NECESSARY DISCIPLINE

The word discipline comes from disciple, and this as well does from the Latin discere, to learn.

It is impossible to learn without any discipline, without habits, without any rigor, without the will or self-demanding.

We learn when we study and practice. We learn when we connect well with feeling. And we comprehend when we integrate whatwe have learnt.

And none of it is for free. Creativity, ingenuity, innovation are integrated into a process including from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence, which consists of four stages:

1. Unconscious incompetence: we are not aware that we do not know. We are ignorant.

2. Conscious incompetence: we assume that we do not know. We are unaware.

3. Conscious competence: we know that we know. We are apprentices.

4. Unconscious Competence: we know and exercise with high competition without any efforts. We are teachers.

The way to move from the first to the fourth level is arduous and it takes effort, waiving, giving in. The process is not easy, but it leads to the realization, transformation and joyful surrender to others, finally. And the key ingredient in all the way is discipline.

Let’s not take it then as an unpleasant requirement. Without it there would be no habits or skills or expertise, no art, no culture. Discipline leads to creative freedom that shapes our consciousness, sensitivity and ability to help others improve. Any worthwhile conquest needs the concrete brought by discipline to stand tall.

Hugs and kisses,

Álex