or Kavas (Philosopher-Kings) who composed the Avesta, since times immemorial (see the blog on the age of Zarathushtra) ; & regarded as the true force, behind the Sun.

The presence of the twin star was only re-discovered in 1862 by Alvin G. Clark at the Dearborn Observatory, operated by Northwestern University of Evanston, Illinois.

It was discovered that Sirius was actually a double star, the larger, brighter counterpart being Sirius A, and the smaller dimmer companion being Sirius B, interestingly a white dwarf star. The two stars are separated by only about 11 arc seconds at maximum separation (the orbital period is just under 50 years). Fainter Sirius B has a magnitude of only about 8.7 while Sirius A has a relative magnitude of nearly -1.5.

Today, we know Sirius,a type A1 main sequence star, has a surface temperature of about 10,000 K (as compared to 6000K of our Sun) and a luminosity of about 23 times our Sun.

Studies of the magnetic fields in our galaxy indicate that streams of energy emited by the stars, travel in specific directions, like rivers, either up or down the galactic arm in which they are embedded. Stars are polarized to other stars, either negatively or positively, some absorbing (receiving) energy, some radiating the same,  along these magnetic field lines. 

Our galaxy being “downstream" from the energy emissions of Sirius (Tishtriya), the Earth literally receives energy from Sirius (Tishtriya).  Our ancient Atharvaan priests, astronomical & scientific masters that they were, observed & understood this phenomenon, thus naming this star "the insightful eyes of Mazda” & describing the Sun's light colorfully (in the Khursheed Neyash) as thousands of horses drenching our intellects

Fradathaai Tishtreyehe Staaro Raevato Khware-nanghu-haato Yazamaide

I invoke that glorious radiance  of Tishtriya, to chanel that perseptive insight into my being.

(Tir Yasht, Karda X):

We invoke empowerment from that glittering light (Tishtriya) of Ahura Mazda,

Which like a mountain of light destroys mental infirmities,

which puts flight to those sorceresses (mental infirmities),  who honor Angra Mainyu (un-ethical, negative, degenerative mentalities) ;
That blessed radiance that overcomes all obstacles.

As per astrology, this dog star Sirius, is one of the watchmen of the Heavens, fixed in one place at the bridge of the Milky Way (Vanant) , keeping guard over the abyss into incarnation. The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, (Ksha-thra) and steadfastness (Ara-maiti) of purpose, and exemplifies the One who has succeeded in bridging the gap between the lower physical self and higher consciousness, reaching Ha-urva-tat----the prosperity of perfection…..self realization.

Located just below the Dog Star is the constellation Argo,(the Ship).  Astrologically this area in the sky has been known as the river of stars which is a gateway to the ocean of higher consciousness.

Little wonder than the Vedidad, ( Fargard 8) ritualizes this imagery of the renovating nature of the Tishtriya star, by the requirement of  a dog being brought to a corpse, in order that its “purifying gaze” sends the deceased’s soul towards the Chinvat bridge for final dispensation.

Allegorically, this imagery is also a reference to the River Harahvaiti (Vedic Saraswati) & its 6 tributaries, which was said to wash away all baser traits on the journey of man towards the reward of the ultimate spiritual wealth: Ha-urva-tat -Perfection

                                                        

 This is why the Dog is held in high respect by Zarathushtis, not only as a friend & protector from the hordes of plunderers & looters, but also as one with gift of insight.

Zarathushtra considered this concept of Chisti so important that he named his daughter Pouru-Chisti: The first/foremost Insight.

The mountain of Light

In the Atash Nyaa-ish, we have a reference to a Mountain of Light : “Rae-van-tahey Garo-ish” whose divine snows (Zao-thro-byo[1]) melt  & collect in a Lake addressed as : “Chaechistahey- Varoish”; the receptacle of knowledge. 

 This “Mountain of Light” is also referred to in the Avan Yasht  as the Hukar/hukairya mountain  which feeds  into Vouru-Kashem (Root:kash): meaning wide shored, sea like lake.  

