Growth and Discipline: Manly Hall

This is another post quoting excerpts from one of the lectures of Manly Hall:

"Growth in this world is the gradual control of the elements which make up living."

"Growth is the individual putting himself in order, on purpose."

"As we grow, the challenge grows with us."

"Growth for each person is his own next step."

"The next step for each person is the correction of the most glaring fault.  And the individual is the one most able to say what that is."

"We graduate from school the slave of mental processes but with no skill in how to change ourselves."

"Physical discipline can be achieved through practice, dedication, and continuity of effort.  But as to disciplining our emotional or mental character, we are at a loss.  We feel we must kill off our faults by brute force."

"Discipline is not whipping yourself or gritting your teeth.  You cannot nag yourself into a state of grace."

"Discipline is a striving for balance, a matter of not permitting any excess.  We must develop a placidity of nature.  To keep a certain distance."

"We must begin to grow where we are, and we must grow in a manner that does not cause us to become fanatical."

"We should listen to learn rather than to criticize."

"Placidity is the power to gently accept a situation without becoming emotionally involved, but staying alert to all of its aspects."

"Emotional outbursts are escapes that are useful to the individual who has no better way to use his energy.  It lets off steam."

"The individual who is not using his own energy intelligently has to have these emotional outbursts to let off steam."

"All energetic control arises from insight about your own abilities.  You must know that you have outgrown emotional hysteria, not that you have outlawed it."

"If an individual is placid, then nature finds him the most plastic instruments to achieve her own purpose."

"Nature is not interested in our economic or industrial development.  Nature is only interested in our development as human beings.  And when we serve Nature's ends, she rewards us with her finest gifts: health, happiness, contentment, and freedom from stress, doubt, and worry."