discipline

MUSINGS - DISCIPLINE

DISCIPLINE: In its most general sense, discipline refers to systematic
instruction given to a disciple. This sense also preserves the origin of the word,
which is Latin disciplina "instruction", from the root discere "to learn," and from
which discipulus "disciple, pupil" also derives.[1] Dictionary source

Discipline, not a word liked by many. It conjures up thoughts of punishment, denial and
hard work. How many times I wished I had the discipline to stay on a diet. I envy people
who discipline seems easy and have achieve well in some endeavor they have chosen.
Why does it seem easy for some people? Am I doomed to never succeed? Is there a
magic key that suddenly you find you have it? Maybe it is just plain hard work.

If you think of discipline as taking the steps needed to obtain something you
value, then I realize I do already have some discipline. I brush my teeth every day!
Maybe it felt more like discipline in the beginning and is now just habit. Is that the key?
You have to push yourself hard in the beginning until it becomes habit. Maybe it is
because what we value hasn't been obtained yet so we have to imagine what it will be like.

Who decided on this value we have to be discipline about? Maybe the value is put upon
me by a parent, society or spouse. Maybe I just need to let go of their values residing in
me. I am not so sure it is my inability to be discipline but that it is not my value I am
pursuing. If I truly value something, I think I would just naturally pursue it. I know with
dieting it has to be me deciding to diet or it just won’t happen. It’s complex though. There
are the physical addictions, habits, beliefs and fears to be acknowledged in order to
achieve what you value. It’s a bit of work but not something anybody can force or give
another or yourself. So the true discipline has to do with recognizing and letting go of
the habits, beliefs and fears that no longer serve you and keep you from what you
are wanting for yourself.

I guess that is why the first step is so hard. We have to clear the way. Besides the value
we seek is usually a feeling we desire and we get weighted down in thought. If I were to
follow my rhythms, I would just take a walk when I am inspired instead of going to my head
and thinking of all the reasons I can’t do that just now. While routine helps us move
toward what we value, it doesn't always work or really give us what we desire. It becomes
a habit. We become robotic. We don’t feel what we are doing any more.

I believe, it is an internal process of discovering what you truly desire. Maybe what we
truly value is a feeling and not an end result. I think for your action to remain true to your
desire, we need to learn to act on our feelings and not our minds. I think within us all there
is a voice that knows exactly what we need to do to create what we desire. I think we just
need to practice listening and acting from that place in us and not the highly influenced
mind that is so familiar. It is a natural rhythm that is in each of us. Very young children
know their rhythm. Nature mirrors it to us. Animals respond to their own rhythm. So can
we!

WINTER 2009

Could discipline be just
a willingness to learn
who we truly are?

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