Self Discipline

Building on the literal meaning of discipline, self discipline is the ability to work with the instructions that come in and out of your head on a daily basis. It is learning to discern which thoughts create peace and happiness and which ones create stress and suffering. Paying attention to your relationship with your thoughts and how you react to them is the foundation of developing self discipline.

Discipline can be a difficult word for most of us. It conjures up images of somebody standing over you with a stick, telling you to do something or else. I find that if we view discipline as an external force that is confining or restricting we will never develop discipline. Viewing discipline as something that comes from within, hence self discipline, can lead to the cultivation of wisdom and a true feeling of freedom and stability within your life.

When you are trying to change a behavior or create a new pattern—paying attention is the critical component. For instance let’s use the example of creating a consistent exercise program. You have a time scheduled when you are going to exercise. As you get closer to the time you are supposed to exercise pay attention to any thoughts that start to sabotage your intentions. As you start to see the thoughts begin to label them as sabotage and then return to the present moment before you begin reacting to them. Taking a deep breath in and exhaling fully can help you develop a relationship with the present moment. This relationship will help you let go of self sabotaging thoughts. The thoughts will slowly lose their power as you learn not to identify with them and return to the present moment—you are pruning your brain!

The first time you see the thought you may get excited because you have never fully seen that the thought holds you back from what you want. I promise you the second time you see the thought you will also notice that they now have supporting thoughts. This is the wiring's way of pulling in other wires in the hope of not being pruned. If you stay present and pay attention without reacting the thoughts will leave within no time. Each time you watch the thoughts and don’t react to them they lose their power—you are now on your way to developing new wiring within your brain.
The process of developing self discipline is some of the most challenging work you will ever do. It is also some of the most rewarding. It is only hard if we stop breathing through it. If we keep returning to the breath we will develop self discipline and wiring that supports our deepest intentions.