Master Life Lesson: The most rewarding lessons in life are those we learn, practice, teach, and master within ourselves. (Tweet this.)
Mastery is one of those lessons that I am grateful to have stumbled upon, at this stage in my life. The artful practice is one that an individual consciously has to become accountable of discovering for themselves.
No one can direct you to it, you must become the director of your own fate.
As Adrienne, over at AdrienneSmith.net so well put it, it’s “being in control of your own destiny.”
Mastery demands each seeker of it to be patience with its process for their lives. If they don’t have any patience, they shouldn’t worry too much; mastery is a great teacher. The seeker will eventually learn, sooner than later, how to wait for the rewards that only mastery can deliver.
The process of mastery is a daily practice, and continual improvements, is not an option or up for much debate. Choices and decisions are made with intention, and the life of the seeker becomes devoted to serving others.
“The purpose of influence is to “speak up for those who have no influence.” (Pr.31:8) It’s not about you.” ~ Rick Warren
So let’s dig a little deeper into mastery, shall we?
What is this Mastery, anyway?
Well, in my search for more clarity on the topic, I uncovered a few different meanings. Below are three of them.
According to Dictionary.com it is defined as being:
- Superiority or victory: mastery over one’s enemies.
- Expert skilled or knowledgeable.
- The state of being a master; power of command or self-control. (Personally, I loved this one!)
Master Mindfulness
Recently, I began reading Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book, “Where ever you go, There You Are,” which is located in the “Stay Sharpened” section, in the right sidebar. You remember him, don’t you? I shared a quote from an article of his a few months ago.
Here’s that quote,
(Mindfulness is) “Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgementally.”
In my reading, I was able to reach another conclusion that seems to fit in perfectly with the flow of the past few post here at RMT.
Mindfulness is the cornerstone of mastery. (Tweet this.)
Any would be master of their art, craft, or skill is fully aware of six key principles.
The first key was mention by one of the Tribemates of the tribe I started over on Triberr called “The Master Life Group,” Dr. Alice Chan. She, Adrienne, and a few others (who will be included in future parts of the series) shared their insights here on the “The Year of Mastery” post, back in the beginning of the year.
I too, believe what Alice mentioned, is an essential key of mastery. I believe it’s also the foundation on which RMT is built. It’s the first one on the following list.
The Six Key Principles of Mastery
- Master (or, know) thyself
- Vision
- Purpose
- Creative tension
- Commitment to living in one’s truth
- Understanding the mind on a conscious and subconscious level
Why these six key principles?
- We must become masters of who we are, and accept who we are without any reservations. When we know who we are, we know what we are likely to do, and how we will likely react to certain situations. It’s especially imperative that we know our individual strengths, talents, and gifts.
- We must have a clear vision of where we want to go, who we desire to become, and how we plan to get there. Masters are passionate about carrying out their vision. We must be too. Otherwise, we are sleepwalking through life. More than likely, attempting to correct or recreate an experience from the past that no longer exist, or planning a future that will never arrive.
- T.D. Jakes loans us a great quote for the third principle. He said, “Discover what you are passionate about. Your passion will lead you to your purpose.” Purpose is a vital key to mastery. It drives us to improve upon our skill, trade, craft, or simply ourselves.
- We must learn the power of not judging where we are on in the process to mastery. Oftentimes, every adverse condition or obstacles we face are the doorstoppers of creative tension. They inspire our creativity and open the doors for other opportunities; they will ensure that we keep growing.
- We must develop a commitment to truth, and let us not forget to use discernment and intuition in perceiving what that truth is. Truth will liberate us to know our worth and value, leaving us less prone to worry about the process, and more equipped to concentrate on what we need to be focusing on.
- As I mentioned before, mindfulness is the cornerstone of mastery. If we are to become seekers of mastery, it would also benefit us to be practitioners of being more conscious. I have found that learning to meditate properly extremely useful on this journey to enlightenment. I’m not suggesting that meditating is for everyone. It’s more important that we ensure that we identify, understand, and be forgiving of our daily habits. Be more observant of the ”why’s” behind what we do when we do them.
Mastery isn’t easy. It takes a lot of self-discipline.
“Self-disciplined begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don’t control what you think, you can’t control what you do. Simply, self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward.”
~ Napoleon Hill
In future parts of this series, I will be sharing the different forms of mastery, the enemies of mastery, the most powerful force we have available to us to keep us on the path to greatness, and so much more.
I hope you will join me on the other three parts in the coming weeks. Until then, let’s make 2013 the best year of mastery yet. I wish you all (as well as myself) the best. Cheers and Blessings.
Over to you,
What are your contributions about the topic of mastery? Please share your thoughts, insights, or any personal experiences you might have in the section provided below. You never know if what you have to contribute will help someone else on their journey.
Thank you in advance.
If you are new here at RMT and enjoyed this post, consider having Releasing Me Today sent to your email or RSS feed for updates. I also encourage you to signup for the empowering newsletter that gets sent out every Wednesday there’s something pressing I want to share with you. Let me inspire you to embrace your YOU-niqueness!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Dearest Deone,
I loved this post! But then I love everything you write.
Self-mastery is the only way to make lasting change. I have been on this path for quite some time and my transformation has thus far been astounding, and will, no doubt, continue to be.
I had a “friend” disconnect with me this week, and when I followed up with her to see why, she told me she thought I was artificial. I was completely taken aback and at first I was even hurt. But then I took a deep breath and cleared it all out.
I realised that was just a test. So, I chose to pass it. I know who I am. I am always authentic, especially in a vulnerable moment. I always lead with love, kindness and compassion. And I never judge.
This was all about her. And I have no control over that. I will not let someone else’s actions or perceptions hold me back from being who I choose to be.
