Compassionate Self-Discipline

A friend of mine recently told me about a new book by Cheri Huber, Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline. Cheri Huber had been for some years a favorite author of mine, so naturally I traipsed off to the bookstore to look at her new book. I was particularly drawn to the title of the book, as self-discipline, or rather the lack of it, has long been a real stumbling block for me. Leafing through the book, it was not long before I realized she had another winner. Early on Cheri describes compassionate self-discipline:

"Compassionate self-discipline is nothing other than being present rather than engaged in distracted, unfocused, addictive behaviors."

What a marvelous concept! Just think: if I could manage to be more present -- something I aspire to anyway -- then maybe I could naturally develop more self-discipline. I am thrilled with the promise this holds out. She continues her description:

"Compassionate self-discipline is simply allowing the innate intelligence and generosity that is your authentic nature to guide you in every moment."

Who wouldn't want to be guided by their innate intelligence? She goes on to describe the fruits of following this guidance:

"With this guidance you will be not only disciplined, you will be spontaneous, clear, awake, aware, efficient, appropriate, respectful, grateful, kind, honest, sincere, expressive, steady, dependable, responsible, peaceful, joyful, and satisfied."

What a fantastic path! By simply following our inner guidance, not only will we be self-disciplined (which would be reward enough), but our lives will be marked by great virtue. And we'll be happy as clams. Sign me up.

Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond

Philosopher that I am, on the back burner of my mind is an ongoing investigation into this marvelous experience we are all sharing called Life. (In fact, that's what this weblog is largely about.) There is a program running in the back of my mind -- always running! -- that is trying to figure it all out. I think that if I keep on thinking about it all long and deep enough, I'll finally breakthrough and Understand the Mystery.

Then a few mornings ago I opened up "Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond," by Ajahn Brahm, a marvelous "meditator's handbook." I turned to page 12 and read the following:

"Sometimes we assume it is through the inner commentary that we know the world. Actually, that inner speech does not know the world at all. It is the inner speech that spins the delusions that cause suffering. Inner speech causes us to be angry with our enemies and to form dangerous attachments to our loved ones. Inner speech causes all of life's problems. It constructs fear and guilt, anxiety and depression. It builds these illusions as deftly as the skillful actor manipulates the audience to create terror or tears."

This hit me like a splash of cold water on my sleepy face. So, this instrument, the mind, with which I have been trying to understand life and the world, "does not know the world at all"! It "spins delusions" and "causes all of life's problems." Hmmm, seems I'm going to have to recalibrate my strategy for discovering Truth. I am confident Brahm has it right, as his assertions align with the teachings of spiritual masters down the ages: it is mindfulness rather than thinking that reveals the Truth. I am reminded of the words of Sri Aurobindo, "There is nothing that mind can do that cannot be better done in the mind's thought-free stillness." So off with the thinking and the endless train of words. Time for silent awareness.

Do It Now

There are many values, virtues, principles, and lessons I need to learn, but the one I seem to be most in need of learning, and the one with which I struggle the most, is Do It Now. Ralph Marston (http://greatday.com) puts it well:

"Things you're always going to do later never do get done. What you put off until someday will always be out of your reach.

"If anything is important enough to do someday, then it is worth starting on right now. If you're going to actually do it, then you must do it in the moment you're in.

"Procrastination may seem like an easy way to avoid taking action. What it really is, though, is an ever-increasing burden of guilt and regret that you place on yourself.

"Think of how awful it feels to know that you could have done, or could be doing, but instead you waited until too late. Fortunately, there is a simple and highly effective way to ease that burden.

"Take action now. Choose something that you have continued putting off, and go ahead and get it done.

"You've made many great plans and promises. Go ahead, act on them, and see how great it is to make them real."

These wise words are now posted on my office wall. Maybe that will help me get it.

Be Suspicious of Yourself

A friend of mine sent me this marvelous poem by the incomparable Rumi. Take a deep drink and enjoy!

Everything you do has a quality
which comes back to you in some way.

Every action takes a form in the invisible world,
which may be different from how you thought

it would appear. A crime is committed,
and a gallows begins to be built. One does not

look like the other, but they correspond.
Accept the results of what you've done in anger,

or for greed, or to elevate your ego. Don't blame
fate! That dog lies in the kennel

and will not respond to anyone's calling.
Be suspicious of yourself! Inquire

about your hidden motives. It takes courage
to repent, and more courage to change.

But realize this: just as dustgrains shine
in sunlight coming through this window,

so there's a light of reality, within which ideas,
hidden hypocrisies, and the qualities

of every action become clear. All you've done
and will do will be seen in the light of that sun.

The Natural State

I chanced upon a website of great wisdom and insight the other day. This guy John Wheeler really smacks of enlightenment. If you have any interest in the big questions of life, especially, Who Am I?, I'm sure you'll like the site. You can find it at http://www.thenaturalstate.org/ Here's a sample of what you'll find under "Pointers":

"The basic point is that through all thoughts, feelings and experiences, your natural being remains, present and aware. Like the sun above the clouds, that remains free and clear always. It is so clear, present and available it need not be attained, realize or practiced — simply noticed as the ever-present natural state."

The Present Moment

It's been twenty years since I first discovered this quotation, and it enchants me today as much as ever it did. This wondrous excerpt from Abandonment to Divine Providence by a Jesuit priest was included in Alan Watts' autobiography, and today I present it as my gift to you:

"If we knew how to greet each moment as the manifestation of the Divine Will, we will find in it all the heart could desire. The present moment is always filled with infinite treasures: it contains more than you care capable of receiving. The Divine Will is an abyss of which the present moment is the entrance; plunge fearlessly therein and you will find it more boundless than your desire."

Until One Is Committed

It's been more than twenty years since I was first introduced to the following bit of wisdom, which may very well be the best thing ever written about the inestimable value of commitment:

Until one is committed
There is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,
Always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),
There is one elementary truth,
The ignorance of which kills countless ideas
And splendid plans:
That the moment one definitely commits oneself,
Then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one
That would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision
Raising in one's favor all manner
Of unforeseen incidents and meetings
And material assistance,
Which no man could have dreamt
Would have come his way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.