## Self Mastery *** **PrevPage**: [[Principle 2 - Live whole heartedly]] **Next Page**: [[Principle 4 - Seek Right Action]] *** ## Overview Perhaps one of the most famous Beatitudes is the phrase that the meek shall inherit the Earth. It was [[Jordan B. Peterson|Jordan Peterson]] who opened my eyes to the possibility that this ancient word might mean something different than what we learned in the modern translation. ## Content Today when we hear the word meek, we think weak, feeble, and even pathetic. However, there is another, older interpretation of the word. There is a story of the word meek, that it meant someone with the ability to **wield a sword competently, but strong enough not to use it.** It was the meek man, who had the self-discipline to learn how to use their weapon properly, but also possessed the patience and humility not draw it at every provocation. Who is more likely to inherit the world? The person who can keep their strength in check, under emotionally balanced control of a calm and centered mind? Or the reactionary person who stifles their emotions, and responds with aggressiveness at the least provocation? The first person sounds like a the good King, the second, a tyrant. And to me, this is directly related to [[The Warrior]] archetype. That ability to develop our resources for action, but keep them in service of our higher mission. Humility, Patience, and Self-Discipline are the corner stones of a competent capable individual. ### Mastering Ourselves When you combine the first three principles, you see an image of someone who is put together, competent, and effective. This person, is the one who is most likely to also have a positive impact on the world. Working from an internal base of strong character, how should we act in the world? The next 4 principles give us some ideas. Starting with [[Principle 4 - Seek Right Action]]. ## What It Looks Like One my most consistent qualities is my intensity. When you couple that with my upbringing where _being right was everything_, this principle is the most challenging for me. However, I have also found it to be the most rewarding. How so? Because it allows me to shift my sense of self-worth away from "right making", to a deeper, internal focus on my own habits and actions. Am I taking care of myself? Am I sharpening the saw? Am I working to become the kind of person other people can count on? It is still a struggle to not seek approval constantly, but I know that approval seeking is like being a vampire, you are taking energy from others. I know my best right action is to build myself where I can be a reservoir for those I care about, imparting them with energy and support. How do I do that? By making sure my resources are never depleted so I can respond instead of react, so I can listen instead of talk, and I can validate instead of seek approval. ## Cross Reference - [[Eight Principles To Live By]] ## Branches - ## References 1.