Are You Lacking Self-Discipline? - Part 1

A man does not live until he begins to discipline himself; he merely exists. Like an animal he gratifies his desires and pursues his inclinations just where they may lead him. He is happy as a beast is happy, because he is not conscious of what he is depriving himself; he suffers as the beast suffers, because he does not know the way out of suffering. He does not intelligently reflect upon life, and lives in a series of sensations, longings, and confused memories which are unrelated to any central idea or principle. A man whose inner life is so ungoverned and chaotic must necessarily manifest this confusion in the visible conditions of his outer life in the world; and though for a time, running with the stream of his desires, he may draw to himself a more or less large share of the outer necessities and comforts of life, he never achieves any real success nor accomplishes any real good, and sooner or later wordly failure and disaster are inevitable, as the direct result of the inward failure to properly adjust and regulate those mental forces which make the outer life.

Before a man accomplish anything of an enduring nature in the world he must first of all acquire some measure of success in the management of his own mind. This is as mathematical a truism as that two and two are four, for, "out of the heart are the issues of life." If a man cannot govern the forces within himself, he cannot hold a firm hand upon the outer activities which form his visible life. On the other hand, as a man succeeds, in governing himself he rises to higher and higher levels of power and usefulness and success in the world. The only difference between the life of the beast and that of the undisciplined man is that the man has a wider variety of desires, and experiences a greater intensity of suffering. It may be said of such a man that he is dead, being truly dead to self-control, chastity, fortitude, and all the nobler qualities which constitute life. In the consciousness of such a man the crucified Christ ies entombed, awaiting that resurrection which shall revivify the mortal sufferer, and wake him up to a knowledge of tha realities of his existence.

With the practice of self-discipline a man begins to live, for he then commences to rise above the inward confusion and to adjust his conduct to a steadfast centre within himself. He ceases to follow where inclination leads him, reins in the steed of his desires, and lives in accordance with the dictates of reason and wisdom. Hitherto his life has been without purpose or meaning, but now he begins to consciously mould his own destiny; he is "clothed and in his right mind."

In the process of self-discipline there are three stages namely;

1. Control

2. Purification

3. Relinquishment

A man begins to discipline himself by controlling those passions which have hitherto controlled him; he resists temptation and guards himself against all those tendencies to selfish gratifications which are so easy and natural, and which have formerly dominated him. He brings his appetite into subjection, and begins to eat as a reasonable and responsible being, practising moderation and thoughtfulness in the selection of his food, with the object of making his body a pure instrument through which he may live and act as becomes a man, and no longer degarding that body by pandering to gustatory pleasure. He puts a check upon his tongue, his temper, and, in fact, his every animal desire and tendency, and this he does by referring all his acts to a fixed centre within himself. It is a process of living from within outward, instead of, as formerly, from without inward. He conceives of an ideal, and, enshrining that ideal in the sacred recesses of his heart, he regulates his conduct in accordance with its exaction and demands.

There is a philosophical hypothesis that at the heart of every atom and every aggregation of atoms in the universe there is a motionless center which is the sustaining source of all the universal activities. Be this as it may, there is certainly in the heart of every man and woman a selfless centre without which the outer man could not be, and the ignoring of which leads to suffering and confusion. This selfless center which takes the form, in the mind, of an ideal of unselfishness and spotless purity, the attainment of which is desirable, is man's eternal refuge from the storms of passion and all the conflicting elements of his lower nature. It is the Rock of Ages, the Christ within, the divine and immortal in all men.

End of part 1. Part 2 coming soon...

**Attn Ezine Editors / Site Owners** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carl Cholette is a young entrepreneur who is specialized for finding and creating business opportunities.Discover, how you can travel the world at wholesale prices while making $2,000 to $10,000 a month with 95% of the work done for you! Click NOW =====> http://www.coastalcenter.ca
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---

Ignite Your Life!

Where have you come from this past year? What have... Read More

Are You an Achiever or are You an EXCUSIOLOGIST?

It would be a fairly safe bet that if you... Read More

What Makes You Special?

Many people are too busy today trying to fit themselves... Read More

Thinking for Success - The Same Method Does Not Work For Everyone

I am always concerned that there are so many books... Read More

Quick Tips On Getting Motivated When You Dont Feel Like It

The secret to getting started on something when you don't... Read More

Violating Boundaries: Assert Yourself and Take Charge

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a... Read More

Move On!

I woke up one morning with a sharp pain in... Read More

Keep Motivated To Succeed Online!

Starting and managing a business takes motivation and talent. It... Read More

Inertia? 5 Tips to Getting Yourself Moving Again!

Inertia. Even the word sounds like a disease. No, it... Read More

Your Dream Can Be Your Future

Here is a basic truth you must accept and believe... Read More

Constructive Tips About Retrenchment

This article provides constructive tips about facing retrenchment and moving... Read More

Motivation From A Great Western - We All Have It Coming

Most self-help gurus warn us against watching too much TV.... Read More

A Quick Observation of the Low Class

We can all learn a valuable lesson about the types... Read More

4 Powerful Ways To Fire Up Your Motivation

It's so difficult to go on when everything seems to... Read More

Forward Motion

The natural cycle of life is to grow and move... Read More

Getting Out of the Zone!

We've probably all heard the famous movie quip, "why don't... Read More

Living Outside the Lines of Normal and Reasonable

Elizabeth Tull is a Professional Excellence Coach who lives with... Read More

Becoming Rich in Your Own Way

If you really want to become rich, then begin by... Read More

Procrastination Strategies: Boost Your Productivity by Getting On With It

We all suffer from procrastination from time to time but... Read More

What Are You Waiting For?

It's the new millenium. Are you ready to finally realize... Read More

Top 4 Reasons Women Ride The ?Emotional Roller-Coaster?

1. Women have learned and are in the habit of... Read More

Creating Your Best Year Ever

January is synonymous with resolutions and getting organized is high... Read More

What Google Can Teach You About Success

I just finished dinner and the segment was about to... Read More

How to Exude More Confidence

Confidence: The word conjures up images of self-assurance and... Read More

Choosing Your Vision

There is a new television show, called Blind Justice that... Read More

Make Fear a Nine Day Wonder - Motivate Yourself with Fun!

Have you heard something referred to as a "nine day... Read More

Facing Our Fears

'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in... Read More

Your Most Important Opportunity says a top UK Personal Development Coach

For some people this article will turn out to be... Read More

Entrepreneurs: Take Action Over Inspiration Every Time!

"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration... Read More

A Reality Practice

Suggested practice to gain freedom from self-limitation.It is suggested that... Read More

Motivation, Your Core Resource

Your motivation is one of the core resources you have... Read More

Glass Half Full

YES MY GLASS IS ALWAYS HALF FULL AND YOURS CAN... Read More

Personal Safety: How To Avoid Accidents And Live A Safe, Longer & Happy Life

Have you ever had an accident?Do you value your personal... Read More