Discipline = love

Some quick(ish) thoughts on the nature of discipline:

When we think of "discipline" it tends to conjure up images of parents punishing children for some wrong-doing ("he was acting out, so we had to discipline him") or some similar form of "corrective" action. Or, it's about the ability to make yourself do something you don't want to do ("It's 6AM, I'm tired, and my bed is super warm, but I'm going to get up and go for a run")

We imagine discipline as a kind of grim work ethic - an ablative process where we forge our minds into an instrument that is impervious to pain or weakness - and can therefore drive our bodies to work longer and harder.

After my recent post on death imagery, I hesitate to write this next part in the fear that I will be forever cast as Mr. Sunshine And Puppies...

I think Discipline is Love.

Love is the only thing that will get you out of a warm bed at 6AM to go for a run in 20 degree weather. Here's the thing: it doesn't necessarily have to be a love of running. It can be a love of what the running does for you and/or your family.

Now, I don't think love is a binary thing - it isn't "off," or "on." It's a continuum, or a process - a process of understanding. The more we come to understand something, the more we can love it. (if it's worthy)

I don't want to go too far off the deep end with that idea - it's an inexhaustible subject and many more skilled thinkers/writers have tried to tackle it - so let's move on for now...

From a health/fitness perspective, the process begins the first time you accomplish something that was originally beyond you. It could be lifting a certain amount of weight, running a mile non-stop, vaulting an obstacle, etc. The first time you succeed, there's a beautiful moment of exultation. The world opens before you. You begin to wonder what else you are capable of. Smash a few more goals and you begin to wonder where the limits are. You come to understand that with effort, focused intent, and patience, there's not much you can't do. To me, that's discipline. That's what will get you out of bed in the cold dark mornings and back to work. You may not enjoy that moment, but you love the process.

On the flip side, you may come into a new physical practice full of wild excitement - I see this a lot with martial arts and parkour. You are SO excited to get started and can't wait to do all that stuff you saw on Youtube. Your enthusiasm is like a new fire, throwing off big, bright flames. In this case, Discipline is turning that bright fire into a bed of coals - less dramatic, but enduring, extremely hot, and useful. Once again, this is a process of understanding - coming to realize that these activities take a lot of focus, work, and commitment. Recognizing that progress must be measured over years, not days. Loving the process.

Flash in the pan vs. the slow burn

I think that discipline, or love-of-process, speaks to something that is uniquely and beautifully human. If you keep up with Primatology you know that humans don't hold a monopoly on tool use, language, culture, even theory-of-mind. But we are unique in our ability to imagine. We see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. We know that with enough work, we can accomplish tasks that are impossible "right now". In that sense, Discipline is an act of creativity and imagination - a celebration of what makes us human.

Hm... that wasn't quick at all.  Oh well, you, my tens of readers, should know what you're getting yourselves into by now  ;)

What do you think about all of this?

Fifth Ape shirts! (plus a post-modernist crisis-of-humanity moment)

Ahhh technology. Giving us all the power to put whatever we want on a T-shirt since... what? 2007? Something like that...

So yesterday was a blustery, rainy day here in Chapel Hill. I took the opportunity to catch up on some emails, do some accounting, buy some groceries, watch Liam Neeson beat-up half of Paris...

...Oh yeah, and MAKE A BUNCH OF FIFTH APE SHIRTS!!!

 I've never made shirts before. I hope they're good... what do you think?

Will you buy one? All designs are available for men, women, and kids. Everything is fully customizable through the Zazzle store.  This isn't a money-making venture for me - I think I make about $.50 off of each shirt - but you'd be helping me out a lot by turning yourself into a walking billboard... um, I mean, helping me promote the brand!

You do have to promise me that you'll do everything you can to wear these shirts outside and to get them as dirty as possible.  In fact, send me pictures of your mud-splattered Fifth Ape shirt and I'll put it up on the site!

You can find everything at the Fifth Ape Zazzle store here or by following the new "Buy Stuff" link at the top of this website.

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 Have you ever made a shirt on Zazzle before? If so, have you played around with the "models?" Basically, there are a whole bunch of different models - real people - who have been photographed in a variety of poses. The software takes your design and sticks it on the clothes these models are wearing - doing a pretty great job of mimicking folds, angles, lighting, etc.

"But these poor models have NO IDEA what they're wearing! You can make them wear anything! Stuff they may not like! Where's the free will?? Is this the beginning of the Singularity? What happens to the rights of the Individual now???"

