Hidden Treasure Series-Part XV- On Discipline and Control

My Dear friends, young-and-not-so-young,

When I was in school, I used to skip classes on Saturdays( which was for Half-day) as apart from traveling 20Kms two-way, I normally found nothing useful taught Saturdays as everyone used to be in a holiday mood. At home, I used to plan that day to put to good use. Being born to be a rebel, I used to (and still) change some stupid man-made rules to suit my convenience. That practice continues even today. Also I didn’t have a set pattern of timing for anything. I just did/do what I like and I enjoyed what I did.

Shall we understand this term discipline as I find children in India being mentally and physically tortured under the name of discipline! Even my academician wife sometimes wishes that I were a little more disciplined! I often wonder what the hell is discipline?

Ravi: Welcome Shri.GRK. Today, we shall discuss the one word that has been haunting me for many years. Shall we understand what Discipline is all about? Indians, I bet, are still suffering from colonial ramifications, especially on regimented Discipline!

What is NOT Discipline?

GRK: Sure. Discipline does not mean merely a behavior pattern. It is not simply a set of ‘do’s and ‘don’ts; neither it is a code of timing, expectations, or values; nor a conformity to a set institutional functioning.

Ravi: You know am child-like, don’t conform to any institution. I seem to function spontaneously to activities and events and I tend to sleep well without alcohol. Is something wrong with me?

GRK: Hah Ha! Ravi, being child-like (Not childish) is a gift. So you don’t bother. Just continue the way you are.

Discipline is a natural and spontaneous way of functioning in LIFE

Ravi: Does discipline anything to do with social orientation, then?

GRK: Discipline implies a rhythm, a cycle, an order in life. It is a natural and spontaneous way of functioning in life. It is most informal; it does NOT have anything to do with social orientation nor with value expectations.

Ravi: Wow! Thank you. However, what about self-control? Earlier, I used to have dysfunctional anger and have lost self-control, many a time, in controlling my tongue.

GRK: I’m glad that you have gotten over that dysfunctional anger. However functional anger is very much required.

So, what is the TRUE meaning of Discipline?


Ravi: You shared what’s not discipline. Can you make me understand the true meaning of Discipline so that I shall be a better person? Still I’m succumbing to cigarettes, after a meal with no-self-control!

GRK: Ravi, Discipline means a restraint nay a control over one’s instincts and desires-biological economic, social and psychological. Thus self-discipline or self-control is the most natural and highest form of discipline. This is nothing to do with fear of any kind, of military, party or of government. Rational non-conformity and constructive dissent are inseparable and integral part of self-discipline.

The paradox today

Ravi: Awesome. But, we are witnessing a paradoxical situation in today’s world. We are living in a civilization which provokes, increases and glorifies the number of human wants which in turn ultimately leads to all types and forms of exploitation, biological, economic, social, political and psychological (ex: greed, injustice, violence, inequality, possessiveness, slavery, colonialism and imperialism).

GRK: This civilization provokes human instincts and desires in an endless way through powerful mass media, all under the name of sophisticated living and cultured existence. On the other hand, the so- called discipline, in traditional sense, prohibits fulfilling these provoked instincts and needs biological, economic, social and psychological conditioning. Could it be possible to have an instinct provoked and at the same time not satiating it. (Not fulfilling it?) This is a tremendous contradiction in our present day life.

Self-awareness and self-realisation is the key

GRK: Are we really concerned with imparting the true self-discipline to our children, not the imposed discipline? If so, we must understand, discipline as harnessing of one’s instincts by him/her and the taming of his/her ego by himself/herself. Then only, we can be truly disciplined people and nation. This discipline (not regimentation) does not curb rational non-conformity or stifle creative dissent.

Ravi: So self-awareness and self-realisation is the key and it should come from within. Thank you so much for this understanding. I guess this is what I wanted.

Folks, we are nearing the end of this Hidden Treasure series with the chapters on Senses, ‘Prayer, Meditation and Samadhi’, Science of Sex, TRUTH and LIFE still remaining. Hope to complete that in the coming weeks.

To all my Muslim friends from across the world, wishing you all in advance on the eve of Ramzan! It’s a great time of the year for the self to be tamed and time for self-introspection,self-control and self-discipline, though regimented. Look forward to delightful Biryani that you folks make!

Kind Regards

Ravi