Self discipline is mostly defined as the ability to control oneself, wherein the 'oneself' takes its myriad shapes and forms, depending on who is saying it and the context - control feelings, control senses, controlling distractions and so on. This is one level of truth; controlling these manifestations of the self does lead to some sort of a discipline in functioning.
What is discipline? It is defined in the crudest way possible as training to obey, through punishment and / or penitence. This is one level of truth; most systems and spaces use this for maintaining law and order and agreed that this is necessary. Penitence of course falls squarely in the space of self disciplining.
However, I see that control (controlling of the self) and training and punishment (towards disciplining) can only go so far and no more. These meanings and actions can be used for immediate and urgent purposes and in not-stable states of being, however to continue with them as the standard for all times can only bring disaster. For, this brings in control and training from an external source in order to establish right action, and this is necessary in difficult times. But this in no way ensures that transformation has occurred within and the inappropriate action will not be repeated. Penitence, insofar as it is regret is fine and can be translated to action, but penitence as guilt is a non-starter and leads to a destructive cycle of self blame, judgment, negative labeling and non-action.
Following this meaning and context of self discipline all the time will actually defeat itself in the long run. Training to control could be like training a dog or a horse and I can only visualise the animal straining at the leash, hurting itself, its throat. Over time, the leash will fray; at some point the animal may turn and attack the trainer. Gradually the animal may get trained to obey by way of punishment (and reward). There is no question here of self thought, discovery and understanding*. We do the same to ourselves. We are our own puppets. In this space and path of self discipline, we manipulate and destroy ourselves. That self is becoming more and more contorted and twisted.
A higher form of discipline takes off from the word, 'disciple', from being a disciple. A disciple is a follower, devoted to something or someone. In being a disciple, he thinks some thoughts, does not think others, follows some practices, eschews practices that does not help her in being a disciple and so on. And hence he / she is on the path of discipline. Does he / she slip? Of course, yes. He may indulge for a while in a practice that does not help the disciple in him. She may not actively take up actions that are required for her to be a wholesome disciple. But the context and framework for the self discipline is clear.
So, disciplining arises from a purpose. Taken this way, I sometimes feel that all disciplining can only be self disciplining - be it any entity, an individual, a village, an organisation, a campaign... "What is that purpose?" that disciplining is arising from, is of course an entire domain of its own and worth an independent inquiry and space.
What will happen in this kind of disciplining is that, 'discipline' is removed from its shackles of being a station that one has to get off at, and becomes a journey of self discovery and understanding. On this journey, the self is understood better and better, deeper: Why are there some fears? When is it that one is courageous? When does one feel sad? When, happy? How does one act with others? Why do I think in a particular way? What makes one feel energetic? What makes me follow the path of discipline... and so on and so forth.
And then, when the patterns of the self start getting clearer and clearer, the road of discipline also gets sparkling clear ahead of oneself. And this may include moments of a cruder form of self discipline, may include times of indulgence or violation and so on, however one can be back on the road, or perhaps is still on it and playing hooky. There is then the process of penitence and prayaschittam, in their higher forms, all in the path of self discovery (disciplining).
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* It of course is an assumption that one actually wants all that in the first place - authentic thought, discovery and understanding; however we are looking at a meaning of self discipline that will sustain, and that sustenance includes these ideas.
What is discipline? It is defined in the crudest way possible as training to obey, through punishment and / or penitence. This is one level of truth; most systems and spaces use this for maintaining law and order and agreed that this is necessary. Penitence of course falls squarely in the space of self disciplining.
However, I see that control (controlling of the self) and training and punishment (towards disciplining) can only go so far and no more. These meanings and actions can be used for immediate and urgent purposes and in not-stable states of being, however to continue with them as the standard for all times can only bring disaster. For, this brings in control and training from an external source in order to establish right action, and this is necessary in difficult times. But this in no way ensures that transformation has occurred within and the inappropriate action will not be repeated. Penitence, insofar as it is regret is fine and can be translated to action, but penitence as guilt is a non-starter and leads to a destructive cycle of self blame, judgment, negative labeling and non-action.
Following this meaning and context of self discipline all the time will actually defeat itself in the long run. Training to control could be like training a dog or a horse and I can only visualise the animal straining at the leash, hurting itself, its throat. Over time, the leash will fray; at some point the animal may turn and attack the trainer. Gradually the animal may get trained to obey by way of punishment (and reward). There is no question here of self thought, discovery and understanding*. We do the same to ourselves. We are our own puppets. In this space and path of self discipline, we manipulate and destroy ourselves. That self is becoming more and more contorted and twisted.
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| Photo taken at Nirkunram Campers near Chengalpet |
So, disciplining arises from a purpose. Taken this way, I sometimes feel that all disciplining can only be self disciplining - be it any entity, an individual, a village, an organisation, a campaign... "What is that purpose?" that disciplining is arising from, is of course an entire domain of its own and worth an independent inquiry and space.
What will happen in this kind of disciplining is that, 'discipline' is removed from its shackles of being a station that one has to get off at, and becomes a journey of self discovery and understanding. On this journey, the self is understood better and better, deeper: Why are there some fears? When is it that one is courageous? When does one feel sad? When, happy? How does one act with others? Why do I think in a particular way? What makes one feel energetic? What makes me follow the path of discipline... and so on and so forth.
And then, when the patterns of the self start getting clearer and clearer, the road of discipline also gets sparkling clear ahead of oneself. And this may include moments of a cruder form of self discipline, may include times of indulgence or violation and so on, however one can be back on the road, or perhaps is still on it and playing hooky. There is then the process of penitence and prayaschittam, in their higher forms, all in the path of self discovery (disciplining).
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* It of course is an assumption that one actually wants all that in the first place - authentic thought, discovery and understanding; however we are looking at a meaning of self discipline that will sustain, and that sustenance includes these ideas.
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