Using Discipline to end suffering · The Consciousness Path

Using Discipline to end suffering

I had an insight regarding discipline today. Normally I think of discipline as something I use to accomplish something new. But today I realized discipline isn't limited to "something I can't do yet". Discipline can also be used to STOP doing something I am already doing that's just causing mischief and suffering. A habit of mind that comes from a bottom line belief, backed by an assumption, usually about me. I can hold a vigil. Notice the habit whenever it comes up. I can learn to be a grown-up and just stop doing it. And I can contemplate the bottom line if it's super strong and just won't go away. All of this takes discipline.

In case you're all wondering, the habit I have that I'm now working on is social (of course!). It's where I try to be "helpful" to others by offering advice, then I feel hurt or disappointed when my advice is rejected or dismissed in some way. Then I fester and obsess over it for days afterwards. It always passes, but then something else always takes its place. Maybe some of you have something like this going on as well.

Somehow knowing I can bring discipline to this problem has already changed my relationship to the matter. I am committed to ending this type of suffering.

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