Discipline as doing what needs doing

If we define discipline as the art of doing what needs doing, when it needs to be done, whether we like it or not, then it is one of the Stoic's most powerful tools.

In the morning, when you rise unwillingly, let this thought be present: I am rising to the work of a human being. — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.1

What needs to be done is what Reason says needs to be done, and we can't argue with it.

No one is free who is not master of themselves. — Epictetus, Fragments

The practice of virtue also demands that we do what needs to be done, whether we are inclined to do it or not. After all,

Every habit and faculty is maintained and increased by the corresponding acts, the habit of walking by walking, the habit of running by running.... If you would make anything a habit, do it. — Epictetus, Discourses 2.18

For the Stoics, discipline is not optional but a way of life.

Disciplines as areas of study

If we define discipline as a field of study, then, to complete our Stoic education, we need to master three disciplines.

The Discipline of Desire. We suffer because we misjudge things. When we believe that externals such as money, power, and possessions will make us happy, we are mistaken. They are indifferents. Some of them may be desirable as "preferred" indifferents. Nevertheless, they have nothing to do with our character and therefore nothing to do with our happiness. By practicing the discipline of desire, we judge external things correctly and learn to be good to ourselves.

The discipline of desire ensures that, as long as we confine our desires and aversions to what is under our control, we will always get what we want and never get what we do not want.

The discipline of action. The discipline of action is about how we treat others, our daily conduct, and our social obligations. To practice this discipline, we train ourselves to act virtuously, work toward the common good, involve ourselves in philanthropy, and act fairly toward others. We accept that we may not succeed in our aims, but nevertheless continue helping our community and others in general.

The discipline of assent. Much of our misunderstanding of reality comes from our thoughts, mental impressions, and snap judgments about people and events. The discipline of assent asks us not to judge anything too quickly. Our first impressions can be wrong. We should not assent to impressions such as "X doesn't like me," "Y is trying to take advantage of me," or "Z is arrogant" without fully examining the situation. When we fail to examine our impressions and give our assent too easily, they can lead to anger, anxiety, or hostility. To practice the discipline of assent, we should watch our judgments of people and things, suspend our initial impressions, and calmly review whether our initial judgments are valid.

Using these three disciplines: 

1. We confine ourselves to things we control.
2. We act responsibly toward others.
3. We do not accept snap judgments about people and events but examine them rationally.

When we practice the three disciplines, we will naturally do what we need to do when we need to do it.

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