Life is all lessons…ignorance is not a destiny…
While many perceive this aspect about oneself unimportant, a lot have suffered due to their lack of understanding about the inner workings of their true self. We are the definitions of our past and everything that we perceived are but its repetition. Stubbornly, we refuse to give up our old ways, even if it warrants our own misfortunes. How foolish humans are, hopelessly beckoned into destruction like a firefly being seduced by the burning light of fire.
Unfortunately, our present time is not conducive to self discovery. There are lots of ingenious options invented by man which aids him in furthering his denial (or escape) from confrontation with reality. Such misguided attempts have only compounded his confusion and armed him with nothing—should the inevitable battle within himself ensues.
Everyday of our lives we are continuously confronted with questions and conflicts that, more often than not, challenge our inner foundations. Accordingly, we respond; however majority of our responses are arbitrary and inappropriate with the situation. Such errors had consequential effects as we go on with this practice. When it reaches its boiling point, it shall make itself manifest in our minds and in our bodies: hence anxiety, fear, depression, sickness and insanity.
In an effort to find answers, man has traversed the many avenues of exploration. Some opt for religion or affiliations, others seek help in psychotherapy, still others go on reflective hiatus, and some prefer the carelessness of frenetic adventures. While the methods may be of help, the most important part of the solutions is ones’ own self. Without his full and unrestricted surrender, answers will always be impossible.
The ignorant laughs at the idea of personal growth, yet they are the first ones to shatter on the face of adversity. They have no idea of what’s happening as they are continuously beleaguered by sudden misfortunes. They curse, they hate, they complain, they make others miserable; they question God, they question life, they question the system BUT they never ever question themselves! Foolish! Man is indeed a fool.
There are no absolutes in this life. Thus, it is imperative that man should evolve if he has to gain an understanding about himself. But this comes with a price, a price that most are not willing to pay. Ironically, we prefer to suffer the pain of the greater evil than to gamble on the wisdom of the lesser evil.
Dear readers, it is better to face the challenges of self mastery knowing you’ll benefit in the end than to be a slave of ignorance which has corrupted your perception of yourself. Certain virtues must be painstakingly embraced in order to get you through with the necessity of growth—which is the only way to make sense of life.
Discipline
It takes effort to enforce this virtue upon our nature, for man are creatures of habit— any deviation thereof is immediately resisted. Discipline is the will to restrict specific urges in order to give way to undesired yet necessary experience. In order to effect change, discipline must be mastered; otherwise all our effort will go in vain. Success requires the discipline of failure; happiness requires the discipline of sadness; inner growth requires the discipline of surrender; wisdom requires the discipline of ignorance; love requires the discipline of sacrifice. By giving-up a part of ones’ self, discipline gains character.
Balance
This is the ability to allow one’s vulnerability to validate issues affecting the well-being of all concerned. Indeed a noble virtue for a person to posses; however, few are willing to allow its call. Humans are selfish and our egos have blighted our common sense. We always prefer our own advantage than to take heed of reason; in doing so we have stifled our horizons, the effects being our inability to elevate to the higher planes of consciousness.
Patience
Our fast-phased present has displaced this powerful virtue. Everywhere, the norm has been to do things with utmost urgency, and technology has fortified this necessity. Most are always on the run in achieving their wants; their mind-sets are fixed for speed and anything that takes time is considered outdated. Self-mastery, as well as success in life, requires the element of time; habits needs time to break, discipline requires time to master, lessons need time to be understood, wisdom needs time to manifest.
Tolerance
Of course in any challenge, one must arm himself with this virtue. Tolerance is the ability to withhold our ideal responses for a prolonged period of time, for the sake of greater benefits in the end. Mastering oneself is not a joy ride, the explorations of our inner self beckons the imperative of allowing our weaknesses and tolerate the pain of such experience.
As we fill our time in this life, are we really aware of our self? Mine has been a slow awakening. I eventually did realize that I was living a blind existence; blind in a sense that I abide by my automatic responses rather than contemplative reasoning or common sense.
We are all passers by in this existence and I believe that it is our duty to emanate from our common lot. Long before, it is believed that we are divine beings, entrusted to dominate among all creations. But as history has recorded, we are following an evolutionary pattern common to all social creatures. In the nineteenth century, as science gained acceptance, it was proved that the behavior of man is predictable. We react accordingly to certain situations, like any other creatures related to our genetic makeup.
Awareness is a choice; we need to trust that little voice inside of us shouting for liberation. Compliance with the status quo is not the path for enlightenment; we must examine ourselves outside our experiences and instincts. Observing the self and manipulating our responses is a characteristic of self mastery, it goes deeper than our gullible minds, right into our higher consciousness, which will be the only one to remain when our organic form returns to the earth.
Did you ever felt that somehow you were powerful, yet unable to identify the source of that feeling?
Have you come upon a certain point that you have felt the manifestation of the divine within you?
Look deeply within yourself, for the answers of life lies on your very core.
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
–Lao-tzu Quotes
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DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. GROW IN SPIRIT:
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P.S.
