“It is only necessary to institute rather simple procedures and processes that could be likened to ‘spiritual engineering’ by which identifying the structures and forces involved automatically reveals the necessary processes required to undo the basic structural functions.
… A person feels trapped by what is believed to be a worldly goal, such as money, fame, or possessions. With analysis, it becomes clear that it is not the ‘things’ themselves to which one is attracted or attached but primarily the ‘juice’ or pleasurable emotional gratification attached to them. It is really not ‘winning’ that is desired or important but the payoff of the juice of emotional satisfaction itself. Thus, the question arises not whether one can relinquish the desire for wealth and fame but ‘could one’ surrender the ‘juice’ of the payoff to God. With resistance, the mind may think… Therefore, the underlying process of resistance is not ‘could’ but ‘would’. ‘Can’t’ implies impossibility, whereas ‘don’t want to’ or ‘would’ implies that the real, underlying resistance is that of unwillingness.
To surrender a goal does not mean to automatically lose it. What is illusive via greed often effortlessly materializes as a consequence of evolving to a higher level of consciousness…
… The mind is often aware of error and character defects, but it lacks the power or incentive to surrender them. Devotion is of the heart and has the strength and motivation to overcome resistances and obstacles beyond the capacity of mere mentalization. An aspect of devotional love is constancy, as well as loyalty and commitment, “no matter what.” Devotion includes fortitude and alignment with endeavor and is like the glue that holds all these aspects together.
Devotion is like an inner valor or fortitude that incorporates courage, willingness, and conviction, together with the knowledge of essential information. It develops wisdom, patience, and forbearance with experience. … By virtue of devotion, there is alignment with inner integrity that results in the self-honesty and conviction necessary to transcend the seduction of transitory emotional payoffs of the intransigent ego.
… the choice is by decision and assent of the inner will, and by this assent, the enormous power of Divine Will aligns with intention and empowers devotion to overcome all obstacles.
– Dr. David R. Hawkins, Discovery of the Presence of God p. 43-4