This ancient & paradoxical association of fire with water has been scientifically confirmed by the discovery that the greater the amount of ice crystals in a cloud, greater is its ability to discharge lightening.  Similarly Ice crystal concentrations have also been known to reflect sunlight during sunrise to form a pilar of light.

This imagery of “mountain of light” was also reflected in ancient temples having a pillar type structure, called Minar located outside the temple premises where lamps were lit.

A “minar” is a structure erected outside ancient temples, where lamps are lighted on important days of worship. The word Minar (minaret) although appropriated by islam, along with other places of worship, actually means a place for fire and light (Noor), or a "luminous place.

The term "Noor" also, meaning the Light of knowledge, of liberation from doubt is of Avestic origin.

  

Ys31.7: Taa Mazda, Man-yu Uk-sho,
Ye -aa Noor-em chit Ahura Haa-mo



Minar, therefore, refers to a tall tower-like column built in a shrine, where a fire was lit, or hanging lantern placed, to guide passersby at night time.  

Minaret (65m) of Jam-Afghanistan.

 Dr. Zaki Mohammad Hassan, the renowned Egyptian professor, says that appropriated Iranian minarets, were not used for Azan because of their height and the muezzin used to call people to prayers by standing on the roof of mosques.  The construction of a minaret with images sculpted onto its walls, showing a distinct Zarathushti lineage,  had been common in the ancient Persian lands. 


Examples abound.:

 A square-based tower was built in front of the Great Darius's tomb in Naqsh –Rustam  which is as old as the tomb itself. Professor Luis Vanderberg of Brussels University deems it to be a fire alter. This structure has been built on a three step square-shaped platform resembling some minarets of the very first Islamic eras.



Noorabad tower: Situated on the mountain slopes on western Noorabad in Fars Province. The staircase in the center of this tower with appropriate meanders led to the top. There was a luminous fire in a stone brazier on the top.

Firooz Abad Fire Tower: In the ruins of Firooz Abad which belongs to the beginning of the Sassanids (224-651) era, there is a huge tall Tetrahedron made of stone and plaster which is one of the structures of the Firooz Abad Fire Temple complex. The staircase of this Tetrahedron was built outside the tower and was used to climb the twenty-six meter high tower to light the fire. 


                               
The large sanctuary of Surkh Kotal in Afghanistan consists of five terraces, built one above the other. A broad stair-case leads to the sanctuary which lies on the top-most terrace. The main room contains one cella (ca. 11 x 11 m) in the middle of which there is a square platform of stone with three steps and one pillar-base on each side. 

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[1] Zao-thra-byo means divine waters; those that just like rivers fertilizing the valleys they go through, divinely fertilize & purify the individuals who partake of them.
Surprisingly we find that Jesus Christ uses this word "Zao" "Zao Waters". in John 7:38 to describe these waters coming from the "innermost being" which translates to 'universal womb'. The Greek New Testament defines it in almost verbatim Zarathushti terms as: To live, to breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead) ; to enjoy real & true life and worthy of the name; to be active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God; to live an active life of  character, to be fresh, strong, efficient. It further identifies this term as: living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul

.

Mantra: The invocation that inspires.

Derived from the root word 'man' (मन -pronounced as in bun), that unique capability 'to think, to reason and  “thraa” meaning crucible/concentration of; Mantra literally means 'instrument of thought'; that which when properly intoned, with faith, stimulates the mind to reason and inspire onward to an action plan.
The logic being that prayer, without follow up action is of no consequence and benefits no one.


 Mantras are hymns, which through their intrinsic quality of stimulation of the intellect and reasoning faculties, benefit those who chant them with devotion and understanding. They form the original constituents of the Gathas.


The Gathas, composed by our Saviour Zarathushtra, are called “Sraa-vee”, just as the Vedas are called, Shru-ti, a word, meaning "divinely revealed/inspired Scripture". They have a rhythmic meter , invoking the infinite, a sacred hymn uniquely aligned with the forces of nature. Derived from the root “Sr”, meaning to hear, to be mentally stimulated, cognate terms include “Sra-osh” meaning Divine Guidance.


