I don’t think many people think about building self-discipline with meditation when they first start.
Most people start meditating to manage stress, reduce anxiety and to be happier.
And there are plenty of studies documenting a multitude of other benefits a meditation practice can deliver which can have a positive impact on your mental, physical, and emotional health.
When I first started meditating self-discipline was definitely not something I was thinking about getting out of my meditation practice.
But it’s ended up being one of the best and most surprising benefits.
Because most of my life self-discipline wasn’t something I had.
I could never have one cookie out of the packet.
I had to eat the whole packet.
I couldn’t have one beer.
I had to have 5 or 6. Sometimes more…
I wanted to go to the gym every day.
But I didn’t.
I had high aspirations of moving up the career ladder fast.
But I never got where I was capable of getting because I wasn’t consistent or focused with my work.
I wanted to better myself.
But watching TV, going to the pub or hanging out with my mates was the fun and easy option.
So I did that instead of the things I wanted to do to improve my life.
And the reason I wasn’t improving myself or being more constructive with my precious time is that I lacked self-discipline.
And this was my life to a tee until I turned 28.
Meditation and Self-Discipline
Everyone can ‘Netflix and chill.’
It’s easy to hang out with friends all the time.
Or scroll through your social media feed.
But these ‘easy’ things will not give you deep inner satisfaction.
So how does meditation help with all this?
When you meditate regularly you’re strengthening the skill of self-discipline in several ways.
Firstly, just the simple act of sitting down to practice is going to build self-discipline because you’re putting in time and effort to train your mind.
And secondly, when you sit to meditate and your mind is busy and restless, constantly lost in thought or you’re experiencing strong emotions or replaying painful memories.
You choose to stay still and continue to practice without reacting to whatever sh*tstorms your mind throws at you, no matter how uncomfortable it becomes.
When you cultivate self-discipline like this in your practice, it filters into into all areas of your life – health, fitness, relationships, work.
Which ultimately moves your life in the direction you want to go.
Joe 🙂
Interested in learning how to meditate?