“in Tibetan, the term for discipline is “tsul trim.” ‘Tsul’ means “appropriate” or “just” and “trim” means “rule” or “way.” So discipline is to do what is appropriate or just; that is, in an excessively complicated age, to simply live our lives.” Sogyal Rinpoche
“Through a spiritual discipline we prevent the world from filling our lives to such an extent that there is no place to listen.”Henri J.M. Nouwen
The other day when I was listening to a call in a show on the radio, a woman called in and spoke about her experience being disciplined by a nun at a Catholic school. It made me laugh, having had a similar experience at the convent school I attended.
We had a study hall every afternoon. Silence was required and strictly enforced. If you dropped a pencil, you received a demerit and had to work for a nun for an hour. I remember being so nervous every day about this.
I am grateful for my years there. The boarding school was in an old, rambling turn of the century mansion in NY near the New Jersey line. Part of the school held the classrooms, library, office and dorm rooms.The other half of the building held “community,” where the nuns lived. The doors to “community” were always closed, with a lit votive candle on a table nearby. If you entered “community” you were expelled immediately.
One of the important things I learned there are there are lines that cannot be crossed. Imaginative excuses would lead to further trouble.
The New Moon on January 18 tells a cautionary tale about boundaries and limits. Initiatives started under this influence need to follow the rules – they need be well founded in fact with pragmatic planning and with a commitment to perseverence built into the structure. The Moon is at 28 degrees of Capricorn. Capricorn is a no-nonsense sign.
Within that kind of structure there is room for innovation and creativity.
One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”An ancient pottery bowl filled with fresh violets.”
Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill