A chapter of futility

Chapter Unknown: Futility

Discipline is a broad subject with a broad definition. In full effect, it is resisting the natural urges of the subconscious, as well as being ready and willing to act consistently and effectively in opposition to even the most tempting of urges within a moment’s notice. It is most commonly known as surpassing the body’s limits by continuously pursuing something with nonstop effort. This is not discipline’s whole form. True discipline is often most displayed by not making any action at all when even every cell in your body begs you to move. In effect, discipline is combat with the self, with an unspecified opponent. Sometimes there are one or more enemies to both understand and overcome. Sometimes there is just one substantial one. At any given moment, the body and mind are at a turmoil, with the body being subjected to the mind limiting it based upon preconceived notions of its limits, and with the mind being chained to the body and is limited by what one can physically achieve by the trained capabilities of the body’s muscles or reflexes. Point being, the mind and body are oftentimes at opposition, even though they are intended to be working together. Some few are capable of realizing this, seeing as it’s not an exactly difficult concept, so what they try to do is fight against their body or mind and beat themselves into submission. However, what they do not realize is that this battle is as futile as it is misguided. Not only will you most certainly lose, but you will lose in such a spectacular way that your body and mind will betray you, and in some instances, even work against you while still obeying your every command. Fight yourself, and you will lose. There is no doubt about it. Doubt, fear, weakness, or some other factor will make sure you do. One cannot hope to defeat someone they have known so intimately as long as they have. The goal is not to fight with the intention of death or complete victory, no being will ever be capable of such. An alternative goal is to make small, brief incursions, or sparring matches, if one will, with yourself as a form of conditioning, rather than being consumed by your own body and mind. The mind cannot even begin to hope to defeat itself, but it can grow to the point of complete superiority through understanding, conditioning, and pride. And, as an addition, when struggling against those who have not conditioned themselves in the same fashion, they will seem weak compared to the skirmishes you have had with yourself. In summary, the condition of the will mind and spirit are made by the tools used against them without the purpose of complete annihilation. Lest the man kills the one he has no right to hide from.