Self-discipline

"To see and to think clearly, one’s mind must be unfettered. When the mind is unfettered, it has a greater capacity. It has greater powers of attention, and it is able to exert its will more effectively, which brings about greater self-discipline and the ability to exercise restraint appropriately."

Self-discipline in walking The Way of Knowledge

The Way of Knowledge "requires self-discipline, and self-discipline is something that must be cultivated. Along with self-discipline there is restraint. People have a very odd perspective about restraint. They think it is related to self-denial, but this only represents their point of view. Restraint, in fact, is very important, and if you are to focus your life on anything, then you must curtail your other activities and bring them into your central focus, whatever it may be at that time. You do not have time or energy to waste now because your time and energy are being directed towards something.

The development of self-discipline and the ability to exercise restraint wisely represent growing achievements in The Way of Knowledge. Instead of being driven by passions and desires, compulsions and needs, you begin to function outside of them more and more as you enter into the depth of your own reality. This represents freedom, power and self-determination."

"What Knowledge will require of you is tremendous self-focus and discipline. It requires that you override the tendencies that weaken you and engage you inappropriately with people and activities. It is this power that breaks your addictions. It is this power that prevents you from giving your life away to meaningless pursuits and to damaging relationships.

This will require a greater self-discipline from you than you have ever exercised before. It will require restraint on your part. It will require self-examination. It will require that you organize your affairs appropriately and correctly. Most people’s lives at this point, whether they be rich or poor, are far too out of control for them to be able to experience and to follow Knowledge effectively.

"Many people start out with great expectations and high hopes only to find that the journey is more demanding than they expected, and they really do not have the self-discipline to stay with it for more than a few days. But if they are true in their intentions, they will come back and try again and take themselves further this time. And over time they will be able to go beyond their former limits."

Self-discipline in response to calling

"The Angelic Presence watches you to see if you can do this, if you can receive initiation and go through the long and inexplicable process that this will require. You cannot control this process, you can only keep yourself focused upon it, and that will require all the self-discipline and compassion towards yourself that you can muster."

See also

Quotes About Prayer