Chapter
Three
Master the Self
Discipline Number Three: The noble warrior gains mastery over the savage self.
The human mind may be compared to a house, in which there are two people living, each of whom represents a part of you. One of those people in that house may be called the lower or animal self, and the other can be called the higher or spiritual self. The lower self is made up of our animal instincts, and also our base desires and will. The higher self is the one that loves everything good and spiritual. While the lower self wants to take what is others, to feed until there is no more food left, to serve only the self, the higher self wants to give to others, to receive only what is necessary for health and happiness, and desires to be of service to the Divine and to humanity. Contrary to what one might suppose, the lower self is not evil or destructive when it serves. Everyone needs to take care for self first, and fulfill basic desires and needs in order to survive. But the lower self becomes destructive when it rules over the higher, spiritual self. If the lower self locks the higher self in the basement, and rules the house, the house will erupt into chaos, and will eventually turn to shambles.
When the lower self rules a person, that person's acts become self-serving
and destructive. The desire for self-satisfaction and pleasure are so
great that the person becomes addicted to anything that will bring a sense
of pleasure or fulfillment. This addiction to pleasure and fulfilment
can manifest itself in many different forms. It can be seen in addiction
to drugs and alcohol, sex and romance, food, work, and so on. It can be
seen in the effort to climb the social ladder, in trying to achieve fame,
in the thirst for financial success, in all sorts of ways. Anywhere the
lower self can receive even the most temporary fulfilment or pleasure
it will cling to it like an alcoholic clings to his bottle. The problem
with having the lower self rule is not only that this type of lifestyle
is hurtful to the self and others, but it is completely unsatisfying.
As the Buddha teaches, the rain could turn to gold and your thirst would
still not be quenched. The desire of the lower self is unquenchable.
To master the self is to subdue the lower self into service, and provide
that the higher, spiritual self may rule. This, in itself, is a spiritual
battle, where each fights for dominion. Conflicting thoughts and desires
clash together. During this battle states of inward anguish and temptation
reign. And this battle doesn't occur all at once, but again and again
as the warrior endeavors to master the self. Through perseverance, Divine
aid, and a lot of blood and guts combat, the lower self can eventually
be brought under submission, and though not completely tamed, it can serve.
The spiritual self can rule, and when it does, one is said to become spiritual
and to have mastered the self.
To master the self, therefore, is to have control. The warrior who masters
self is no longer a slave to base appetites and foolish whims of self-will
run riot, but practices thoughtful self-determination. The master of self
is free from impulse, free from destructive tendencies, free from the
thirst that can never be quenched, free from want. The master of self
experiences love for others, lives in the order of creation, and is fulfilled.
As the Buddha teaches, even as the wind cannot overturn a mountain, so
the person who masters the self cannot be moved by desire or temptation.
The warrior who masters self is free, powerful, thoughtful, loving, and
happy.
To master the self takes discipline. People don't necessarily like the
word "discipline" because it carries with it a sense of limitation
or confinement. To practice discipline of one sort or another seems uninteresting,
and perhaps even undelightful. When one imagines the disciplined warrior
one can conjure up images of a cold, heartless, and remotely controlled
person, out of touch with emotions, other people, and life. But this is
hardly the case with the true disciplined warrior. In fact, it is quite
the opposite. But discipline is necessary. Practice does, indeed, make
perfect. To practice warrior-discipline is to possess the ability to act
in a controlled manner or behavior, rather than impulsively reacting to
external stimulus. It is not the inability to be in touch with one's emotions,
but rather the power to exert control over emotions, wants and desires.
The warrior who practices discipline is not controlled but controls. This
type of discipline allows for greater individual freedom, for the warrior
freely chooses direction, rather than being swayed a certain direction
by emotion and impulse.
Warrior discipline may be defined as controlled behavior as a result of
training. It is self control. It carries with it an ability to respond
to and follow higher commands rather than reacting from lower impulses.
The disciplined warrior follows the rules, but they are self imposed rules
which guide toward a life of integrity, and thus a life of love and service.
This, in effect, brings the warrior joy and a sense of purpose beyond
any short-lived delight from impulsive acts of desire. But this way of
life does not come naturally. It only comes through practice. Through
training and continual self-compulsion to behave in a certain manner,
a manner which is in harmony with the rest of the cosmos, the warrior
is able to gain such control over the self. By practicing non-reaction
the warrior learns not to act impulsively. By practicing patience the
warrior learns to be patient. By practicing forgiveness and letting go
the warrior learns to stay free of hatred and resentment. By practicing
shunning impure thoughts and desires the warrior learns to walk the path
of purity. By practicing self control the warrior gains power over the
self. By practicing integrity the warrior walks in integrity. By practicing
love the warrior becomes loving.
There is no serenity for the undisciplined person, the Bhagavad Gita suggests
to us, because nothing of good comes from such a person, and goodness
and love bring happiness. True freedom is not the ability to do what one
desires. This does not lead to happiness. Rather, true freedom is the
ability to not do what one desires. In this way there is truly a choice.
This is real freedom, which leads to happiness, the freedom of the disciplined
warrior, the one who has mastered the self.
Gems from the Masters
Knowing others is intelligence;
Knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.
Lao Tzu
With single-mindedness
The master quells his thoughts.
He ends their wandering.
Seated in the cave of the heart,
He finds freedom.
Buddha
When one sets aside desires,
All that have entered the mind. . .
And is contented in self and through self,
That person is said to be one of steady wisdom.
The one whose mind stirs not in sorrows,
Who in joys longs not for joys,
The one whose passion, fear and wrath are gone,
That steady-minded one is called a sage.
Bhagavad-Gita 2:55-56
If anyone desires to come after Me,
Let him deny himself,
And take up his cross,
And follow Me.
