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Discipline in the Path
Kotishka
Veteran
in Meditation
Rising early, following the precepts, sitting daily, being quiet when necessary, and speaking with right speech and intention when required—this takes time and development. Once, I believed this brought a much-needed sense of discipline, but in my case, it has been life’s punches that revealed how foolish I was for not following them sooner.
Perhaps discipline and awareness can prevent such unnecessary suffering. Once you truly see it, it’s not as easy to fall back. Still, I cannot forget that the flaws in my character can reignite like dry tumbleweeds quite easily. Thus, the precepts and sitting are non-negotiable.
5
Comments
Great post, Kotishka.
Maybe it's a middle-way type of thing, but I tend towards the undisciplined extreme...
It's always discipline that gets me on the straight&narrow and ultimately happy, healthy, and sane.
It's always non-discipline that gets me into trouble.
Onwards with your efforts and I hope I gain more discipline too
Wishing you well with your journey into discipline. 🙏
love you bodhi> @Kotishka said:
ty bodhi koishka. i will join in discipline in my zen be and do.
what im realizing soon dicipline becomes u...a way of life.
since you are a zenist like me, chop wood carry water on...
a tidbit, why we practice is to be the unborn like shakimooni. our mind is buddha.through awareness we be awake to nirvanna.
the buudha nature is be and do with ordinary mind. but sit, you will be the samstate of all in all--the natural sambodhi flavor of...the dharmakaya...happy, bliss,peace
our discipline is like ink drawing a circle...complete in your self.
namaste, sambodhi in me bow the sambodhi in u.
s.a.m bodhi...nirvana is in samsara by the grace of sam ohm our dharmakaya mother
For me, attempts at discipline often led to tension and rigidity, forcing myself to act in a certain way. But really relaxation only came on being convinced of the right way and then letting go of discipline.
In a way discipline is someone who is not totally convinced trying their best. I’d advise working on motivation — looking at the questions you still have, and finding the best answers you can.
Similar experience here.
I would say to my former Kotik, “Please be more disciplined — you will save yourself from unnecessary suffering!” That would have been a wise decision. But I did not. I had to repeat everything. Again.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ud3nMv44SjA/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLC4UVLQV45wtAI_9XAjIfCWPpFPjg
That is my motivation right now. There was a Zen teacher I once listened to who said, “Stop reacting,” and that was what occurred. I did not force myself. I wanted to. Of course, this morning, while I was oversleeping and started my morning zazen 10 minutes later than usual, I had to “force” myself out of bed to do it.
But this is like when you are feeling lazy and want to close your eyes at night, yet you drag your (my) fat gluteus maximus out of bed to brush your (my) teeth.
Now is when I add the stereotypically Buddhist phrase: The Middle Way is the Way!
Motivation to develop positive habits and refrain from habits that harm us, for me at least, have come largely from experience. I see the results from different behaviors, when that sinks in, the need for discipline fades and my motivation to do or avoid becomes easier. It takes discipline to gain experience though, trying to convince myself cognitively helps but generally doesn't get it done.
It's related to thinking about the paramitas recently for me. Sila is similar to discipline in that you say/vow you're going to do something and then you do it. And why do you meditate? For your own and others wellbeing? That's generosity maybe or Dhana. And having decided that meditation is virtuous you hit a wall of resistance maybe. So do you wait for the wall to disappear? Or do you meditate working through the wall? That would be Kshanti or perseverance.
Discipline is the catalyst for the acceptance of change.
It is discipline that brings one to the cushion.
It is discipline that keeps one seated, even when every part wants to rise.
It is discipline that gives awareness the freedom to roam.
And it is disciplined awareness that remains open to change.