...That was roughly my thought process for about 30 seconds after discovering this functionality. Then I put a Fifth Ape shirt on the foxy Asian girl model - and it looked real good. A note to all foxy Asian girls out there: Fifth Ape shirts look good on you. I have photographic proof.

The problem of the "Death Aesthetic"

Some recent events have left me pondering life, death and our own mortality. This quickly led me to once again consider a “favorite” subject of mine - the lamentable “death aesthetic” that permeates much of the health/fitness industry.

Have you noticed it? Here’s a fun game - do a google image search for “crossfit logos” and count the number of skulls and weapons you see.

Another example: Remember when “martial arts” conjured up images of long years of focus and practice, discipline, and slow mastery of not just fighting, but living?

...and now it’s increasingly about blood, money, and barb wire tattoos? You can’t watch an MMA event without hearing the word “gladiator” at least a few times.

Martial Arts: Then and Now

For yet another example, you should read Frank Forencich’s account of his experience at the Arnold Fitness Expo in his latest book Change Your Body Change the World.

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There’s nothing wrong with death - it’s a part of life. And there’s nothing wrong with occasionally embracing the macabre - in fact, it’s healthy to do so.  Celebrations like Halloween and Día de los Muertos help us come to terms with our fear of death. That’s a good thing.

Unfortunately, I think the proliferation of death imagery in the fitness world speaks to something else entirely.  It’s less about “Death: the natural path of life” and more about “Death: the cultural corollary to Pain and Destruction.”

“It’s motivational” some say. Oh? You’re motivated by destruction and pain? Interesting. Are you the giver of pain or the receiver of it? What does that say about you? And, ultimately, isn’t the origin of both options our old friend Fear The Mind-Killer?

“It breeds resilience and mental toughness,” others say. That strikes me as naive and juvenile. One of my original training partners was born in Cambodia during the 1970s. He lost most of his family to the brutal genocide of the Khmer Rouge and had to flee to a refugee camp in Thailand, where he spend a good part of his childhood. He’s been through more than most of us in this country can imagine. He is also one of the most positive, polite, kind, and generous people I’ve ever met. We hear many similar stories - incredible tales of resistance and perseverance - and the common theme is maintaining hope and finding humanity in the most unexpected places.

I’m definitely no psychologist, but I think I know what’s going on here. It’s all about good ol’ fashioned primate dominance displays. Projecting images of death and destruction to the world heralds you as rough and tough - a conquerer - and therefore superior to those around you:

“What? You want to challenge me and my opinions? Don’t you see this skull logo?? I’m a badass. I will totally kill you. I’m the best.”

“But that’s not a valid argument!”

“Whatever. You’re clearly a wuss. I’m the best.” *

*Yes, I’m exaggerating to prove a point. But not by much - check out sites like T-Nation and view some of the forum threads.

Who are they trying to convince? Yes, they attract those who think Destruction=Power, but everyone else is turned off. Great for niche marketing. Not so great for a general population that desperately needs to get moving.

There’s been a lot of talk about the importance of “finding your tribe.” It is important. But I think it’s unfortunate that we seem to be rapidly reestablishing another tribal tradition - constant warfare with neighboring tribes (Paleos vs. Vegans, Crossfit vs. Globo Gyms, Powerlifters vs. Everyone Else, etc.) and the associated hyper-aggressive posturing.  Sadly, I’ve seen a little of this in the Parkour community as well - one group directly or implicitly states that they are “the best.”  A recently posted video features a young traceur giving the finger to the world.  *Sigh*

So what’s the big deal?

My friend Josh Leeger recently reminded us of an internal martial arts proverb, “Chi follows Yi.”  Adaptation follows Intent.

Physical development is a process of Creation. Training stimulates Growth - of muscle, bone, sinew, and especially neuron. We build skills, build understanding of our bodies, build awareness, etc.

Last time I checked, Destruction and Punishment were the opposites of Creation and Growth. If that’s your intent, what kinds of adaptation can you expect over the long run? Nothing good, I suspect.

Let’s pull back to a cultural/global perspective. Solving the modern problems we humans face will require levels of collaboration and cooperation the likes of which we have rarely, if ever, seen. Policies of fear, violence, and isolation will not serve. We need to be open, creative, and empathetic.

Remember, the dosage makes the medicine and the dosage makes the poison. I’m not suggesting that all Crossfit affiliates trade their skull logos in for kittens and ponies or that you can’t blast loud music to get pumped up for your next 1RM PR attempt. But focus on the positive. Your movement should be a creative, joyful process. Focus on creation, growth, and love.  You get what you train for.