It is this truth that I am interested in.
Applying discipline so that we can find our core, our true heart, to get below the surface and find inspiration and line this up with our ego centred motivation.
This is real human power.
I want to help you find your authenticity.
That seems simple but it is so clouded with conditioning.
Sometimes we live in the ego so long, we don't even know it exists.
Like a diving suit we forgot to take off: it becomes inseparable from us.
Deep within there is another you.
The authentic you who dreams, has a purpose greater than self.
The one you arebefore you begin the struggles.
Who are you when you fall back into the real inspiration of nature? Who are you when you apply the disciplines of real self mastery and step forward authentically, without fear, need, or guilt? This is the you that sustains discipline, not with anguish, but with joy.
The Path.
When I was 5 my father was very strict.
I'd say, "Dad, I'm sick, I want to stay in bed" and he'd force me to get up, and go to school.
I resented it then.
A few years later I was captain of the cricket team.
I had to practice for hours to learn how to be the opening batsman and wicket keeper.
That discipline came in handy.
In my youth, I was a street hood.
I'd have to plan things very carefully, and be stealthful.
That discipline really helped when, in the face of insurmountable odds, I'd escape an attack.
Later, I went to university.
I had no money, and no where to live so, I started a business on the side.
I'd "cut and polish" cars for all the local used car yards.
I needed to work, study and play.
That discipline really helped then too.
Especially when at 19 I was supporting my wife through college too.
My hobby of rowing turned serious when I was selected for the Australian championships.
Sitting in an 8 man boat, every stroke was critical, especially in the big races.
That nasty discipline won me through, and helped me when I lost too.
After some years, I decided I didn't like discipline.
Instead I decided to explore happiness.
After 5 years of that, I wasn't happy.
I was poorer, less healthy, more sensitive and single.
I tried to find a way of life that meant I could live without discipline.
I tried Yoga and Meditation, but those are absolutely built on discipline.
In fact, that's what they teach.
So, I tried Zen, but that's more disciplined than my Dad ever was.
There were a few places where discipline wasn't important.
I liked those places.
One such - discipline free place was in-love.
It seemed that I could throw myself into love boots and all, without any discipline, and that'd be awesome.
Sadly, none of those relationships lasted.
Mainly because my lack of discipline finally ran me down and destroyed self respect.
I went to India to study Yoga.
I lived there in Mysore for 6 months.
Classes were held in the basement of my teachers house.
So, every morning, 6 mornings a week, at 4.
00am I'd get out of bed, struggle down to the class, jump around for an hour or two and then go back to my home.
All the students wanted to know the technology of Yoga but my teacher would say "just do the practice and all is coming" Other students came and went.
Some lasted a few days, some for a few months.
Emotional, physical or mental trauma sent them home.
During this time, both my hamstrings tore off the back of my sitting bones.
My knees broke, inner groin, ankle, shoulder and neck.
Then, I had the flu, pneumonia, parasites, constipation, dysentery and a hundred other things Ican't remember.
That discipline my Dad taught me really, really paid off.
I didn't miss one class in the whole 6 months.
I 'did the practice, and all was coming" really, it was the discipline of commitment that made the experience work.
There was a time when I went through a divorce.
It was hard times for me.
I was really in trauma, but I had the discipline to stay with the process, and survived.
Again, the strong arm of my father taught me well.
However, I can say nothing has made me appreciate that discipline as much as this time now.
Working on my spiritual purpose, for the past 20 years, holding a commitment even when there are easier ways.
My dear old Dad, and his strong discipline, was something I never appreciated fully until now.
Here's one of my favourite poems The core of masculinity does not derive from being male; nor friendliness from those who console: Your old grandmother says "maybe you shouldn't go to school.
You look a little pale" Run when you hear those words: A father's stern slaps are better Your bodily soul wants comforting The Severe father wants spiritual clarity; He scolds but eventually leads you into the open Pray for the tough instructor.
To hear and act and stay within you We have been busy accumulating solace Make us afraid of how we were.
Rumi Discipline: the masculine side: It is important to separate discipline for ego, from the discipline for authenticity.
As soon as we say "I do it to get something" we know we blew it.
That is the ego.
When we say "I do it to give something" then there is a high chance that the ego is recruited, but not in total control.
Can you see the difference? There's allot of confusion that is shared about spirituality and compassion.
Many try to "ease" the suffering and therefore lean heavily onto the feminine nurturing side.
However, this just makes matters worse.
It is the feminine side, or should I say an over exaggeration of it, that causes the imbalances that are what people call suffering.
Sadly, the lack of the masculine side of life leads to disaster.
Then, people go to spirituality and look for cures, which is like throwing petrol on a fire in order to put it out.
The real cure for suffering is to know yourself, which is your ego and which is not.
Then, instead of motivation, you can live in inspiration.
Here, there's no suffering.