Peaceful Beginnings, Disciplined Heart
Disciplined heart grows
By inner spring peace will flow
Radiant the rising sun
To discipline one’s heart.
To discipline one’s heart. What journey does it unveil for the awaiting soul? I’ve recently been captivated by the art of poetry, particularly the Japanese form of haiku. While I’m still a novice, humbled by the talent I encounter on WordPress, I find myself contemplating a fundamental question: What does it truly mean to walk with a disciplined heart?
Biblical Wisdom: A Disciplined Heart
All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.
Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.
Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.
No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
(1 Corinthians 9.23-27)
By Discipline, the Heart will Grow
Discipline can have many meanings, often bringing to mind punishment, especially the corrective actions taken with a child to instill a sense of right and wrong. This definition is crucial in developing our moral compass, that guides us toward civil and harmonious living, away from discord. We don’t have to look far to see the societal effects of a lack of internal discipline.
While it’s easy to view corrective discipline as harsh, it’s important to consider its broader scope. Internally, discipline involves adopting a set of rules to train the body, mind, and spirit. The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as “training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement” (Harper Collins).
This internal training, much like an athlete’s rigorous regimen as seen in the verse above, allows us to test our abilities. Some may succeed, others may not. Yet, by agreeing to a framework, we can train ourselves to reach unprecedented levels of wellbeing and allow our psychological experience to embrace life’s unfolding in a way that fosters optimal wellbeing.
By Inner Spring, Peace will Flow
Disciplining the heart creates a pathway for inner peace. I often engage with videos and podcasts on meditation and prayer, both forms of discipline – a practice, not perfection. Many teachers emphasize the difficulty of directing our thoughts, hence the term “practice.”
Yet, we all have access to the inner spring of consciousness. It does flow, sometimes powerfully, other times needing the calm of still waters for nourishment. Where can we find this spring of inner peace?
Through practice. Practice in prayer and mindfulness. Find peace in the present moment, with what is, even if the spring is turbulent. There’s always a way to ground that energy productively.
Radiant, the Rising Sun
The sun rises and sets, a perspective from our spinning Earth. As the poet and philosopher Hafiz wrote:
Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth,
“You owe Me.”
Look what happens with
A love like that,
It lights the Whole Sky.
(Hafiz)
Radiant is the rising sun, and so too is the setting sun. What can we do with the hours in between? More importantly, what can we do with the time between the sunrise and sunset of life? These experiences act as the radiance through which we can offer a true gift to our spinning, yet flourishing Earth.
Thank you for reading, and may blessings accompany you on your journey towards greater Self-Realization. May God guide you to believe, achieve, and advance confidently in the direction of your dreams.
References
Hafiz. “The Sun Never Says.” Poet Seers, http://www.poetseers.org/the-poetseers/hafiz/hafiz-poems-the-gift/hafizdl/the-sun-never-says/. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
Harper Collins. “The American Heritage Dictionary Entry: Discipline.” American Heritage Dictionary Entry: Discipline, ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=discipline&submit.x=0&submit.y=0. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “1 Corinthians.” New American Bible Revised Edition. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/9. Accessed [28 Mar. 2025].
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