The ancient Kavas (Philosopher Kings) of Indo_Iranian times, developed a language of external sounds, based on rhythmic variation, perfectly harmonious in its structure and evolution. This language had a common element: its Roots, the elemental basis of word formation. It is these root words, uniquely aligned sound syllables, which form the basis of Mantras, the devotional category of which are called Stoat.


The Kavas correlated scientific knowledge with sound & composed Mantras, which were at once, masterpieces of knowledge, capable of stimulating the intellect, yet simple enough for the message to be memorized and grasped , at different levels depending on the intelligence (and devotion) of the hearer. The Mantra thus becomes the vehicle to experience inner light (Aathraa-आथ्र ).
By entomology,   Ava-sthaa = os-tha = lip; clearly indicating the mantras were meant to be exclusively recited. Just as the term Osta is used even today to refer to a priest, so too in the Vedas the word “Ava-yuj” is a priest


According to NASA researcher, Rick Briggs [AI Magazine (Artificial Intelligence) of spring 1985].
 
“Among the accomplishments of the grammarians can be reckoned a method for paraphrasing (Vedic) Sanskrit in a manner that is identical not only in essence but in form with current work in Artificial Intelligence.”


The word (Mantra ) so heard radiated powerful intellect and intuitive stimulation when properly recited by the devotee, through knowledge, understanding and faith. Little wonder therefore that our creator Ahura Mazda is addressed as Khwatr (later Khurshid), the stimulator of intellect. 

Khwatr is none other than the Vedic Savitr, the intellect stimulator, to whom the Gayatri Mantra is dedicated. Vedic “Saa” = Avestic “Kh” or “Khw”.

According to James Newton Powell[1] (University of California, Santa Barbara, USA)

“Modern metaphysicians are rediscovering the fantastic powers released through spoken words. By certain arrangements of words, such as in Mantras, a tremendous vibratory force could be set upon in the invisible mode, which profoundly affects physical and metaphysical substance in the body of man.”

While outwardly based on the language of the masses (Avesta/Vedic Sanskrit), these “Manthric” compositions used single sound syllables based on root words placed in specific meter (sequence) . Thus we have the Ahuna-vaiti Gatha composed on the basis of 7 + 9 sound syllables (notes).  


Modern Science validates that the human mind is capable of memorizing and being influenced if sounds are in a 7 +/- 2 sequences.


Mantras have a rhythmical meter, invoking the infinite, a sacred hymn, radiating an aura of light (color) and sound, uniquely aligned with the forces of nature, inducing and stimulating the mind to positive actions.


Owing to their specific sound syllable and resulting vibration , these incantations could not be conveyed by the printed texts lest the message got corrupted. They could be transmitted only between the two minds - of the Guru (Teacher) and the Sishya (Student) in a way similar to the way Mobeds of today are taught the scriptures.
Little wonder then that our Gathas & Vedic hymns, composed in a very specific meter, were passed on by teachers to pupils through an oral transmutation only, for thousands of years. They were not written down; in fact this was prohibited .


As per Dr A A Macdonell : “The hymns were composed almost exclusively by a hereditary priesthood”, later addressed as Ud-gaate or chanting priest & Hotr (our Zotr/Zoata) or reciting (preacher) priest.


It is this oral transmutation of our Gathas & Yasnas that have not only preserved their concepts, undiluted, over thousands of years, changes of languages and geography but also, saved it from destruction at the hands of Islamic zealots.

Atar-sh, the purifying medium of communication to the Creator Ahura Mazda

In the Gathas, the inner flame of spiritual intelligence (Ush-trem), that directs our senses; brought forth from the Earth of our material nature is called Athra. 

This conscious and forceful spark is the immortal guest in our mortality[1], a divinely pure (Spenta) priest (Rt-ush) and worker, the mediator between earth and heaven. It carries our devotional invocations as an offering to Ahura Mazda and brings back in return, their mind illuminating message of light (of knowledge) of the mechanics behind the achievement of the joy/prosperity/success  in life.

This spiritual flame is mimicked at the physical/earthly level by the concecrated Atash of the temple. Just like the holy fire of the Atash Behram is continuously fed (Boi); man is enjoined to consistently (like a ritual) feed the athraa of his soul with deeds of righteousness.

Atar-sh  is identified as the priest : Zotr/Hotr (of Ys33.6), and the inner flame Rtvij(Rtu + vij ) which guides our actions along the path of Asha (Truth and Justice).

Asha/Rta being the regulator of nature, such as the unvarying course of the Sun,  planets and seasons etc., on a material level, this is represented by the 5 times a day ritual of  the  Atash being ceremoniously being fed (Boi) in the Atash-Behraam/Atash Adaryan/Atash Kadeh

This holy consecrated fire, “Atar-sh” is referred to in Atash Niyaish as “puthra” , meaning that which purifies all creations and that purifying medium of communication with Ahura Mazda.  

This term “Pu-thra” is derived from the root “Pu” meaning to purify; and thraa = intersection, focal point, convergence, concentration of.  Cognate terms include pa-vitra and pa-vana

  

Athra, therefore, can be said to purify Ahura Mazda’s creations, and is the path/medium of communication, between man and Ahura Mazda. He is therefore mankinds’ intorculator to Divinity. He is the medium by which we get to interact or communion  (Daresma/Darshana) with Ahura Mazda.

Just as in telecommunications, our words and images are converted (purified) into digital electronic signals in order to be transmitted, so too, Atash, takes our devotional thoughts and words, purifies (converts) them into messages that reach Ahura Mazda.

As such Atarsh is our communicating tool to Ahura Mazda.

From the Atar-sh Neyash:

Athro Ahurahe Mazdao puthraa,

Aathraa the purifying messenger (communicator) to thee O Ahura Mazda

Tava Atarsh Puthra Ahurahe Mazdao,

Thy Purifying, communing  Fire, O Ahura Mazda,

Athro Ahurahe Mazdao Puthraa,

Aathraa the purifying messenger (communicator) to Ahura Mazda

Khvarenangho Savangho Mazda-dhatahe

That Royal, radiant, Purifying force instituted by Mazda.

Airyanaam khvareno Mazda dhatanam,

The ethical radiance of the Aryans, whose actions exemplify Mazdas’ Postulates

Kavaheyaa-cha  khvarenangho Mazda-dhatahe,

That knowledgeable radiance of the Great wise Kavas (Philosopher-Kings), who follow Mazdas’ postulates

Athro Ahurahe Mazdao Puthraa,

Aathraa thee purifying messenger (communicator) to Ahura Mazda

A consonance is found in the Vedas[2] which describes Agni as characteristically a messenger (Data'/dutá) appointed by gods and by men to be an 'oblation-bearer'; taking the offerings of men to the gods and bringing the gods to the sacrifice. He is also a divine bird; the eagle of the sky, and he takes possession of the wood just as a bird perches on a tree. Wood is his food (Prize), melted butter or ghee, and Hoama (Soma) his beverage. The Vedics nourished him three times a day as opposed to 5 times by Zarathushtis.

In the Avesta, Wood (Aesmo and Baresmo), Ghee/butter (Gao) and hoama[3] (Havano) are offered. 

This can be seen from the declaration in the Atarsh Neyash:
“Aesmo Zasto, Baresmo Zasto, Gao zasto, Havano Zasto”.

Daityo Aesme Buyaoo                              

I invoke that righteous Law, propelling (running) the Universe as fuel for clarity of thought & illumination of the mind

Daityo Baodhi Buyao,                     

That like a sweet perfume stimulates Soul Consciousness,

Daityo Pithwi Buyao,                               

Like  butter, (quick ignition) energizes the soul

Daityo Upa-sayane Buyao,                

Like (slow burning) wood, fuels sustenance/persistence

Prenaa-yush hare-thraa Buyao        

  Blazing high, like the divine majestic mountain (Mt. Hare-thraa)

                                                                         

Dahmayush Hare-thraa Buyaoo,                 

 Vanquishing evil, in our homes & growing in  purity

Atarsh puthra Ahurahe Mazdao            

Atash, thou purifying communication medium to  Ahura Mazda.

