DISCIPLINE

1. What exactly is the purpose of practicing a discipline in direct relationship to the inner work?

The main purpose of any discipline on the spiritual path is obviously to overcome a separate sense of ‘I’, an egoistic identity, and to come to a place of total peace.

What this means is that the chosen discipline cannot be only about ‘me’, but will need to include the ‘other’.

If resistance arises in our practice - subtle or gross - and it is acknowledged, it may be used to recognize the underlying belief that ‘I’ as outgoing ego have chosen to adopt and that has led to the experience of resistance. How we experience reality is directly linked to what we choose to believe and unless made conscious, each belief - acting as a filter - will have us perceive an experience repeatedly the same way. In other words: I have chosen a belief and believing this creates my direct experience.

Being honest about what is experienced is therefore the first step to feeling what is needed to be felt and finding the next step.

2. What exactly is the intention behind the practice of a discipline regarding inner work?

Practicing a discipline is intended to provide clarity about the unconscious material that creates a separate sense of ‘I’. It is a form of steady, ongoing training requiring repetition to develop self-control, in other words: a self-imposed exercise. By deliberately investigating the beliefs of one’s core life matrix one might discover, for example, that one has engaged in a discipline just to get approval from others, who we choose then to attribute the place of ‘outside source’. Over time, as we mature, the focus might turn away from approval seeking and shift to participating in the collective growth in consciousness, which in itself reflects a growing sense of responsibility.

3. How do you deal with things that come up?

Naturally, the type of healing / therapeutical work is unique for everybody and something only the individual can decide. And once this has been decided, one can begin to explore and integrate one’s ‘shadow’ and what appears as obstacles on the path.

4. Where is the openness?

Discipline always is a challenge. When there is a willingness to explore different perspectives, then there is a real possibility for creating openness and strengthening one’s intention.

5. What is your multi-viewpoint view - is there appreciation for example?

In regard to discipline, it means to acknowledge the possibility of looking at what is from different points of view instead of dogmatically choosing just one perspective, a hardened viewpoint so-to-speak. For example, when meeting resistance, it is the willingness to consider different viewpoints that might help firstly to soften, widen back, and become less identified. And then, again, explore the underlying belief leading to the particular experience.

6. How does service come into this?

I believe being of service, caring and compassionate, is only done through a dedicated and disciplined approach, developing clarity.

FOCUS

1. What exactly is the purpose?

Being focused - the state or quality of paying particular attention to something - is a sine-qua-non, another indispensable component of the work in consciousness. The purpose is to develop clarity, giving full and undivided attention to the topic one chooses to explore, e.g., the set of beliefs creating a situation, circumstance, or perception of reality.

2. What exactly is the intention?  

Developing focus will help to avoid distractions and make it easier to stay on target. A focused mind is essential to maintain discipline; both go hand in hand, leading simultaneously to an increase in one’s attention span amid all distractions and to a heightened state of awareness – all important qualities when doing the inner work.

3. How do you deal with things that come up?

Developing a focused mind will definitely help when different forms of resistance come up in the process. It will allow to admit, acknowledge what is felt, not go on tangents, and allow for a straightforward solution.

4. Where is the openness?

Allowing the position or posture that one knows nothing, a gap opens, allowing one to direct the focus of one’s attention to what is required by letting go of limiting beliefs and adopting a wider perspective that includes the whole.

5. What is your multi-viewpoint view - appreciation?

Focus will allow working with different viewpoints without getting lost in one particular perspective and whatever comes with it as opposed to staying in a hardened state of perception where only a few options appear possible.

6. How does service come into this?

The necessity of being of service will naturally arise as a consequence of a focused mind. Like a laser, the mind will focus on what is required every moment.

CONSISTENCY

1. What exactly is the purpose?

Consistency on the spiritual path is what creates accountability. It inspires trust to see somebody engaging consistently, on a regular basis, in the same meaningful practice.

2. What exactly is the intention?

To support the formation of helpful, supportive habits.

3. How do you deal with things that come up?

It will be of immense help and value to focus on a set of tools when encountering difficulties.

4. Where is the openness?

For openness to be there it will require a clear decision, a commitment to stick to the chosen discipline, and becoming aware of distractions or diversions presented by the mind.

5. What is your multi-viewpoint view - appreciation?

Someone trained to develop consistency will be naturally more inclined to continue regardless and also more open to considering different approaches and views on the same topic. Not scattered so easily, standing on firm ground, this person will be in appreciation whatever the mind throws up, develop compassion, and naturally be inclined to support others when struggling on the path.

6. How does service come into this?

Service can be used to overcome the contraction that comes when focusing on ‘I’, ‘me’, and ‘mine’, revolving around the self-obsessed nature of the ego, the sense of being a separate identity. The more consistency has been developed, the more service will be experienced as a direct response to leaving self-importance or any egoic tendency behind. When putting the attention consistently on ‘the other’ by being in service - the sense of a separate identity disappears – it’s merging into something bigger than a personal identity.

COMPASSION

1. What exactly is the purpose?

I believe real spiritual progress happens when there is also an awareness that it is one’s responsibility to develop compassion and empathy through the form of service for other sentient beings.

2. What exactly is the intention?

Compassion developed through service seems to be the most direct way to overcome a separate sense of ‘I’. Egoic identities die in the practice of service as the focus of attention stops revolving around ‘me’ and ‘mine’.

3. How do you deal with things that come up?

One would clean up damage caused to others by uncovering the truth about one’s position and admitting the payoffs.

4. Where is the openness?

It is found in the willingness to start telling the truth and atone for transgressions.

5. What is your multi-viewpoint view - appreciation?

Compassion and appreciation go hand in hand. First, there is the appreciation of what appears moment after moment – one’s own actions, feelings, etc., and the actions and reactions of others, etc. Appreciation is not necessarily approval, but simply a posture of positive acceptance. Compassion and compassionate action are what follow when suffering is seen.

6. How does service come into this regarding these four words

Service is the essential fuel on the spiritual path – the fuel that enables one to overcome egoic patterns. It is the lived expression of unconditional love and deep affection.