I understand how discipline can be useful for some people who have previously lived a life within intention or boundaries; a more warrior like path can be enthusing, focusing and enlivening in this case. But also the idea of needing discipline does suggest that something is still unconscious. One part of the self is pushing around the other part or telling another part what to do. One or both parts may be in some way unconscious.
I’ve also heard people try to put a more positive spin on the idea of discipline by saying that discipline is being a ‘disciple to oneself’; but this still implies there are two parts of oneself pulling in opposite directions. Instead of trying to force yourself to do something sometimes its useful to investigate what’s behind the part that is ‘lazy,’ the part that resists doing the thing that you are supposed to be doing. What somatic organization, feelings, emotions, inner images, movements, energy or dreaming medicine is present within the part that resists?
Perhaps there is a sensible and careful caution present, or perhaps there is a signal that this thing you are forcing yourself to do is something that is not aligned with your deepest being. Perhaps you may find the one who opposes discipline is a tyrant, or a microcosmic version of an outer oppressor, and you need to resist the work that the inner or outer tyrant has set you to do as a form of social activism.
Perhaps you will find the power of slowing down so you feel safe to take risks. Perhaps you need to drop the Roman legionary and take a more relaxed, non doing, playful, loving, easeful or lazy approach and you will find that the task will ‘do itself.’ Perhaps you will find an orgasmic or joyful intent. Perhaps you will find the power of a larger force of nature that moves and acts through you. Perhaps you need to soar above your life like an eagle and take in the whole landscape of your life.
Or perhaps you will find a well honed intent, a fierce warrior-like sense of boundaries or an immensely strong inner drive. Perhaps you will find a furious and decisive focus or a faithful determination. Can you dance between the two forces, the one who pushes and the one who is pushed, and find the underlying unifying energy field or mode of embodiment that is created between these two polarities? Can you find your one intention, your undeviating arrow’s flight, your eagle’s eyes, your ecological individuation, your path on this earth, the unified field matrix which dreams together these two divided parts of yourself?
jason hine 