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So how do you do it? How do you practice compassionate self discipline?

Be present. This is a practice in and of itself. It requires discipline to be aware of every moment. The reason why it’s so important is because you make choices in moments. Those choices add up to the life that you have. When you’re not aware of the moment, you miss the opportunity to consciously choose. You make the choice from past conditioning or someone else makes it for you. If your conditioning is in alignment with the way you want to be, your life is wonderful. If not, well…here we are. So, as much as possible practice being present.

Figure out what you want to be. Beyond being present, what is it you would like to be. Not what you would like to do or have, but what you want to be. If you can only label the things you want to do, find the connection among them. For example, I want to lose weight, run a marathon, get my cholesterol down. The common thread is that I want to be healthy.

Act. Choose an action that you can take in this moment and always to be what you want to be. For me it was eat only when I’m hungry. I could do it immediately and all the time. In any moment, when I feel like eating, I ask myself if I’m hungry. To normal people, it may seem obvious that if you want to eat it means you are hungry, but to me wanting to eat does not equate with hunger. When I want to lash out, I want to eat. When I get bored, I want to eat. When I feel lonely, I want to eat. If I am not present, my conditioning is to eat at those times.

Forgive yourself. This may be the hardest part. How do you know that you’re not just copping out and giving yourself license? In the beginning, you don’t. Regardless, this is the compassionate part of the equation. When you mess up, forgive yourself. Be willing to forgive yourself 70 times 7. Be present in the moment to choose again.

As I practice compassionate self discipline, I will share my experiences with you.