The difference between aceticism and discipline

Not long ago someone
proudly proclaimed
That they were spiritually superior
Because they spent their weekend in retreat
Sleeping in a meditation box.



Well, that’s no big deal, I thought
Seeing as how I
Once spent 18 months
Living in a recliner.

Being virtually bedridden
Did not make me more spiritual.
It made me a cranky bastard.

It did, however,
give me a greater appreciation
For my body
As well as the benefits of sleeping
On a comfy bed.
And it made me more
empathetic for those
in a similar situation.
But more spiritual?
Nope.

Somehow, people of all religions
Have gotten the idea
That if it hurts,
It must be spiritual!


If it makes us suffer

Then we must be either
Enlightened beings
And should be
Idolized
Or worse
followed.
So, if I only eat once a day I’ll attain
Nirvana

If I sleep in a box
I’ll become enlightened
If I beat myself senseless

Then God will look upon me
With favor and give me
a big fat reward.

If there is only one thing
I have come to learn
From being Lama Jigme’s student
It’s this:

THE DHARMA SHOULD NEVER, EVER HURT!


Buddha himself practiced asceticism for six years
What people tend to forget is that he abandoned it.
Why?
Because it’s a dead end.



Asceticism generates suffering
It doesn’t extinguish it.
Which in and of itself
Negates the Four Noble Truths.

And what are the Four Noble Truths?
Life is suffering.
One becomes aware of suffering
One finds a way to put a stop to suffering
One accomplishes the path that extinguishes
Suffering.

So.
How can sleeping in a box
Or eating one grain of rice
A day
Or beating yourself
senseless
Accomplish the path?



It can’t.

But how could I be
Disciplined without it?

There is a difference between
Discipline
And asceticism.

Discipline wakes you in the morning
Has you dress
Eat your breakfast
And sits you down
In a comfortable place
And asks you to meditate.
And afterwards, you are
Happy
Content
And enthusiastic about
Starting your day.



Whereas asceticism
Beats you like a rented mule
Threatens you with even
More suffering if you don’t
Comply,
Makes you meditate
While screaming in your
Mind’s ear
That you’re doing it wrong



Asceticism
Propagates the seeds
Of self doubt
Misery
And self righteousness
Pride
And competition.


Whereas
Discipline
Is loving
Generous
Gracious
And modest.

How could anyone
Achieve the two purposes of:
Enlightenment for one’s self
And enlightenment for all
After treating one’s own self
So poorly?

How could we treat others
With love and compassion
When we do not extend these
Courtesies to ourselves?



Care for yourself
Care for others.
Be at peace.


Think on these things.

Until Next Week
OM MANI PADME HUM
Read my teacher's essays at become-buddha


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