Our lifetime is not enough to know all the experiences of life. Therefore, we need to have other sources in maximizing our understanding of the many facets of our existence. In this regard I am bound to share with you the most powerful materials that have shaken my foundation and have changed my life as well as the lives of many.
Life is full of questions but I have found answers in perusing the books: The Road Less Traveled, Man’s Search for Meaning and The Power of Now, these has given me light on the deepest nature of man. Still, in searching for ways of enhancing my life I have found: Think and Grow Rich, The Magic of Thinking Big and Thick Face Black Heart. In matters of understanding my mind I was greatly enlightened by the suspense filled novel’s Way of the Peaceful Warrior, A Rich Man’s Secret and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. And finally, I have understood the pattern of my finances through reading Secrets of the Millionaire Mind.
Everything we wish in life will come upon us if we first seek the wisdom of knowing.
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What a great article, and so very true, every word. Self mastery is not the easiest path in life. Like you I had no idea I was blind until I realized I was blind. It is not a short road with any quick-fixes and I’ve made many missteps along my path. I learn from those missteps and continue on.
@Cyndi – Hi Cyndi. Glad to see you here. Self mastery needs the requisite of awareness in order to open our eyes.
Hey Walter.
It sure is true that self-mastery is one of those things we tend to think we can avoid, or cover up with mastery of other items that don’t involve our self and routine.
Without that discipline you talk about there, we are not able to maintain anything up to a worthwhile point. That takes an acceptance that we have to work on our own actions in a serious way.
Your points about tolerance are well received, because tolerance represents a strength that can push us very far. Someone who is tolerant, yet not a pushover, is very well-suited for big things.
Working on ourselves requires pushing aside the ego, because the ego would tell us that our selves need no work because they are already as improved as they will be, which is not the case.
Thanks for this.
@Armen – Thanks for sharing my point Armen. I agree with you about the ego thing, in fact, our ego is our biggest hindrance.
Hey Walter,
Always nice to read an article about self-mastery. I wanna add one more important (I think) ingredient to true self-mastery: starting by accepting yourself as you are. I wrote an article recently about that. It’s name is the opposite of yours, but I think we’re basically on the same page.
Eduard
@Eduard – I acknowledge your additional point. It’s very important to accept who we are, so that we may learn what we can become.
Great article on self mastery. Your posts always make me reflect for a few minutes…which is a good thing!
BTW, I’m the “master of my own domain”.
@Gabe – Thanks Gabe, glad to have made you contemplate.
Hi Walter,
Self-mastery is so important and have often wondered why more people do not go down that road. That said, my own journey with self-mastery has taken years. There were times where I longed to be ignorant because the truth of what was ahead just seemed so much. But I stuck with it (for which I am grateful) and it has been a huge blessing.
Your points of discipline, tolerance, patience and balance are so true. May your post encourage more people to discover the wonders that lie within them.
@Nadia – Stagnation is much easier than growth, that’s the reason few take the route of self mastery. Thank you Nadia for always been an encouragement.
Hi Walter!
Excellent article! Mastering one’s self is the gateway to really LIVING life! If we don’t take this path then we find ourselves living a reactive life instead of a proactive life. We’ll wait for opportunities to fall into our laps instead of going out and creating opportunities and we’ll wait for life to bless us instead of seeking to BE a blessing.
Your article is great and really got my thoughts up and running! Thanks!
@Keith – Right you are Keith, proactive life instead of reactive approach in life. Thanks for sharing this wisdom.
When we realize our inner purpose is to awaken to the Truth of we are, or as you say, self-mastery, the characteristics you mention of balance and tolerance and discipline and patience are no longer difficult. It is who we are.
The trick is to realize that there is a higher possibility.
Why do so many of us continue to be driven by the mechanical mind? I don’t know–I don’t know why some of us have this simple insight and look deeply inside.
@Kaushik – I believe about the Truth you speak of here. I believe that we are blind to see our real nature, instead we abide by the laws of our organic existence. Only upon awareness and deep reflection are we able to tackle the infinite being that we are.
Hi Walter,
Excellent post on self-mastery! I would say more than 90% of humanity live as ’sleep-walkers’.
It is unfortunate how so many people live their lives like automatons with inauthentic & conditioned responses to every experience they encounter. I was once like that. It’s like being dragged around by the ebb and flow of life rather than consciously directed and influencing it.
As I always like to say – Awareness is the key. Awareness is the first and biggest step towards self-mastery.
I like the powerful ending to your article by the way.
@Gilbert – I too was a ’sleep-walker’ once in my life. But certain event in my life had opened my eyes, I became aware. There are many things we have to discover about ourselves, and I’m glad of this awakening.
Walter — I had to really think about this post. I agree that self mastery isn’t easy. I liked how you talked about the discipline required to challenge your self and the things we’ve been taught.
I agree self mastery is a choice. We have to choose to stop being blind, once we do so, I think we have to keep going. I hate to use a movie metaphor, but it’s like the Matrix, once you know it’s there, you can’t close your eyes again and pretend it’s not:~)
@Sara – To contemplate upon our self is an important step in scratching the surface of our true self. We are beyond our perception of ourselves, unless we explore, we will never know.
