Discipline as a Source of Happiness

"From a Buddhist point of view, discipline doesn't have to be a negative thing; it can be a direct source of happiness. When we apply discipline to our meditation practice, we are often left with a positive feeling. For early-rising meditators, there is the discipline that gets us out of bed in the morning. There is also a discipline that pushes us out of our habitual routine and makes time to get our butt on the cushion. Then we apply discipline in maintaining our posture, and continuously coming back to our breath for however long we practice. At the end of our meditation, we feel delighted because this form of discipline is something we cultivated ourselves, and most importantly, because it is rooted in virtue.

"The discipline that is intimately connected with virtue is the type of discipline the snow lion applies to her life. One way to tell if discipline is connected to virtue is to consider whether this discipline bears a feeling of gentleness. If it feels like you are being hard on yourself, this is likely a form of discipline that is rooted in aggression. Such neurotic strictness is based in your confusion. Instead, the snow lion bases her discipline in trust in her basic goodness.

"The interesting thing about living in our modem world is that there are constant opportunities to test whether we are applying discipline in a gentle way or if we are closing off our heart and being aggressive. When you are faced with lust, anger, or prejudice, you can use these situations as opportunities for training in the discipline of virtue.

"Virtue is not necessarily taking a moralistic point of view. Developing a set of highbrow standards is antithetical to the path of dharma. Holding tight to a set of opinions solidifies a sense of 'me.' It is not compassionate activity to wield a set of standards as a weapon against others. If you do this, you end up thinking less of people because you have developed a set of morals that others do not adhere to. This subjective idea of virtue is a quick way to build up your ego and cut yourself off from connecting with the people around you.

"Instead, virtue in the Buddhist sense is the meditative warrior's skill in touching their own heart. Once you have learned about discernment, you can apply that tool to figure out on a case-by-case basis what you want to open yourself up to, versus what you know you need to move away from. Having explored what to accept and what to reject in your daily life, the path of the snow lion is to apply the discipline to follow through on those intentions. For example, it is easy to decide that your boyfriend is toxic to be around, but it's hard to actually end the relationship. Even if it is a great kindness to yourself and to your partner, it takes discipline to follow through and enter into the painful discussion that a breakup entails.

Practices for Applying Virtuous Discipline

"Continuously applying virtuous discipline is by no means an easy task. At times we all find ourselves surrounded by people who continue to put their own desires first, not necessarily caring who gets hurt so long as they get what they want.

"The fourteenth-century meditation master Ngulchu Thogme knew this fact well, and he offered thirty-seven practices for a bodhisattva, or openhearted warrior, to engage in so they can live in an openhearted manner. Many of these practices revolve around applying virtue to even the toughest of situations. For example:

"If someone cuts off your head
"Even when you have not done the slightest thing wrong,
"Through the power of compassion
"To take his misdeeds upon yourself
"Is the practice of a bodhisattva."