For whoever desires to save his life
Will lose it,
And whoever desires to lose his life
for My sake
Will find it.
For what is a man profited
If he gains the whole world,
And loses his own soul?
Matthew 16:24
A spiritual warrior
Stalks,
Confronts,
And finally integrates
All the parts of himself
That would separate him
From his wholeness.
Dawn Callan
Have you considered the man
Who has made a god
of his own appetite?
Would you be a guardian
over him?
Do you think most of them can hear
and understand?
They are like cattle;
Indeed, even more misguided.
Koran 25:42, 43
Questions for Personal Reflection and Discussion
What does the concept of mastering yourself mean to you personally?
Where do you find you lack self discipline?
What do you think are the major keys to mastering the self?
Meditation
Imagine you are standing in front of a house. This house is your mind.
What does the house look like on the outside? Is it strong? Beautiful?
Does it need work? Walk to the door and enter that house. Can you see
the interior? The furniture? The decorations on the walls? What are they
like? Imagine that this house is occupied by two different people. Since
this house represents your mind, imagine that the two people who live
there are two parts of yourself. One person is very quiet, considerate,
gentle and loving. The other person is a real animal, rude, selfish, destructive,
craving. Go to the room where the lower, more savage self lives. Is it
in the basement? A bedroom? Upper floor? Attic? Where is the lower self
residing? Find the room and walk there. You will be safe. See a door leading
into this room of the lower self. There is a sign on the door. Can you
see it? What does the sign say? Open the door and look in. Can you see
your lower self residing in that room? What does that self look like?
How old is this lower self? What is this lower self doing right now as
you stand and observe? Now, look around the room. What is in this room?
What occupies the space here? What treasures does this lower self hide
here? What games occupy this self's time here? What is hanging on the
walls? Is there some conclusion you can draw from what you see? Now look
at the lower self, and that self now looks at you. Does this self have
something to say to you? If so, what? Do you have something to say to
it? Say it now... Turn and exit the room, and close the door. Take a deep
breath. Now concentrate on the entire house again. Remember that there
is another in this house--the higher, more noble self. Sense where this
self is dwelling in the house. Can you picture where that may be? Go to
that room now. When you come to that room, see the door. There is a sign
on the door. Can you see it? What does the sign say? Open that door and
look in. Can you see your higher self in that room? What does this self
look like? How old is this higher self? What is the higher self doing
right now as you observe? Now, look around the room. What does this room
look like? What occupies this space here? What are the treasures that
are kept here? What hobbies or crafts occupies the higher self here in
this room? How is this room decorated? Is there some conclusion you can
draw from what you see? Now look at the higher self, and that self now
looks at you. Does this self have something to say to you? If so, what?
Do you have something to say to your higher self? Say it now... Now, turn
and exit the room and close the door. Walk to the front door and exit
the house. Step away from the house and look back. This is your house.
This is you. Do you have a wish for this house? A blessing? Say it now.
And when you are ready, take a deep breath, open your eyes. The meditation
is over. What was that like for you? What did you see and hear? What have
you learned?
Process
As an individual, you will set up an empty chair in front of you to do
this exercise. In a group, you will select a person from the group to
represent the other "you" that you will be talking to. In this
process, you will have an opportunity to talk to yourself, both selves.
You will talk from the higher more noble self to the lower, more animalistic
self, and vice versa. Each person takes a turn with this. Select a person
from the group that you feel comfortable representing yourself. Sit back
to back in the middle of the room, with the group seated around you as
observers. They can keep you focussed on the task. Make sure you and your
partner's backs are touching, by either sitting on the floor, or arranging
the chairs in such a way that you actually feel contact with the person
behind you. At first, you will be the higher self talking to the lower
self at your back. Tell that person (your lower self being represented
by the person back to back with you) the facts about his/her behavior
which concerns you. Just talk the facts. (Eg. "You're always late.
You eat too much. You take revenge." etc..) After you have explained
all the facts, tell the person how this makes you feel. (Eg. "I feel
embarrassed when you're late. I feel sick and ashamed when you eat too
much. I feel fear when you take revenge." etc..) After expressing
your feelings, express your judgments about that person. (Eg. "My
judgment is that you are lazy. My judgment is that you are never satisfied.
My judgment is that you are vindictive and self-serving." etc..)
Finally, tell the person what you want them to do. (Eg. "I want you
to take responsibility. I want you to control your appetite. I want you
to be forgiving." etc..) The person playing the lower self simply
listens. Occasionally the person playing the lower self can say, "Tell
me more." But the person should not enter into a dialogue with the
one doing the exercise. After this process is completed, switch seats
with your partner. Now, speaking from your lower self, respond to the
higher self. In this case, let the lower self say whatever it wants to
the higher self. Here is where you may learn something new about yourself
when you let the response simply flow. When you feel completed, switch
seats one more time. The higher self gets the last word in response. Sometimes
this will be a simple, "I understand." Sometimes it might be
a pledge, "You will not rule me!" Let your higher self speak
spontaneously. When finished, another volunteer takes the center of the
circle, chooses a partner, and begins the process. (If in a large group,
you can spread out and have several teams do the process at the same time.
Make sure each team has at least one observer to keep the person on track.)
Note: The purpose of this exercise is to become aware of the different
and conflicting set of wants, needs, expectations, and outlooks each individual
carries within the self. Participants may feel a certain resolution after
completing this process, but one shouldn't expect that this process will
lead to an instant integration of the higher and lower selves. It is an
exercise in learning more about yourself. People often make important
discoveries about themselves while working this process. Talk over what
you have learned with the group. Share insights.
What are your closing thoughts about Self-Mastery
End this lesson with a prayer.