We often think of discipline as something that deprives us of life’s pleasures and comforts. For example, we may fear that waking up early to meditate means losing sleep. 

To succeed at disciplining ourselves, we need to shift our focus. Rather than dwelling so much on what we will need to give up to discipline ourselves, we can dwell on what we are already giving up because of not being disciplined. By not meditating, or specifically not meditating in the early morning hours when we can best absorb ourselves in higher realities beyond this world, we are depriving ourselves of a strong spiritual anchor that could shelter us during life’s upheavals. 

While we may appreciate the need for such a shift of focus, we may find it difficult to actually shift focus. This is where the Bhagavad-gita can help us, especially in terms of its analysis of the dynamics of our inner world. Gita wisdom explains that there is a part inside us that usually takes a short-term view of things — that part is the mind, which is restless like a child (06.34). 

Rather than expecting our mind to change its tendency, we can change our expectation from it. That is, we can stop expecting that it will develop a long-term vision; and we can learn to distance ourselves from it. If we can remember that the mind’s perspective is just the perspective of one part of us, we won’t uncritically accept its perspective; instead, we will consciously seek an alternative perspective. When we thus shift our focus to the costs of the lack of discipline instead of the costs of discipline, we will feel more motivated to discipline ourselves. 

One-sentence summary: 

When we fear that discipline will deprive us of so many things, remind ourselves, “That is just my short-sighted mind speaking; I can and will choose an alternative perspective that focuses on what the lack of discipline is depriving me of.” 

Think it over:

  • How can shifting our focus help us become more disciplined?
  • How can Gita wisdom help us in shifting our focus? 
  • In what area does the cost of discipline weaken your motivation? What can you do about it?

***

06.34: The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind. 

When discipline feels like self-deprivation …

To know more about this verse, please click on the image