I.
Strive to excel physically, mentally, and emotionally in all endeavors. Utilize these strengths in the service of oneself and others.

II.
Always endeavor to do good and take the right path Do not burden your decisions with bias or self-interest. Your pursuit of what is right may cause others to feel slighted or hurt despite your best efforts; temper your justice with mercy and compassion.

III.
If your path makes you an outcast or unpopular stay focused and do not waver. For in the end, you must be true and answer to yourself alone.

IV.
Always be loyal and committed to friends, family, and the path you choose. There is no compromise with loyalty; it is total or does not exist.

V.
Conflict and confrontation are a part of everyday life. Choose your battles wisely; avoid meaningless confrontation. If you have skill, do not advertise. Be confident, but humble. Confidence is respected, but arrogance leads to trouble.

VI.
If you must defend yourself, do so wisely. In verbal confrontation, defend with humility and logic rather than be drawn into battle over something that may be as trivial as rain. If the confrontation becomes physical, and all peaceable options are exhausted, combat must be swift and decisive.

VII.
The path should come naturally and may at times seem difficult, but it should never be personally taxing or expensive to body or mind. There should be no personal sacrifice or daunting experiences. If the path becomes rugged you must exhibit courage. There is a support structure in place should you fall by the wayside. Put aside fear, uncertainty, and regret and take action; whether it is to fight or flee. Do not stagnate and never surrender. Staying true to yourself during times of adversity will result in you coming out stronger than before.

VIII.
You must have a strong foothold in life by having faith in yourself. This will give you hope against all that comes by tapping your inner strength. If you feel forsaken by all, your faith will help you prevail. You may have to be your own guide and friend along your path in order to shape your destiny. This will lead to self enlightenment and fulfillment.

IX.
Exhibit pride in all that you do but be humble and never boastful. The spotlight should not always be on you. Use wisdom to know when you should show pride in yourself and others.

X.
Stay mindful of the sway that fear holds over you and overcome it. If you find yourself fearful, try reciting a mantra. The writings of Frank Herbert, in the book Dune, are one example for controlling fear: "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner-eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." Do not let fear govern any part of your chosen path or prevent you from doing the right thing. Approach it with a whole heart; steadfast in your resolve to move on. You truly have nothing to fear but fear itself.

XI.
Maintain good character. The way you carry yourself and interact with others is extremely visible. Our actions resonate like the ripples in a still pond after a pebble has been cast into it. They expand and impact others in unforeseen ways. It is imperative that the "ripples" we cause are positive.

XII.
Stay motivated in everything that you do. Motivation drives action; action without motivation is wasted energy. Simply going through the motions is wrong. Everything we do should have purpose.

XIII.
Discipline is paramount. Your mind must be calm, like an undisturbed pool of water. Use it to conquer emotions that cloud your thoughts. Your being must be tranquil which requires physical, mental, and emotional discipline. Make it part of your nature and when the time comes, bring it to bear and act without hesitation or doubt.

XIV.
Focusing on the present and striving to make a positive contribution is of the utmost importance. But be mindful of both past and future. The past is our teacher; showing us the error of our ways. Look also to the future, and develop the faculties necessary to perceive what is to come. Use your actions in the present to make the best possible future for others and yourself but not lose site of the here and now. Life is a wondrous journey; do not miss anything along the way.

XV.
Do not interfere in the lives of others; such as giving advice unsolicited. The goal is for the atmosphere to cultivate itself and allow things to happen on their own, not through influence and manipulation. Some may react adversely if advice is given at the wrong time or at all.

XVI.
Life requires study. One should always remember that there is more to learn. We must train our bodies and minds daily. To do otherwise is to stagnate which is an anathema to the Basis of Being.

XVII.
Be true to yourself and never be something you are not. Never stray from who you are and what you stand for. Never pretend to be more than you are and never try to be what others want.

XVIII.
Strive to prevent injustice in your travels and defend the weak. Do not allow evil deeds to happen or go unpunished. If it is within your ability, then stop it . If you feel incapable, get help. We are all students of the Basis of Being but we must also be its defenders and enforcers.

XIX.
Strive to live in harmony with the rest of the universe. Take only what you need to live; and waste nothing. Peace can be achieved as long as we work together.

XX.
Accept responsibility for your actions and do not blame others. You are the master of your life and are responsible for what you do. People make mistakes, which is okay because this teaches us. View each mistake as a learning experience, reflect on it, and make an effort to not repeat it.

XXI.
There is a fundamental difference between ignorance and stupidity. Ignorance is not knowing at all and stupidity is knowing and doing it wrong anyway. Not knowing something is fine; but knowing and doing it wrong is stupid. Stupidity should be painful; that way one won't do it again.

Book 1: Chapter 8: Maxim 24: It is not a weakness to separate yourself from confrontational situations. If the situation is otherwise harmless or meaningless, then it would be a waste of energy to pursue it or be drawn into it.

What is the Basis of Being?

The Basis Of Being is a groundbreaking book broken down into 13 Chapters of 28 Maxims each. Written by Liam Ballinagar & Gamble Leidolf; edited by Corine San Crainte, this wonderful pocket sized guide will change your life forever. With 364 Pearls of Wisdom, you can make but one alteration a day and by the end of 12 months, you might not recognize yourself. But of course your good deeds will have been rewarded and come back to you tenfold. Thank you for considering the Basis Of Being. If you are ready for the Future: CLICK HERE