We should all practice discipline in everything that we do, but why?
Our minds tells us if it feels good do it, and do it again and again.
This is why it’s hard for someone to have just one cookie, we want more.
And what happens if we give into our desires and do decided to keep eating?
We get out of shape, our health decreases and we find it harder to concentrate, thus dulling down the Jedi’s most effective weapon, his mind.
So we must discipline ourselves, our minds, we must find balance in everything we do to find peace in all we do.
Fickleness yet discipline
As we learn, as we grow, as we continue down our path our thoughts and ideas might change. As we look at worldly “truths” from other perspectives, we might see these truths as false statements. Change is good, change implies that we are in fact learning, so in this sense some fickleness is good correct?
It depends on how you define fickleness.
Fickleness is in fact a word, made by humans who are known to evolve/change and also make mistakes, and since we made this word we can define it how we see fit. We can use it how we see fit.
If you believe that the universe is always seeking balance, that all things have both good and evil inside of it, why can’t this be the same for our words?
If we define fickleness as - likely to change, not constant or loyal in affections
We have already stated earlier that change is good since it implies we are learning so in this sense fickleness is good.
What about not being loyal in affections? That seems like a big one right?
Let’s look at the definition of affection - fond attachment, devotion, or love.
Attachment….. Many fellow Jedi’s would argue that we need to strive to live without attachment, and in fact they would not be alone. This practice is not unique to the Jedi, and has been around for a much longer time in the beliefs of Hinduism.
If you will:
“When one gives up desires in his mind, is content with the self within himself, then he is said to be a man whose insight is sure.”
“Brooding about sensuous objects makes attachment to them grow; from attachment desire arises, from desire anger is born. From anger comes confusion; from confusion memory lapses; from broken memory understanding is lost; from loss of understanding, he is ruined.”
“But when a man finds delight within himself and feels inner joy and pure contentment in himself, there is nothing more to be done. He has no stake here in deeds done or undone, nor does his purpose depend on other creatures. Always perform with detachment any action you must do; performing action with detachment, one achieves supreme good.”
-Bhagavad-Gita
So if attachment is bad thus making affection bad then in a way doesn’t this make fickleness good?
Let’s revisit this later and let’s think about discipline for a second.
Discipline - activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training.
Many would argue not to give yourself to a regimen or routine because it in turns enslaves you. Let me explain, have you ever had a routine that you started but at one point simply did not want to do it? Did you do it anyways, against your will at that moment? Is this not a form of slavery in the mind?
So is discipline good? Or does it take away our freedom?
Does it not keep you on “track,” even if that track means you missing out on the smaller joys in life?
My point here is that these words, and there meanings can have both good and bad within them.
It all depends on how we look at it.
We all know that extreme case of both discipline and fickleness could be bad.
However both are needed, as both yin and yang are needed.
For this lesson we will be looking at an extreme form of fickleness and a balanced form of discipline.
It is important for us all to practice discipline and find balance here not because someone tells us to but because we accept it to be true with us, and we do so full heartily. In a way discipline is what the Temple was founded on. Are we not all here to improve ourselves, to master ourselves?
So the question comes up of how does someone become disciplined in something?
I have outlined some steps for us to follow:
1. Set a goal
2. Understand your goal
3. Plan
4. Action
5. Reflect
6. Adapt
Step one – Set a goal. What is it that you want to become disciplined in?
Step two – Understand your goal. Truly understand it, what are the reasons for your goal? Is this what you really want? How will this affect you? Meditate on this and make sure this is a path you want to take.
Step three – Plan. How do you plan on achieving your goal?
Step four – Action – Carry out your plan.
Step five – Reflect – Now that you have achieved your goal, is this truly what you wanted? How do you plan on using your new skill? Meditate on this.
Step six – Adapt – Keep your skill sharp but also adapt as you need to. If your skill is to be able to sword fight with your right hand being dominate, and you injury our hand would you give up? You would adapt to fight with your left hand being dominate.
Discipline is good, but not if it makes you cold and dead on the inside, or makes you miss out on the true joys of life.
We must be disciplined in how he discipline ourselves, keeping in mind too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
We all have different paths here but the underline goal for many of us is the same. With this we must always seek balance in everything we do.
As I have stated above we might change but one thing does remain the same and that is who we are:
I am a Jedi, an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred I shall bring love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
I am a Jedi.
I shall never seek so much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
The Force is with me always, for I am a Jedi.
I leave you all with a quote:
“Perform actions, firm in discipline, relinquishing attachment; be impartial to failure and success-this equanimity is called discipline.” - Bhagavad-Gita
And a request:
To meditate on this lesson and provide me with feedback both positive but also constructive as this is my first sermon J .
May the force be with you all.
