Self-Discipline
-
I wonder if anyone else would find a discussion of methods for achieving a level of self-discipline useful. I know I would. I was thinking of sharing my difficulties, and asking for advice and tips. And invite others to do the same, if they wish, without feeling like they're hijacking a thread.
I've been working on the "know thyself" aspect for a while now, and I feel like I'm getting a good handle on my strengths and weaknesses (and in my case, it feels like strengths and weaknesses are often the same thing). I'm capable of intense will-power and discipline over short to medium lengths of time. For example, last fall I did Resh and Mass of the Phoenix without fail every day for over a month, keeping a journal the whole time. But then I lost steam, and haven't done any magickal practice (including a magickal journal) in over a month.
It would seem to me that embracing that pattern would just be fostering an imbalance. So how does one change from a hare into a tortoise?
-
- Buy a calendar and use it.
- If you want to accomplish something, break it down into pieces and solve each thing one after the other.
- Make plans. Say for instance: by next week this will be done.
- Say will.
- Stop doing certain things (smoking for instance).
- Keep a steady timetable for going to bed and going out of bed. Rise from bed promptly and without snoozing.
- Think about what you eat and when you eat.
- Put your sexlife under control. Use the sexmagical formulas related to Yesod/Gamaliel.
- Kundalini.
- Karma-yoga.
-
@AvshalomBinyamin said
"It would seem to me that embracing that pattern would just be fostering an imbalance. So how does one change from a hare into a tortoise?"
We do many things for the sake of training. Understand it as a training exercise, to be persisted in for a certain (predefined?) long stretch, and then later incorporate what works into your life.
The whole initiation system is based on selective imbalance. One passes through the four Elements one at a time, spending months or years in a phase where the implicit assumption is that there is only one Element of any importance. We do this to saturate ourselves in it, bring it out purely, so that its imbalances can be detected (by the ordeals they bring us), it can be purified and strengthened - and then we move on. A later stage (Portal in the classic system, Dominus Liminis in A.'.A.'.) brings all the pieces back together to effect balance among the strong, purified, and now consecrated components.
Think of it like rebuilding an engine. You have to take it apart and work on each piece one at a time - cleaning it, repairing it, replacing it if necessary, and getting it in the best shape - and then put the whole thing back together. (And then tune it!)
You don't get to have balance every step along the way. You get to have it as an end product, as a new starting point.
-
This is immensely helpful.
-
@AvshalomBinyamin said
"I wonder if anyone else would find a discussion of methods for achieving a level of self-discipline useful. I know I would. I was thinking of sharing my difficulties, and asking for advice and tips. And invite others to do the same, if they wish, without feeling like they're hijacking a thread.
I've been working on the "know thyself" aspect for a while now, and I feel like I'm getting a good handle on my strengths and weaknesses (and in my case, it feels like strengths and weaknesses are often the same thing). I'm capable of intense will-power and discipline over short to medium lengths of time. For example, last fall I did Resh and Mass of the Phoenix without fail every day for over a month, keeping a journal the whole time. But then I lost steam, and haven't done any magical practice (including a magical journal) in over a month.
It would seem to me that embracing that pattern would just be fostering an imbalance. So how does one change from a hare into a tortoise?"
This may seem silly or over-simplified, but when this happens to me, I always ask, "why?' (I do this in journal form, which is stronger and more permanent than not writing things down). Why did you cease? If you can find those answers, that might lead you to something. Recently, for example, I put off doing some chores, for several weeks, around the house that I told my self I had wanted to do. I wrote down the causes of this, and it turns out, I wanted to do other things, like sunbathe and study my horoscope. I realised that I let outside influences pressure me when it's not my True Will. I think I am supposed to have a clean, orderly house. Also, I want it because it''s nicer than a mess. However, I need to listen to other needs and desires, like, I need a rest and time to rejuvinate. Additionally, this process revealed to me that I have unrealistic expectations regarding my schedule, my house, my energy and the amount of recuperation and rejuvenation I need. From this experience, I have decided to prioritise some of my "work" time towards chores, and not set them up for the weekends.
Does that make sense? I have tried many times the whole, "I'm gonna get motivated and do everything perfect and on schedule" thing. I've found it to be micro-managing and always a failure in the long run, because it doesn't listen to, or ask that most important question, "what is my True Will?"
-
These are good questions, and I think Jim hit the nail on the head.
I've been operating under some mistaken ideas. I've been imagining that the solution to everything (attainment, spiritual yearning, etc) is to be found in a set of "right" behaviors (Virgo Sun/Moon). That I'll stumble upon a combination of practices or actions, and muster up enough will-power to stick to them, and that everything will be roses.
Partway through, since I have a huge, nebulous goal and no way to measure success, I run out of steam, naturally.
When really, I should be seeing them for what they should be: training exercises and learning experiences. To continue Jim's automotive example, the weird thing is that even while you're tinkering with parts of the car, you're always driving it. And there's no one right way of turning the steering wheel, or stepping on the pedals. It depends on the road.
