Man's life is focused and nourished by a specific energy, a “vital force,” by the search for individual meaning and by a longing for personal fulfillment.  Strength, meaning and fulfillment, however, all have a different significance according to whether a man identifies himself with his “world—ego” or with his essential being—his “authentic self.”  Strength from the standpoint of the “world—ego” is the quality which enables man to survive efficiently in the world.  His strength—his meaning and self definition grow out of any kind of work including service to the community that is valid, valued and recognized in the world.  A sense of personal fulfillment is brought about by what ever finally sets the mind at rest.  Whether that mechanism be a successful career, accumulation of material possessions or wealth.

When, however, man is identified with his “essential being,” strength is the result of contact with his essential being.  Then personal meaning is derived from a sense of alignment to the requirements of essential being, when one aligns with this inner transparency, fulfillment is at hand.  When man identifies with his “world—ego” he's dependent on the world; he needs the world and relies upon it to give himself meaning.  The development and functionality of his worldly strength, as well as his self-confidence and ability to survive, are a condition on all sides of external factors.  Under such conditions he is liable to be easily upset, touchy, quick to feel aggravated and always on the lookout for security.  He vacillates between states of restriction and abandonment, hypertension and dissolution, elevated moods and depressed moods.  He experiences every condition except that of being firmly balanced.  This is due to a lack of a center capable of supporting him, a center which cannot be shaken. 

Once anchored in his “essential being” he becomes aware there exists within him a “center” a central core that nothing can disrupt.  From the experience of the knowing of this central core he gains stability and permanence.  The composure he gains is independent of the world, a clear sense that he is inner directed and above all, sustains a self-confidence that is independent of the world's praise or blame.  The personal significance of being “centered" is that a man can live in the midst of all the ups and downs of life and receives strength, purpose in direction from his essential being.  Unshakable and at peace, he is in alignment with his inner destiny and so manifests “divine being” in his life and in the world.