Self-discipline enables a positive outlook

After an enormous struggle, we may move only a small step towards the Truth; however, the invisible hand helping us will never fail us. Such was the belief of the scientist Madame Curie. On the one hand, we face serious challenges in every walk of life and on the other, our mental capacity to deal with them expands enormously with every barrier we encounter. The most desirable attribute to cultivate is self-discipline, it helps us become aware of the mistakes we make in pursuing our own goals. At the same time, it makes us proficient at realising our potential and utilising it skilfully.

It requires a great deal of effort to pursue good action, which may be possible only when we have self-discipline. Otherwise, we tend to repeat selfish deeds. We may try to create fortune and secure our future at the cost of others. Indeed, Yudhishthir, in Mahabharat, mentions that the greatest wonder in the world is that despite realising our transient existence on our visit to a cremation ground, the next moment we behave as if we are going to live on earth forever. Our biggest folly is when people try to deprive others and benefit at their expense, not realising that their unfair action can be the cause of one’s loss.

Similarly, gross inequality at societal level is not always the result of differences in endowments and capabilities. Our self-centred actions cause deprivation for others, and inequality begets inequality.

Vivekananda said, “Him i call a mahatma, great soul, whose heart bleeds for the poor.” Tagore urged that your god stands where the tiller tills the hard ground and where the path maker breaks the stones. It is through self-discipline that we can envision the broader outcome of our individual actions.

Sometimes we are frustrated with the adverse outcomes of our hard work. But the gift of self-discipline teaches us to interpret everything with a positive spirit. For example, we may realise that a painful result contains the seed of innovation, which takes us a step forward. What we sometimes consider the end may be the beginning of an era.

Another virtue associated with self-discipline is the ability to ignore others’ follies. If we are unhappy with an individual, our conscience can help us recall benefits we may have received from that person. Such recalling makes our frustrations smaller, and mind revives with positive energy.

If someone is constantly harming us, through self-discipline, we learn not to settle the score. At the same time, we maintain a distance and self-protect in a manner that negativity does not come our way.

Forgiveness does not mean that we must trust someone perpetually.

Self-discipline ignites intelligence in a way that one sticks to the path of creativity. The mental energy is greatly enhanced: the closure of one path opens hundreds of alternative channels. These options may already exist, but we were not able to realise them, or, with our enhanced capacity, we may create new options. Both the individual and society can benefit from pursuit of self-discipline.