Post 13: Self Mastery

Definition; Self mastery is often defined as self-control, the ability to exert a strong will against our impulses to steer our future to one of our choosing. ... Self mastery requires having a vision for your future self. And harnessing the will to realise that vision. We learn to master ourselves by getting out of our own way.

I am going to start this topic with our perception of reality. Our entire existence is determined by the fact that we exist. I am. Non-existence is impossible. For to know existence means that it always was.

So we know we exist. Then the fundamental question is how do we interpret existence and why? We have an awareness of existence, to know we exist as a human form, and we then experience everything through sense perception. We see shapes and colours, vision. We hear sounds and vibrations, hearing. We feel sensations through touch. We taste and we smell. All sensations that are information we sense from the world around us to perceive the world we live in. Indeed, all sensory perception is awareness. 

We can go deeper into thought, intuition, inner guidance and wisdom or extra sensory perceptions that go beyond the normal bandwidth of our 5 sense reality also. Like we cannot perceive infrared or microwaves through our normal senses. We know though with internal inquiry that there are many realms to sensing the world around us.

So we know, at least at a basic level how we perceive reality. So the question begs, what kind of a reality are we creating and what quality of sensory perception are we having?

I believe our natural state of being on all levels, spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally is that of wholeness, harmony and homeostasis. The body is continually balancing and regulating itself for optimum health and stability. In other words it’s built into our nature to heal and operate at an optimum level for survival. Think about how your body regulates something simple like body temperature or immediately starts the self repair process for a cut on the skin.

So, when it comes to self mastery, as explained in the definition, we discover that one way to master ourselves is by getting out of our own way. By turning within and listening to our own innate guidance, inner intelligence and body wisdom. That’s why the deeper understanding of self is so important for the quality of your existence. How you operate; the quality and awareness of thoughts, your mental environment, how your body functions and facilitating it’s wellness by what you eat, what you habitually think and by exercising. Practicing mindfulness and meditation. Complete wellness, wholeness means being dedicated to the habit of practicing a lifestyle that is in harmony with the concept of total wellbeing. 

Self-mastery should be our highest goal. To know thyself and understand what it means to be a fully alive human being. This means your experience of life will be of quality and of depth. The more life you can be open to, the more life you will experience. All of it, the full spectrum of emotions, happiness, love, peace, joy, fulfilment, purpose, compassion as well as fear, sadness, guilt, shame, hopelessness, depression etc...but through an awareness of self-mastery we can limit the amount we suffer and rather process and feel all feelings in a way where we can then choose that which is best for harmony and healing. Rather than numbing or avoiding the pain and suffering we may have we allow and heal and transmute. As said before, we are innately programmed for total health and wholeness. 

I hope this short exploration on self-mastery helps to inspire your own self inquiry on how to be more aware of how you are living, what control you can exert and to choose beliefs and actions that align to health and well being on every level. The path to self-mastery is an ongoing process of bringing into alignment the very notion that perfect well being is not only possible but our natural state of being.

Rob Ipsen