Walter, thank you for a thought-provoking article. This is my first visit to your site after reading your comment over at Engaged Marriage (thanks!). I’ll certainly be back to read more and to try to think at a deeper level.
By the way, when I read the quote from Lao-tzu, I couldn’t help but think just how true that is in our marriages and relationships.
@Dustin – I would say that Lao-tzu’s quote applies to every relationship. There are many things we can discover if we have full understanding of our self.
Welcome to my site Dustin.
this post enlights me on self-mastery and I say it shall be collected in students book!
@Oceanlu – Hello, nice to see you here. I’m glad this serves as an enlightenment for you.
Great insight Walter. Self-mastery is the only mastery. Once you’ve faced and conquered your fears life becomes much easier for it’s only fear that holds you back from full self-expression.
It is a challenge to embrace fear because we are taught from a young age to avoid it: squirm, get out of it’s way, look for something in a bottle to ease the pain or fear.
The foolish aspect of this behavior is that the more you dodge fear the more fears you will experience in the future and the less free you will be.
Ryan ´s last blog ..Ryan Biddulph Quotes: Action
@Ryan – Fear has always been with us ever since our emancipation, it has its’ purpose and limits. People must learn to harness fear and use it to gain self mastery.
Thanks for visiting Ryan.
What a great and thought provoking post. It really is amazing how easily we can get caught up in everyday life and not focus on one of the most important aspects of life and that really is self mastery. To your point, a lot of growth and development is about discipline. I think we need to find those things we can continually rely on everyday that will motivate us to devote the time and attention to our personal development. If we can somehow find a way to refocus and continually turn our attention to our personal growth, we have found one of the most important formulas in life.
@Alternaview – It’s nice to see you here. Self mastery is indeed an important goal for each of us. After all, it is the only thing we can carry when we depart from this world.
Balance and discipline are so essential to growth. And you also brought up a good point about really looking at ourselves honestly. Introspection can do wonders. Thanks for the enlightening article.
askcherlock´s last blog ..MEDICAL MARIJUANA: THE TIME HAS COME TODAY
@Askcherlock – Introspection is lost in our present time. I guess we should revive it for our own good.
Walter:
Nice post. You are right that many of us are very unaware of ourselves. Like all of us, I’m a work in progress. On some fronts, I do repeat some of the same mistakes and behaviors on other fronts, I am better. One thing that I’m getting better about is being aware of my emotions…in other words I can recognize when I’m experiencing anxiety or other behaviors that make us a little crazy.
As far as manifesting the devine within me, yes there have been moments, but I wish I could do this more. Thanks for giving us something to think about (and changing).
Tim´s last blog ..The Magic of Making Mistakes: A Review of The Talent Code
@Tim – Conquering our self takes time and patience. Im glad you have been yourself, that is one important step for self mastery. In due time, when we have truly understand who we are, perhaps we could have a longer glimpse of our true divine self.
Wow… excellent article Walter..
I love to read this kind of articles.. kudos..
S´s last blog ..Movies Based On Robotics And Machines
So true! And you said it so well.
Hey Walter, thanks for comment on my blog
This is a great article that you’ve written, because you’ve divided self-mastery into different aspects of sub-sections that we must all mastery first.
Discipline, Balance, and Patience are all necessary elements for the persistence of happiness.
Thank you for sharing the wise words
Steven
Actually, the most important thing that you must have is to love what you do. Because if you really love what you are doing, you don’t need to train yourself into a lot of studies out there. The knowledge and skills that you need to grow your career will just grow by itself.
Rocky Garcia´s last blog ..Cool FarmVille Prints 
[...] Self mastery: the feared path [...]
what up Walter ! This article’s great! That picture’s on top is awesome and is definitely what caught my attention in the first place. I always find that when I gave up something, my life felt a lot more complete. Thanks for the article !
@Rocky – Glad to see you here Rocky, it’s nice you have appreciated my thoughts.
[...] Self mastery: the feared path [...]
Personal Development is a blessing man. I see the world a lot differently and it made me look within instead of with out. I was struggling to make it in this world because of my defeatist attitude and feelings. God showed me the way by exposing me through personal development. My thoughts are clearer and I understand myself and the world much better.
Omar´s last blog ..REJECTIONS REJECTIONS REJECTIONS
@Omar – I’m glad to hear this from you Omar. Personal development is indeed a blessing, if such an opportunity comes to anybody, he/she should grab it.
It is such a long article but very useful as I know more about self-mastery now. Keep up your good work as I will go back regular to read other article
Tinh´s last blog ..How To Sign Up for JustHost With Just $2.95 Per Month 
@Tinh – Sorry to have it long. I’m having a lot of thoughts when I was writing this. Thank you very much Tinh.
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[...] Self mastery: the feared path [...]
[...] Self mastery: the feared path [...]
[...] Self mastery: the feared path [...]
[...] Self mastery: the feared path [...]
[...] Self mastery: the feared path [...]
[...] Self mastery: the feared path [...]
[...] Self mastery: the feared path [...]