Innate (Basic) And Acquired Value

Everything we see has what can be called its* acquired value* and
its*innate or basic value
*. *The acquired value is that which it has picked up by coming into
contact with external objects throughout its existence or life. The innate
value is what it always is irrespective of its external interactions.* For
example, the acquired value of gold changes with the fluctuations of its
price in the market. Its innate or real value is that it's one of the most
beautiful metals; very ductile, malleable, etc.

If we were asked about the qualities of any good, peaceful relationship
with someone, we would quickly reply: love, trust, patience, respect,
honesty, sincerity, tolerance, humility, sympathy, etc. How do we know
this? Is it purely from experience? Can we remember having really
experienced any of these qualities in any relationship completely and
constantly? Probably no. Then how can we say it is from experience? In such
a case, where does this urge for rightness come from? Our heart tells us it
comes from a basic, inherent sense of what is true and good, of our innate
value. Though these qualities are what we see as our ideal qualities; when
I am in a weakened state, I'm unable to bring them into practice, when I
want, according to the needs of the moment. They need to be strengthened
inside. One of the most immediate benefits of the practice of meditation
then, is to bring about this internal strengthening. My basic qualities are
just waiting for a chance to emerge out in the open. *Like a light bulb
without current, possibility of lighting up my qualities exists, but they
need to be connected to a source of power, which is exactly what meditation
gives us.*