Zen and the Art of Discipline



Me, aged 29. Portland Japanese Garden, 2008 

If you decide, as I have, to pursue your creative passion, steadfast belief in your work is necessary for motivation. Also, if you are serious about your craft, discipline is essential, especially if you are working alone. Creativity and talent are not enough on their own, and discipline is crucial for sticking with your creative endeavor over the long term.

My own creative pursuit is art and illustration, and much of what I draw and paint is whimsical, spontaneous, and restrained. What appears on the surface to be a quick, minimal brush stroke, or a subtly soft pencil smudge has, behind-the-scenes, taken practice, objectivity, and refinement (and a lot of paper), all of which fall under the general heading of discipline. Without that key element, there is no improvement. Additionally, as living a creative-centered life is much more than simply making art, discipline is an extremely useful asset for structuring your days. 

The opportunity to redirect my time and efforts towards art and illustration coincided with a deepening practice of Zen Buddhism and yoga, both of which require discipline. Years of study in both of these traditions has resulted in that discipline being incorporated into all aspects of my life, and has complimented my creative process. It has also enabled me to navigate difficulties more calmly, which creates space to think and respond appropriately, rather than reacting rashly. 

In Buddhism, the metaphor "polishing the mirror" is used as a way to describe the practice of clearing your mind of delusion and unskillful, distracting thoughts, in order to see things as they really are, rather than as we would like them to be. In today's world, I believe this is more important than ever. 

For many, discipline requires "too much" time and effort, and the mind, with all its potential, is sacrificed at the altar of "convenience," and "quick fixes," resulting in a society that is lazy (morally, physically, and mentally), and ill-equipped to handle even the most simple tasks. In my observations, lack of  discipline breeds apathy, and any free time brought about by "tools of convenience" is usually piddled away on mindless activities.

It is never too late to begin cultivating discipline in order to live a more mindful, engaged, intentional life, and you do not need to adhere to any spiritual or religious tradition in order to do it, nor does it need to be severe, harsh, or overly strict. Over time, as you practice, you will gain an awareness and a clarity that will benefit all areas of your life.

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