When we are trying to loose weight or start a new exercise program, we often need to motivate ourselves with some kind of incentive. Sometimes other people such as a personal trainer can help, but even then we are really motivating ourselves when we listen to their suggestions. We might buy some nice clothes we can't fit into until we do loose weight. We might make a bet with another person, or turn it into a competition. We might promise ourselves a special vacation as soon as we loose the excess weight or reach certain goals at the gym.

    Our efforts to become spiritually enlightened are very much the same. We have to find ways to stay motivated or our basically lazy human nature will find reasons to skip a day, and then two and eventually we stop completely. Initially, we may be motivated by promises of better health, a better understanding of our nature and the universe, and, of course, the promise of immortality. You would think those things would be enough to motivate you forever, but strangely, they are not. They will motivate you for a while, perhaps a year or two, then they start to fade. They don't seem that important anymore.

    When that happens, you have to do whatever it takes to motivate yourself. Remind yourself that there are wealthy people in the world who sometimes spend a great deal of money to find the Fountain of Youth or some other material thing that will make them live forever, or at least for a very long time. There money is wasted because the material can never be immortal, only the spiritual. So as one who has learned this, remind yourself when it starts to loose importance. And if that doesn't work, than use the material motivators. Promise yourself a new car if you keep up your practices for another year. Promise yourself that special vacation if you maintain it for another year. Turn it into a competition if you have to. Do whatever it takes to stay motivated so your ego and the forces of darkness won't turn you away.