It's like developing the path. The base is the most importand. Nobody see's that, right stand, right view, right under-standing, but all up depends on the base, the foundation, found on firm soil. The pillars are like right resolve, right intention, direction. The three pillars, not going after sensuality, not harming, non-conflict, allow elevate from the earth. They need to be straight, not a little bend. Otherwise pulled back down again. Virtue forms the ring rafters, like a fence, holding right resolve together and carry as refined base above the earth. Right effort forms the roof rafters upwardly, more and more refined, up to a peak. Sati holds together the rafter of right effort. Only once sati is then firm structured, the roof material is laued above it, level by level, till the tiny top, where it ends on the peak, leaving even refined dependency, understanding the burden clear, behind.
Practicing is like learning to build such. It requires means, skills, effort, of which might be always different. When knowing all well, tried often in many ways, more ease since always having an alternative at side? Sometimes by means, by special techniques or be larger efforts. The more one abstains from relaying on prepeared by others, the more one can move on in every case.
Don't one think that just such "low estimated" sacrifice of generosity does not provide with higher purification, even highest fruits, is observing harmlessness, care and proper attention.
Mudita