One may note that no animal sacrifices are offered. True sacrifice comes from the self and not from torturing an animal. 

This outer sacrifice reflects an inner sacrifice of Aeshma (the negative emotions/mentalities of: envy, greed, malice, anger, sloth, and ego) to the flame of cosmic consciousness, with "Gao" or Ghee (butter made from cow milk) being the highest form representing self sacrifice.

  

Symbolising the clear Light of Knowledge, the word “Gau” (meaning Cow, following the Avestic imagery of combining spiritual and material aspects) here, applies to a product of the Cow, namely clarified butter. The term “pithwi” used in Atash neyash, meaning to fatten/butter, supports this contention. As  Yasna 32.8 comes out very strongly against animal sacrifices, there is no scope of this term Gao having any other meaning.   Gau also refers to mother earth and the moon, which according to our ancients was once part of the earth. Its spiritual meaning therefore represents the highest sacrifice: self-sacrifice.

According to David Frawley, The term “Ghr-ta”, for clarified Ghee, the symbol of clear light, is cognate with the Greek word “Christos” the anointed one. 

Hoama[4], means truth, prosperity, light. “Concealed in the growths of earth, in the divine waters of existence (Zao-thro-byo: the divine waters) ; even here in our physical being,  this  immortalizing ambrosia  has to be pressed out and offered to the Almighty”. The squeezing of the juices out of the Ephedra stems therefore mimics the requirement of regular, conscientious(Sev[5]-ishta) effort to conquer physical limitations.

David Frawley[6] further states that, “Euchrist, the Christian Greek for the holy sacrament is derived from  Vedic Su-haritas. Thus when Christ says at the last communion that “this is my body”, the actual Greek term for body being “Soma”, (Avestic Hoama) the vedic God of Immortal wine & nectar. Frawley therefore considers the last communion into be the Christian modification of the soma sacrifice, & the medieval search for the holy grail, reflecting the search for the ancient soma challis, the vessel in which the immortal soma was held & from which it could be partaken of, to achieve immortality.”

  Without Atash, the sacrificial flame (of selflessness) cannot burn on the altar of the soul.  Athra therefore represents Power-Kshathra (Will), a Force of the Great Wise Dispenser, Mazda: perceptive power through knowledge (education, not instruction) …that ability, from experience, to successfully handle all of life’s situations.

Atash is said to burn and dispel evil and hence the famous “Fire Test” for proof of Pure intentions of the devotee (agni parikshaa).

Yasna 51.9:

The reward which thou bestow on both the true and the false,

Through thy blazing fire (athra) O Mazda, that discriminating test that lays bare their inner souls,

That the untruthful will end up frustrated and the truthful shall reap blessings of Light.

From the Atarsh Neyash:

Ksh-nao-thraa Ahura-he Maz-daao, Naamase-te Atar-sh Maz-daao Ahura-he hu-dhaao Maz-ishta Yaz-ata.

I invoke thy Strength and Power, O Ahura Mazda. I invoke thy enlightening light (Atarsh) for guidance; that entity ordained by Thee, worthy of the highest invocation.

Owing to the force required to kindle Agni, we find him, in the Vedas being often called 'son of strength' (sáhasah sunúh).

This is the genesis of Atar-sh being also addressed as “Son of Ahura Mazda”.

and the term Pu-thraa also taking on the complementary meaning of “Son”.

One may note, however, that the Avesta term for son is “Hanu”; as opposed to the vedic “Sanu”; and the name of the Ramayana hero “Hanu-man” (Son of Man/Creation of Man) harks back to a time when avestan and vedic terms were used interchangeably.

This complementary terms of “messenger” to Ahura Mazda and “son of” Ahura Mazda are found co-existing in the definition of Jesus as “Son of God” in Christianity and the thesis that no one can reach God except through his Son. In the Middle East, Jesus is often referred to as Isa/Isu, which happens to be an avestic term for the gifting/obstacle overcoming attribute of Ahura Mazda.

