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To develop discipline and healthy routines, one must observe Niyamas, or Do's, in order to grow on the path of spirituality. One of the Niyamas is Tapa, meaning self-discipline. In this modern age, self-discipline is both a necessity and a challenge. We know that the obstacle is the path. An individual must undergo some kind of hardship if he wants to develop spiritually. To get out of one's old habits, one has to undergo some pain. Getting rid of the old thoughts, feelings, and external things that hold us back from progressing. Patanjali says you must learn to bear pleasure and pain with the same equanimity. By practicing Tapa, you will be doing things you don’t want to do. It’s doing the harder things instead of the easier ones. It’s sticking with it even if you want to quit. It’s pushing through the resistance and not giving in to the excuses. My Tapa has been to change the negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It has been part of my conditioning since childhood. Breaking old patterns is never easy, but Tapa puts your will to the test. Convert discipline into devotion, outer struggles to inner strength, demons into diamonds, and only then can you gain mastery over your body and senses. What have you struggled to give up or are trying to give up in your life?
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