I actually got out of bed by 4:45 this morning, I was surprised because I was awake before my alarm went off, I actually ended up laying in bed (amazing how fast 15 minutes goes by when you just want to lay in bed) then got up.
I’ve started doing lukewarm showers instead of hot showers first thing. It feels like more disciplining my mind and body as opposed to me giving in. My brain says “can’t we turn it up a little more?” and I go on about showering, then blast myself with frigid water – today I started making myself turn around more. My brain would think “okay this is fine now, would suck to get blasted on my back now.” so I’d turn myself around and let the water hit my back. Super uncomfortable, but that’s the idea.
I actually woke up thinking about the book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. It left me in a daze when I read it 10 years go and I got rid of the book feeling like I bought it used, and so I should pass it on like the person who read it before me did. I remember there was a lot of interesting thoughts on addiction and our relationships to things like food, alcohol, sex, and sleep.
I went to bed thinking about the rights that sages often go through for a taste of enlightenment or even initiation rituals. Often the initiates are alone, in an adverse situation or are voluntarily fasting for extended periods of time.
Voluntary hardship.
Choosing to enduring extreme circumstances often means that you’ll be better prepared to survive in the worst scenarios – i.e. you become more resilient.
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