The way I see it, what is self-discipline, if not the power to exert control over yourself and not be a slave to the impulses of the moment? Well, desire is born from the realisation that you're lacking something, right? If you didn't know that that nice expensive car existed, you wouldn't feel the need to own it. This is how most advertisement campaigns work, by creating and fuelling artificial "needs" that people then feel compelled to satisfy. With power it's a little different, because one can say that it's an all-pervasive force that takes different forms and makes its presence felt in a variety of ways. For example, it's been said that sex is about power, and that every relationship is, at its core, a power struggle. As such, I don't know if it's possible to completely escape from the feeling of being powerless, but some people definitely seem oblivious to the fact that they lack power in a certain area of their life. Just think about the ones who believe that, through their support of a certain candidate, they can influence the fate of their country in any meaningful way. I suppose that at least in theory, a person could be free from any desire for power, if his basic material and emotional needs were constantly being met and it never dawned on him that those things could be taken away from him at any moment, and he was never exposed to the idea that power is a desirable thing; or if his perception of reality was so warped that he couldn't see how other people are using their power to manipulate him and shape the direction of his life.But is that power or self-discipline?
Could you please elaborate about not realizing our own powerlessness? Why do you believe those are the ones who don't desire power?
I think I'd call that control rather than power, but I suppose an argument could be made that the two are synonymous. But then again, maybe they aren't? In response to the rest of your response, I think self-control/discipline may be different than power, or at least how I've come to relate with the term. I don't know that I agree with your point about relationships being about power struggles. They CAN be, but they aren't always. In my relationship with my fiance, we are continuously aware about each others needs and make sure we don't impose what we want on the other when it's not mutual. I guess that's the definition of a healthy relationship. In repose to the last paragraph you wrote, I would have to say that I'm among those who don't desire power. While my emotional needs aren't always met (I get sad, anxious, etc.) I know that those are things that I can control and always have the ability to do so. It's not that I desire the power to change my emotions, I know that regardless of the situation, I have the ability to do so. I'd say as well that I'm constantly aware that all things could be taken away from me. An awareness of non-attachment has led me to be fine with the loss of anything, including my own life (although, I do still struggle with the possibility of losing my fiance for whatever reason. I'm certainly not 100% at non-attachment, but I believe there are people out there who have achieved that state). In a conversation someone brought up the quote "knowledge is power" to which I replied that I don't want to be powerful, I want to be peaceful.The way I see it, what is self-discipline, if not the power to exert control over yourself and not be a slave to the impulses of the moment?