To accomplish this, we must organise our life within the framework of the Noble Eightfold Path. We can best realise our immediate aims by drawing up an individual life plan in keeping with our powers and circumstances. This life plan must be realised. It must envisage a realistic development of our innate potential, steering us towards the fullest actualisation of our possibilities.

At the start, we require an honest understanding of ourselves. It is pointless to devise a workable life plan on he foundation stone of grandiose delusions about our character and abilities. The more we find out about ourselves, by self-observation and self-examination, the better will be our chances of self-improvement. We should ask ourselves how far and to what degree we are generous, kind, even-tempered, considerate, honest, sober in morals, truthful, diligent, energetic, industrious, cautious, patient, tolerant and tactful. These are the qualities we ourselves should emulate.

We need to improve ourselves wherever we are weak. A little practice everyday is all that is necessary. We should remember that the more often an action is performed, the easier it becomes for us to perform it in the future and the stronger becomes the tendency to do it again and again until it becomes a habit, an ingrained part of our character.

Our life plan should cover all the main areas of a normal householder's life, including occupation, marriage, the creation and raising of children, retirement, old age and death. The happiness of lay life consists in finding our exactly what one can do and doing it well. A clear mental picture of a practical aim in life and a realistic sketch of the steps needed to achieve that aim will help guide us to the fulfilment of our ideal. We tend to become what we really want to be, provided we at realistically and effectively to realise our aim.