Discipline For Freedom - Sila Paramita
Moral discipline in the Paramitas is not about restriction or rigidity—it’s about simplifying our lives and aligning our actions with what truly matters. It’s a way of being that creates the conditions for positive, meaningful, and happy states of mind. By cultivating discipline, we free ourselves from distractions and unhelpful habits that drain our energy. This allows us to meet our basic needs—what we might call hedonic happiness—so we can access something deeper: eudaimonic happiness, a sense of purpose and fulfilment rooted in living a life of meaning and integrity.
A good friend recently sent me a copy of Active Hope by Joanna Macy, and what immediately resonated with me was the relationship between being intentional in our lives and discipline. The book highlights how we are not passive bystanders to the challenges of our time—we are active participants in creating a more just, compassionate, and sustainable future. Discipline, I think, is what enables us to step into this role. It gives us the clarity to see where our actions align with harmful systems and behaviours often accepted as “business as usual”—systems rooted in overconsumption, disconnection, and exploitation.
The foundation of discipline is built on three essential qualities:
Conscientiousness: A careful and deliberate awareness of what actions to embrace and what to avoid.
Mindfulness: The ability to remain present, never forgetting what serves us and what holds us back.
Vigilance: A continuous checking-in with the state of our body, speech, and mind—our accountability to ourselves.
Through mindfulness, vigilance, and conscientiousness, we can begin to break free from these patterns. Discipline helps us choose a path of greater awareness and intention, supporting us as we shift towards ways of being that nurture ourselves, our communities, and the planet.
The process begins with mindfulness, which keeps us aligned with what should be adopted and what should be left behind. Then, through vigilance, we observe the subtle movements of our body, speech, and mind, recognising moments when we might shy away from virtuous actions or be drawn toward harmful ones.
In those moments, conscientiousness arises. It reminds us of the rewards of virtuous conduct and the drawbacks of unwholesome choices. With this understanding, we’re empowered to take positive action or refrain from negativity, guiding our journey with clarity and purpose.
When we embrace discipline in this way, it becomes a liberating force. It helps us move away from behaviours that perpetuate harm and towards a way of living that fosters connection, compassion, and Active Hope—a life in service of healing and transformation, for ourselves and the world around us.