DISCIPLINE

Definition of Discipline:
The practice of obeying rules or a code of behaviour

Synonyms of Discipline:
Regulation, direction, order, authority, rule, strictness, etc.

These notes are from recovery in AA and/or related 12 step programs.
Readers are encouraged to click external links for more detail.
We hope you find them helpful.

Love in fellowship.

When the mind is properly adjusted and quietly applied the Way is attainable; But when you are too fervently bent on it, your body grows tired; When your body is tired, your spirit becomes weary.

When your spirit is weary, your discipline will relax, and with relaxation of discipline, there follows many distractions. –Daily Zen/Sutra of Forty Two Chapters | More…

Self-discipline has as its foundation the concept of teaching. It is not built upon a flimsy platform of have to, ought to, or should. -Cornerstones

Discipline liberates rather than confines you.
Discipline allows you to function with ease and grace.

Unfortunately, many of us had discipline forced upon us as children. We were not shown that true discipline always comes from within, and the motivation for that urge is love.

When we are doing what we love, when we are pursuing something that has meaning, discipline comes naturally. Discipline is your ticket to freedom and path to excellence. –Listening to Your Inner Voice/Douglas Bloch | More…

Discipline means understanding there are logical consequences to our behavior. Discipline means taking responsibility for our behavior and the consequences.

Discipline means learning to wait for what we want.
Discipline means being willing to work for and toward what we want.

Discipline means learning and practicing new behaviors.
Discipline means being where we need to be, when we need to be there, despite our feelings.

Discipline is the day to day performing of tasks, whether these are recovery behaviors or washing the dishes.
Discipline involves trusting that our goals will be reached though we cannot see them.

Discipline can be gruelling. We may feel afraid, confused, and uncertain. Later, we will see the purpose. But this clarity of sight usually does not come during the time of discipline.

We may not even believe we’re moving forward. But we are. The task at hand during times of discipline is simple: listen, trust, and obey. –The Language of Letting Go/Melody Beattie | More…

When the mind is properly adjusted and quietly applied the Way is attainable; But when you are too fervently bent on it, your body grows tired; When your body is tired, your spirit becomes weary. When your spirit is weary, your discipline will relax, and with relaxation of discipline, there follows many distractions. –Daily Zen/Sutra of Forty Two Chapters

Discipline liberates rather than confines you. Discipline allows you to function with ease and grace. Unfortunately, many of us had discipline forced upon us as children. We were not shown that true discipline always comes from within, and the motivation for that urge is love. When we are doing what we love, when we are pursuing something that has meaning, discipline comes naturally. Discipline is your ticket to freedom and path to excellence. –Listening to Your Inner Voice.

It is an easy thing to argue from precedent because it makes everything simple, but it is a risky thing to do. Give God “elbow room”; let Him come into His universe as He pleases. If we confine God in His working to religious people or to certain ways, we place ourselves on an equality with God. –My Utmost for His Highest | More…