MY PLAN FOR FUTURE CONDUCT

Through discipline comes freedom. – Aristotle

Man must be disciplined, for he is by nature raw and wild. – Immanuel Kant

The person who masters himself through self-control and discipline is truly undefeatable. – Buddha

Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage. – Thucydides

There will have to be rigid and iron discipline before we achieve anything great and enduring, and that discipline will not come by mere academic argument and appeal to reason and logic. Discipline is learnt in the school of adversity. – Mahatma Gandhi

At around 20:42 today (04 May 2024), I found myself stuck for about ten minutes at North Greenwich Station on the Jubilee Line, heading to my home at West Ham Station, due to some disruptions there. During this time, I was absorbed in reading Walter Isaacson's biography of Benjamin Franklin. In one of the initial chapters, as Franklin was sailing back from London to Philadelphia, he composed a “Plan for Future Conduct” detailing how he intended to govern his behaviour. This section included the four rules he had set for himself.

At that moment, a thought struck me. Why shouldn't I draft a set of personal rules that I must follow at any cost?

Although I generally dislike being constrained by rules or regulations, thinking they might limit my potential, I realized there was a difference to be made. I resist rules imposed by others, but I am comfortable setting my guidelines.

When I reflected on what my ‘Plan for Future Conduct’ might look like, I outlined several principles that resonated with me:

i. Adopting Frugality. This principle was directly inspired by Franklin’s teachings. I believe that a man of principles and integrity handles money with care and caution. His social value is often gauged by his relationship with money. Although I view the invention of money as humanity’s greatest error, we are now inevitably bound by its existence.

ii. Being Truthful in All Communications. Whether written or spoken, I aim to express exactly what I think, see, and desire, in the manner I choose. Truth is and will be my guiding force, my Article of Faith, even if it risks angering others or straining relationships.

iii. Speaking Ill of No One: Criticism, when necessary, should be delivered constructively and respectfully. Trying to avoid disrespectful remarks and focus on fostering positive communication.

iv. Wearing clothes that cover my entire body. This is a personal standard, not one I impose on others, and it simply feels right to me, though I have less rationale for it.

v. Living in the Present: I commit to wholeheartedly practising Shri Krishna’s teaching of Nishkam Karma Yoga. This practice of detachment from the outcomes of actions has profoundly aided me in my personal growth.

vi. Using calendars, reminders, and deadlines to keep myself on track. Being very specific and particular about time.

vii. Giving more than taking. Whatever task, I may indulge in, I will always strive to give 10x more than my consumption adhering to the principle of maintaining balance. Preferring renunciation over indulgence.

viii. Practicing Silence. As we call it in Hinduism, doing Maun Sadhna. Speaking more than necessary does decrease your value and makes you socially annoying personality.

ix. Service of the poor and weak is a service of Shri Hari Vishnu. The biggest and strongest guiding force of my life. 

These principles are not comprehensive, but they reflect my thoughts at the moment. I am writing this at 00:03 on May 5th, 2024, to convey the urgency of my reflections. This record serves to capture my current mindset. Over time, I plan to experiment with, rewrite, and refine these principles.

Additionally, the quotes above serve as personal reminders of the wisdom great individuals from our species have left us to follow.

Shubh Ratri, Mitron!