- to accept without causing pain
- self mortification
- to heat
- discipline
"Discipline" has come to be a bit of a bad word in some parts of our society, especially among liberals and youth. For people who seek freedom and self-discovery, any idea of limitation or rigidness might appear antithetical.
Yet, Patanjali says in this sutra that we need tapas if we are to journey on the path to freedom (samadhi).
Many years ago I heard Gary Kraftsow describe a certain delicious fruit near his home in Hawaii. But, this fruit was not digestible until cooked. The heating process made it possible for nourishment to occur. He used this as a metaphor for tapas.
Does discipline need to involve pain? I don't think so. Perhaps it involves discomfort. But, if we don't choose a healthy discipline for growth, we are likely to bump into more painful experiences that will teach us the lesson in a more difficult way. This is why the doctor tells us to exercise: because the other option is to have health problems resulting from lack of exercise.
The good news about discipline is that it eventually starts to feel good to know that we are taking care of ourselves and investing in a healthy future. This is why people who have a routine of yoga look forward to their regular practice.
I invite you to consider what discipline means to you. And ask some of your loved ones...how does discpline help in their lives?