I wonder if it could work as a metaphor for the left and right hand paths.... right hand path could be finding the zen of driving, and left hand path could be to spend more time in the shop. And the middle pillar is doing both...
Meh, there is no grace, there is no guilt...
Oh. My. God.
I was just about to hit "submit" on this comment. My work email client gave me a new mail alert. I go to check the email, and it's from my boss. The subject is: "Can you change a tire while driving?" Attached is a video clip of stunt drivers (he sometimes sends me little interesting youtube links), and one of the guys ends up driving the car on two wheels, and changing the tire while driving....
Too funny.
-
Also, AvshalomBinyamin, for I think you do at least also deserve some reward, I want to say that the truly undisciplined would never ask your question. It takes a great deal of courage and self-discipline just to get started sometimes on these paths. Jim's words and your experience you shared have been very excellent on your points. Good job. And Atlantis makes great recommendations - but I'd also recommend that you might want the desire to avoid making any effort to attain to "soul-less habit or routine" with any thing. Motivation is one thing, the will to continue even against yourself after is where the true discovery of power lies.
-
93
Aum Aum Aum, My Will is pure, strong and irresistible Aum Aum Aum
Aum Aum Aum, I can do anything through Will alone Aum Aum Aum
Aum Aum Aum, My Will is invincible Aum Aum Aum -
@atlantis said
"* Put your sexlife under control. Use the sexmagical formulas related to Yesod/Gamaliel."
Can you (or anyone else, for that matter) enlighten me as to what you mean by this, and where I might be able to learn about these formulas? I am struggling with this specific thing myself.
-
I find it challenging to masturbate as long as possible without reaching fulfillment.
-
@JPF said
"I find it challenging to masturbate as long as possible without reaching fulfillment."
seriously?
-
It's easier than doing it longer than possible.
-
@AvshalomBinyamin said
"It's easier than doing it longer than possible. "
No. Okay. Honestly. This is the point where I admit that I like this forum better than Lastal. This place allows the NooB questions... but seriously, is it that hard to control? Am I that unique? I don't wish to believe this. Can't you just instead imagine the Buddhist relationship to baseball when you start to reach that home run moment?
-
"Fear not when I fall in the fury of the storm; for mine acorns are blown afar by the wind; and verily I shall rise again, and my children about me..."
-
@Takamba said
"seriously?"
Quite.
Sexuality is closely linked to consciousness; the two go hand in hand.
"It's easier than doing it longer than possible."
That's more advanced.
"Can't you just instead imagine the Buddhist relationship to baseball when you start to reach that home run moment?"
I tend towards goats and my great-grandmother personally--but in my first post I refer to a spiritual practice, distinct from mundane coitus. Sexual energy is a potent meditative tool, when mastered. It has to do with awakening latent energy. I'll leave it at that...
""Fear not when I fall in the fury of the storm; for mine acorns are blown afar by the wind; and verily I shall rise again, and my children about me...""
I've never seen a quote used more pertinently.
-
It's much easier than being in the selection role, batting off unworthy suitors hoping for a good source of DNA to arrive... something that's become especially poignant for me, seeing as my wife didn't meet me until she was 38...
-
93s,
I am currently reading and working through the program in this book. Its a deceptivley simple read but its working for me.
93 93/93
Reef -
sweet, thanks! I started on it today.
-
@JPF said
"
@Takamba said
"seriously?"Quite.
Sexuality is closely linked to consciousness; the two go hand in hand.
"
So on this topic what is the general view towards masturbation and intention? I've read a lot of books talking about using it to charge sigils and whatnot. I have not read much on this forum relating to this however.
And similarly, including sex with a partner - is it best to keep any thoughts of magic, spirituality, etc. separate from one's private routine? Could you be meddling with a hornet's nest? Or is it actually better to routinely focus on such lofty thoughts versus what the average person might normally do (ie during orgasm you don't want to think about negative things so as to manifest them unconsciously)
-
@Escarabaj said
"
@JPF said
"
@Takamba said
"seriously?"Quite.
Sexuality is closely linked to consciousness; the two go hand in hand.
"
So on this topic what is the general view towards masturbation and intention? I've read a lot of books talking about using it to charge sigils and whatnot. I have not read much on this forum relating to this however.
And similarly, including sex with a partner - is it best to keep any thoughts of magic, spirituality, etc. separate from one's private routine? Could you be meddling with a hornet's nest? Or is it actually better to routinely focus on such lofty thoughts versus what the average person might normally do (ie during orgasm you don't want to think about negative things so as to manifest them unconsciously)"
My god man! What negative thoughts could you have during an orgasm????
To quote Crowley, "every offering of this talisman infallibly begets children on one plane or another of this our cosmos, whose matter is so varied in kind. Such a child must partake of its father's nature; and its character will be determined, partly by the environment in which it is bred to manifestation, lives, and ultimately changes in what we call death, and partly by the inmost will of the father, perhaps modified to some extent by his conscious will at the time of his slipping the leash."
So, since we also know that all acts of ecstasy are to be considered acts of worship toward the goddess Nuit, I suppose this should answer your questions.