                                          

Atash, the Pu-thra (purifying communicator) to Ahura Mazda, after all is referred to in Atash Neyash as Kshathro Nafedro (the reservoir of power and knowledge, of Ahura Mazda), who acts as spiritual Counselor to humans (Nairyo-Sanghahe).

Yasna 46.8: Zarathushtras' prayer for overcoming life’s Agni pariskshas:

Yey  Va  Moee  yaao  Gae-thaa-o  dajde  a-ae-anghe

Whoever, with malicious orientation, plans evil actions, to harm me in this world

Noit  aah-yaa  maa  aathr-ish shyothanaish  fro-syaat

Let not the bellowing  flame of  their wrathful actions, affect me.

Paityo-get   taa   aah-mai  jaso-it  Dvae-shangha

Let it, instead,  invigorate me and recoil on this coven of the hateful. 

Tanvem  aa yaa  im  Hu-jyotish  paayat 

Always heeding the Call for Protection from  the enlightened faithful

Noit  du-jyotish  kachit  Mazda dvae-shangha

But, Never affording protection or perception of enlightened judgment to the antagonistic evil grouping.

Word Break-up:

Yey (whoever)

 Va (carry)

 Moee (me)

 yaao (that)

 Gae-thaa-o (universe that flows/living world)

 dajde (oriented)

 a-ae-n-ghe (malicious intent)

Noit (not)

aah-yaa (their)

 maa (bellow)

aathr-ish (flame-- of wrath)

shyothanaish (actions)

fro-syaat (touch/affect, burn)

Paityo-get (invigorate, instead)

 taa (it)

aah-mai (us/them)

 jaso-it (recoil/exhaust)

 Dvae-shangha (coven of the hateful un-enlightened)

Tanvem (my body/myself)

 aa(far)

 yaa (which)

 im (this)

 Hu-jyotish (Hu= call, Jyotish=enlightened, pure soul)

paayat (protect)

Noit (not/never)

 du-jyotish (dark, deceitful soul)

 kachit (in a Perceptive way)

 Mazda (enlightened judgment)

 dvae-shangha (evil grouping)

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[1] Yasna 17.11 and, centuries later, the Bundahishn, aver that everything has a metaphoric fire in it – men, animals, trees, plants, the clouds and the world itself. 

[2] The Avesta-Vedic commonality of the fire ritual is well known. Less known is the purification ritual of the nine-nights (Barashnom i Nau-shab) which is identical to the Indian (Bhagwad Geeta) ritual of the same name (Nava-ratri) which does homage to Mata or mother earth (our Aara-maiti). 

[3] According to researchers the Hoama/Soma priests can be described accurately as "Millers & Smiths". Ephedra shrubs, on being burnt, produce a reducing atmosphere (better than regular wood charcoal), suitable for smelting metals such as gold & copper from their ores (which was what Balkh was famous for). I believe this is the genesis of our temples using silver strands of wire instead of bound stems of an actual creeper plant in the Bareshma ceremonies.

[4]  http://www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/haoma/index.htm

[5]  The term   Sev-ishta  in the Gathas and its cognate Sav-angha  seen in the Havan Geh invocation, both referring to Hoama, and its liturgy involving squeezing  the juice out of its stems are derived from the root ‘Sav/Sev”,  meaning that which enables one to be in communion with the lord, that which binds (through love),  that which is contrived (method/procedure). This is mysticism, Holy Communion. It is in these different senses that the word has been used in the Gathas, and on the physical plane of wearing & tying our kusti. Cognate words such as Ut-sav (festivity), Aa-sav (elixir) or Sav-n (pressing of soma/homa leaves for juice) all of which are associated with delight and ecstasy.

[6] Gods, Sages and Kings, Vedic Secrets of ancient Civilization. David Frawley.

Without Atash, the Pure (Spenta) sacrificial flame (of selflessness) cannot burn on the altar of the soul.  Athra therefore represents pure intentioned, willful  use of  Power (Kshathra), through knowledge (education, not instruction) …that ability, from experience, to successfully handle all of life’s situations.