From Soft to Strong: The Hidden Power of Discipline in a Distracted World

This world is making everyone softer day by day, and the reason is least discussed but should be important for everyone. It's so common to see, especially the younger generation, are becoming softer. As we navigate through a landscape filled with endless distractions—video games, TV shows, fast food, and the infinite scroll of social media—one thing becomes clear: we are caught in the web of instant gratification.

This thought struck me while reading "11 Rules for Life" by Chetan Bhagat, where he warns, ““Society will constantly toss cheap pleasures at you- video games, TV, OTT content, fast food, and infinte scrolling reels on social media. Most People are soft and weak. They will get into these pleasures. “

But why is this happening? And more importantly, how can we break free from this cycle and build a tougher version of ourselves? Here are my thoughts,

The Instant Gratification Trap - Effects & Ways To Deal With it

Imagine this: You’ve had a long day, and as you sit down, your phone pings with a notification. Before you know it, you’re deep into a rabbit hole of reels, memes, and videos. An hour later, you feel satisfied yet strangely hollow. This is the trap of instant gratification—a quick dopamine fix that leaves you softer, both mentally and physically.

Think of your mind as a muscle. Just as a muscle weakens with inactivity, the mind softens with constant gratification.

Every time you give in to instant pleasures, you’re taking a step away from your full potential.

The Cost of Being "Too Soft"

Ab imagine karo ki a river flowing through a valley. If the banks of the river are weak, the water will spill over, creating chaos. But if the banks are strong, the river flows smoothly, even during a storm. Similarly, a strong mind can navigate life’s challenges without being overwhelmed.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying life’s pleasures. However, the problem arises when these pleasures become our default, our go-to when faced with any discomfort. When we constantly choose the easy path, we are, in effect, restricting our growth.

A softer mind leads to a softer will, making us less resilient in the face of real challenges.

The Power of Discipline: Lessons from the Military and the Gym

My Dadaji was one of the most disciplined people I knew. He followed a strict routine—eating the same food, going to bed at the same time, and waking up early every day. His discipline wasn’t about restricting his life; it was about controlling it. That kind of discipline is rare now a days.

Have you ever met a disciplined army personnel or a dedicated gym-goer? These individuals embody mental and physical toughness. They aren’t soft or weak; they are masters of their impulses. Their secret? Discipline and the ability to delay gratification.

The First Step to Toughness: Control Your Impulses

Think of it as taming a wild horse. Initially, it’s challenging, and the horse (your mind) will resist. But with patience and discipline, you can direct it where you want it to go. The journey to becoming tougher begins with controlling your impulses, temptations, and cravings.

By doing so, you train your mind to obey you, rather than the other way around. Now here i can relate to Bhagwat Geeta's quote when Arjun is so confused on the flickering nature of mind. He asks Krishna,

"Chanchalam hi manah Krishna pramathi balavad dridham, tasyaaham nigraham manye vayor iva su-dushkaram."(Bhagavad Gita 6.34)

Translation: "The mind is restless, turbulent, strong, and obstinate, O Krishna, and I think it is more difficult to control than the wind."

Upon this Krishna replies that

"Asaṁśayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ calam, abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa cha gṛihyate."(Bhagavad Gita 6.35)

Translation: "O mighty-armed son of Kunti, undoubtedly, the mind is difficult to control and restless, but it can be controlled by constant practice and detachment."

Explanation: Krishna acknowledges that controlling the mind is indeed a challenging task, but He assures Arjuna that it is possible through two key methods: abhyasa (practice) and vairagya (detachment). Practice refers to the consistent effort to focus the mind and train it, while detachment involves withdrawing from desires and distractions that disturb mental peace.

Now here is the challenge, How in today's world can we practise Vairagya(detachment). I remeber my Dadaji once said that, Lord Shiva is a vairagi, he holds no attachment with the world, he stays neutral. Now if you want to control your mind, first switch off your senses from the current desires and detach yourself.

Unplug, Uninstall, Unsubscribe, and Unfollow is the new Vairagya to be practised.

Start from here, then take a single step at a time.

Thoda Bookish ho jayega but worth it hai. Read next steps -

o practice abhyasa (consistent practice) and vairagya (detachment) in real life, here are some practical steps:

Abhyasa (Consistent Practice):

1. Daily Meditation:

   • Set aside 10-15 minutes each day for meditation. Focus on your breath or a single point of concentration. This helps in training your mind to stay present and reduces mental restlessness.

2. Regular Exercise:

   • Engage in daily physical activity, whether it's a workout, yoga, or a simple walk. Regular exercise not only strengthens the body but also builds mental discipline by pushing you to stay consistent.

3. Mindful Eating:

   • Practice eating slowly and with full awareness of what you're consuming. This can help in controlling cravings and developing self-control over impulsive eating habits.

4. Time Management:

   • Create a daily schedule and stick to it. This includes setting specific times for work, relaxation, and sleep. Consistently following a routine trains your mind to focus and reduces distractions.

5. Learning a New Skill:

   • Dedicate time daily to learning something new, like a language or a musical instrument. The discipline required to master a skill strengthens your mental resilience.

Vairagya (Detachment):

1. Digital Detox:

   • Set specific times during the day to unplug from digital devices. Limit your use of social media and avoid unnecessary screen time. This detachment helps reduce dependency on instant gratification.

2. Minimalism:

   • Practice living with less by decluttering your space and focusing on what truly matters. Detach from material possessions that do not add value to your life.

3. Mindful Consumption:

   • Be mindful of your consumption habits, whether it's food, media, or shopping. Practice saying no to unnecessary indulgences and focus on what genuinely fulfills you.

4. Gratitude Journaling:

   • Keep a daily gratitude journal. This helps shift focus from what you lack to what you have, fostering contentment and reducing the desire for constant external pleasures.

5. Volunteering:

   • Engage in community service or acts of kindness. By helping others, you can detach from self-centered desires and develop a broader perspective on life.

These practices not only help in controlling the mind but also align with the teachings of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, fostering mental strength and self-discipline.

Now here comes the interesting part, the most taked about thing but least understood concept.

The Role of Physical Exercise in Building Mental Toughness

 Imagine chiseling a statue from a block of marble. The process is slow and requires effort, but each strike of the chisel brings you closer to a masterpiece. Similarly, each workout, each disciplined action, sculpts a harder, stronger version of you.

Physical workouts aren’t just about building a stronger body; they are a powerful tool for training your mind. When you push through the discomfort of a workout, you are telling your mind, “I am in control.” This simple act of discipline translates into other areas of life, making you mentally tougher.

Har Dard Ka Ilaaz - Acceptance With Grace = Embrace

Being soft isn’t necessarily bad, but being only soft leaves you vulnerable to life’s challenges. Embrace the harder path—control your impulses, delay gratification, and build discipline. In doing so, you’ll discover a version of yourself that’s resilient, strong, and capable of facing whatever life throws your way.

Remember, the journey to a tougher you starts today. Each decision you make, whether it’s resisting the urge to binge-watch or pushing through a tough workout, is a step toward building a stronger, harder version of yourself.