Self-mastery entails self-discipline, but neither self-mastery nor self-discipline is a matter of applying superior force. It is not like a parent pushing a child to do her homework long enough that she finally grudgingly does it to avoid being scolded by her parents. Self-discipline can be developed joyfully rather than as a burden we impose on ourselves. It can become something we willingly embrace. This requires training – mind training. We need to recognize that our minds are big enough and can open wide enough to accept reality. We need to talk to our minds. The aim is for us to choose, wholeheartedly, to do what we know is the best thing to do.
17th Karmapa
from the book
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Further quotes from the book Interconnected :
- You exist in connection with others
- Extend yourself and connect
- Remaining indifferent to the suffering of animals
- The opportunity to love
- Our life is like a vast net
- Time to act
- The air we breathe
- Extending gratitude in all directions
- An important source of closeness and love
- The imagination to see the other as free and happy
- Self-reliance
- Knowing more is not a substitute for feeling more
- The interdependence between us and the world
- Acting against self-serving impulses
- Noticing the collective effects of our individual actions
- Webs of interdependence
- Interdependence at work
- Our closest and most reliable allies
- Touching the core of our equality
- His Loneliness