I asked the same question: How to be disciplined. Here is what I found out.
Honestly I just need advice. My question is: How do you become extremely disciplined?
I read an article that I thought I saved about the difference between being disciplined and being motivated. It talked about motivation is what you need before discipline.
Why do you want to meditate?
I meditated Zen for about three years or so. I chanted Daimoku for about the same amount of time. I did it by discipline rather than motivation. Then I
reflected to understand what I "want" to do compared to what I am forcing myself to do because it feels good. I love art. Writing, sketching, painting, etc are my meditation. It's, how I say, my art is another person's coffee.
That's my motivation. Then when I do it,
and like what I do it becomes a habit. I carry my art wherever I go and even if I draw a line and close the book I'm developing a habit.
However, the key is, this is something I
want to do. Something that is a passion. If it isn't a passion of some sort regardless of how you define it. If you don't care about it to a spiritual extent, then you may be disciplined and meditate day and night but how would that benefit you mentally (in my opinion).
There is a book called Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. Natalie practices Zen and has practiced for about twelve or some odd years. She tells her Zen teacher why can't she concentrate while she meditates. Natalie's passion is to write; but, all the while, she is trying to meditate because "that's what Buddhists are supposed to do", she thought. Her Zen master says, "No. If you have to push yourself to meditate, then that's not meditation." He said, instead, write as a meditative practice. It calms the mind and does the
same thing as when breathing in and out.
You get into that same "Zen-mindset" but by doing something by habit you are passionate about. It becomes second nature.
What is your passion?
What do you like to do?
What do you
do on a regular basis that keeps you going (excluding things you need to do).
If you have a good motivator and passion, you may find it easier to start your habit. When you find more motivators as your habit benefits you, you develop discipline. Don't analyse it, and you are on your way to answering your own question: by
action.
How do you forgive yourself?
Depends on what your passion is. For example, with art, I try to find ways to forgive myself by "drawing my feeling" or coloring my feelings. Other times I make it pitch dark in my bedroom, pull out my drawing pad, and just write and draw in the moment without trying to figure what I'm drawing. Gives you freedom. Then you can reflect and say "this is what I need to work on..."
go back to your passion...your habit....your discipline, and find love for yourself through that. In my opinion, that's an excellent way of forgiving yourself.
What works for you?
How do you access/release rage?
Same as above. I like the "pitch dark" method since I can't censor my thoughts. Long as I have a good working pencil and it's not easy to break. A large pad, and plenty of paper.
I want to become disciplined for my power meditations. Thats literally all. But anyone who gives advice thats works or something I will protect you forever. I will literally always be there for you and protect you spiritually. Even if you don't care and are an Atheist, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Taoist, etc I will make sure you're okay and be there for you. Thank you
Reflect while you're on the bus, at work, watching the kids, watching a movie, whatever. What are your passions? What do you do on a daily basis that's not a necessity? Start little at a time. Work from there.
Starts with you. This is just how I see it.
It's not easy.
Here's a good site:
stickK. Helps you develop a habit.
Word of warning. Do it for free. If you use your credit card, if you don't report your progress and success, they charge you the amount you ask them to charge. It's a good way to keep you motivated-so they won't take your money. On the other hand, when I did it, it took awhile to contact them to cancel that "habit" so I can keep my money for more important things.
Free is good as long as you remember you made a contract.
