Willpower and Spirituality

You are passing the liquor cabinet and you see the open wine bottle from the anniversary party. You want to have a glass, but you know that one will soon become two and often three. You summon your willpower, take the bottle and pour the wine down the drain. Now you know that you are safe since there is no way that you would leave your cozy apartment and head to the liquor store.

Sounds familiar, sounds scary? While this story may or may not talk to you, spirituality is about willpower as well and the little tricks you find in order to stay on the Tao. By slowly eliminating all distractions along the way, you channel the fountain of energy within you into the desired direction. Everyone who is on a mission does it. The lonely single who is out on dates, the power-hungry CEO aspirant, the pro-golfer. Everybody channels energy towards the desired target; the stronger the urge to succeed, the more laser-focused the attention becomes at the exclusion of everything else.

Spiritual growth is a little different in that there is no target per-se with the noble exception of trying to stay on the Tao. Yet, in effect the process will be similar as you will get your cues along the way to cut out distracting habits and desires. On the spiritual path one travels light. Nobody should tell you what exactly you have to do, that is entirely up to you to find out. You are on a unique starting point with a specific mission, and it is up to you to find out what choices to make and how to creatively express yourself. As you wander along your spiritual path, the Tao will be a perfect feedback mechanism just for you. Accept that you have hit to gym in order to succeed, but that you will then use your acquired strength to express yourself freely and creatively.