Discipline as a way to challenge negative habits and raise our view

In recent years, Bhutan has seen a rise in the number of suicide and depression cases. It is a troubling development for a small close-knit country. What could be the reason for such an outbreak? Instead of attempting to identify causes, it may be more helpful to explore methods that may aid in the prevention of these cases. One such method is to gently introduce discipline into our daily routine.

‘Discipline’ is not a word that is usually greeted with much excitement. It reminds us of finger-wagging teachers who tell us that what we are doing is all wrong. Yet, discipline – when combined with the right motivation – can offer us a healthy future and dispel our feelings of sadness and gloom.

Actually, we all have a certain degree of discipline. Without it, we wouldn’t even be able to make a good cup of coffee. Usually, however, our level of self-control is just too low. An unswept floor, a list of unanswered e-mails or a pile of unwashed dishes, for example, are symptoms of insufficient discipline. These kinds of incomplete chores linger in our minds like shadows that add gloom and despondency to our lives.

Giving in to impulses and peer pressure are other signs of lack of discipline. A typical example is the guy who decides to quit alcohol, but breaks his resolve after only a few days. He is disappointed in himself and feels depressed.

Lack of discipline is actually a sign of a deeper underlying cause – an uninspired view of our world. We pass our days hanging out in dark and dingy bars, reading about other people’s lives on Facebook and watching mind-numbing TV shows. We rarely look up and admire the blue sky or do anything inspiring and creative. This drab and featureless world that we create acts like a mirror on our minds and so further perpetuates our sense of melancholy and gloom. A strange fact about humans is that we often believe that just doing as we please will bring us happiness. In reality, it is generally the opposite that is true. People who wake up whenever they please and act sloppily usually do so because they have no motivation and possess low self-esteem. Without a positive, meaningful purpose in our life, we often lose our way and resort to taking drugs or alcohol. We think that nothing else will make us happy. This might be the reason why so many of the famous and super-rich commit suicide or become alcoholics and drug addicts. They have enough money and so don’t require the discipline of a work schedule. They just do as they please, but instead of making them happy, this life-style causes them to feel depressed and suicidal.

It is difficult to break old habits, but a little dose of discipline can help us elevate our outlook by inspiring us. Of course, it is not possible to jump from years of leading an uninspired and undisciplined life to suddenly becoming a sharp-minded spiritual warrior. But slowly, we can make meaningful changes in our schedules.

At first it could be something as simple as placing the cap back on the toothpaste tube each time we use it or making sure that we close the door properly whenever we enter or leave a room. Slowly, we can increase the complexity of the activity. We can go for a walk every morning, meditate for ten minutes after we wake up or perhaps do twenty-one prostrations before breakfast. We can also join a gym and workout every second day or, if we are a social drinker, vow not to drink on certain days of the week or limit the amount we consume on each occasion. Ensuring that we are on time for appointments and meetings is also an effective way to develop discipline – as well as helping to generate a sense of  respect and concern for others.

Even though these activities may seem small, they all require a disciplined mind to undertake on a regular basis. As a result, they give us a sense of achievement and elevate our view of the world. If we want to transform these activities into a spiritual training, we can undertake them with a view to benefit others. To remind ourselves of this, we can chant the following vow before we begin our activity:

May all the benefits from this act help sentient beings attain complete enlightenment.

Later, when we conclude the activity, we can seal it with the following dedication:

I totally dedicate all merit in the same way as Buddhas of the past, Buddhas of the future and Buddhas of the present. May it be the cause of the enlightenment of all beings.

As the ancient Buddhist master Nagarjuna said, “Discipline is like the ground.” Without ground, there would be no-where to plant seeds that produce vegetables and plants that make us healthy and strong. Likewise, without discipline, there is no way to cultivate good habits that develop our lives in a positive way. Just as a horse gets nowhere until it is harnessed, no life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, and disciplined.

As discipline begins to enter our lives, we come to realize that it is not a punishment or a set of rules imposed from outside, but actually a very sane and inspired way to live.

Of course, the roots of depression are complicated, and in no way do I mean to suggest that discipline is a panacea. It is not, and any severe attacks of anxiety or thoughts of suicide should be treated by professional therapists. Still, bringing discipline into our lives can bring positive changes and help open a previously closed mind.

Contributed by Lama Shenphen Zangpo