I am on my right path. And I am walking in the sunshine. Wherever I go, HERE I AM.
Always sending Love & Light. xo
Hey Shelley,
Thank you for such a humbling compliment. I’m delighted to know you enjoyed the post. You are such a inspiration and encouragement to me as well.
It’s unfortunate when we run into those types of situations. I have had a few of them myself. I used to try to make sense of why someone I considered to be a friend would disassociate themselves after taking notice of the changes I was undergoing in my life. I no longer try to make sense of something I can’t begin to understand. I figure, if people are meant to be apart of my life, they will be. No one should have to jump through hoops to keep someone in their life. They will accept me whether I’m growing or not.
I think you are very authentic. Even though we have yet to meet in person, I am always moved by your genuineness. You made the right decision. Your “friend” obviously didn’t want to see your light, and instead chose to not to be real and upfront with you.
As long as you feel you are on the right path, that’s all that matters. Stay true to you, and keep on shining. Keep up the awesomeness, sweetie. The right people will always show themselves. Even as the wrong ones make their exit. Be YOU, boo.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..Nature’s Call to Mastery
Wonderful post, Deone!
You’ve summed it up all so well that I haven’t left with much to say. I feel there’s no age for the lesson of mastery in life. I believe when we walk the path to discover ourselves, we should try more to lose control of ourselves, and instead be free and flexible to be guided by our intuition and inner power. Let things happen, don’t try to force them.
You’re right, patience and perseverance is the key. One more important aspect that helps us master ourselves is non-attachment. This is powerful. You detach or disassociate yourself with anything and everything. You do not depend on anything, and any change in anything doesn’t disturb you. If you reach that stage, then you’re free. If you’re free, then you’re a master.
I think mastery is all about achieving freedom, from our dependency and bondage. Mindfulness really helps us be that. I really like your six key principles and your explanation of them. I couldn’t have said it better.
Good thoughtful reading, Deone, thanks for making all the efforts to write the post.
Harleena Singh recently posted this awesomeness..How to Solve Love Problems in Marriage
I’m glad to read you enjoyed the post as well, Harleena. As always, enjoyed reading your remarkable thoughts on the topic.
At first, when I began reading your comment, I must admit, I almost found myself disagreeing with the part where you said, “…we should try more to lose control of ourselves…,”. You bought me back after I continued reading. Yes, we do need to be more free and flexible on our path to mastery, this is very true. I think self-control and self-discipline is somewhat a thin line between those two, being free and flexible. What do you think?
I understand what you mean in the next parts of your comment, though. I couldn’t agree with you more.
I believe environment plays a huge role in how we go about mastering ourselves. For instance, I didn’t grow up having the propitious conditions that would have given me a chance to become a master. Frankly, because of where I was born, and to whom, I was seen statistically as not being likely to succeed. Even though I graduated on time with my high school class, I often find myself wondering how this was the case. There is so much I didn’t know. I know this now, because over the last two years I’ve learned more than I’ve ever learned in my entire life of schooling. I became dependent on what other people said to me and about me. Even though they weren’t speaking the right things towards me. Not complaining, just using that as a illustration of my point here.
How does someone get to the point where they detach and disassociate themselves from “anything and everything?” This is where I am now on my journey… I know what it took for me, but it may take different routes for others who are in similar situations that I was in. I feel a conviction to serve “them,” but I don’t always know how to reach “them.” Any thoughts?
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..Discernment: The Truth Finder
A fabulous summary of what mastery is all about. Until we get control of our inside world-the thoughts and feelings that come up for us, we’re always going to be projecting our need, albeit unconsciously, out into the world.
Personally, taming my thoughts and changing my state at will has been easier than practicing the art of patience. I ‘ve spent my life being in a hurry to move forward so meditation and acceptance has been a key part of my evolution and I ‘ve had to let go of the controls and trust in something more in order to get self control if you know what I mean.
Kath Roberts recently posted this awesomeness..Career Mistakes Cost Us-The Secret To Finding Soulful Work
Thank you, Kath! It’s wonderful reading you here as well, my friend.
I agree wholeheartedly with you. I was constantly attracting people who saw something in me that I didn’t know I was portraying. I was “sleepwalking” through life. It wasn’t until seven years ago, that I began to notice what was occurring, that I made the necessary corrections to my course. I understand exactly what you mean when you say you “spent your life being in a hurry to move forward.” To be honest with you, I’m still there a little, but like you, meditation and acceptance is assisting me with being more observant about the hear and now. There is still much room for improvement, but knowing that is a part of the process has made the journey more worthwhile for me.
Thanks for the great contribution to the discussion. It’s a wonderful addition.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..Expect the Best to Come From Life’s Changes
Great initiative you are undertaking, Deone. Look forward to it unfolding more, as those 6 principles are definitely keys to a more purpose-filled life. Grateful for your efforts and initiatives. Jon
Jon Mertz recently posted this awesomeness..Perseverance – No Matter How You Spell It
Thank you, Jon! I appreciate that, mate. It’s an ongoing life project that I am really dedicated to fulfilling within myself. Not only for myself, but for those who are in similar situations as the one I grew up being apart of. I know the way I thought back then, so I won’t to learn how to teach others an escape route as well. I believe we are only products of our environment when we do nothing to change them.
I am truly grateful as well… for your support and encouraging words. They mean more than you know, my friend. Thank you. Blessings.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..An Awakening Experience and Yet Another Lesson Learned
Beautiful post. I’m looking forward to the series. You do realize this is a TED talk, right?
Thank you so much, Emelia! I hope it doesn’t disappoint you.
That’s a huge compliment too! I would love to one day be able to give a TED talk… who knows? Maybe it will be on mastery. 
One never knows where the path may lead. Right? 
Thanks again, my friend. Blessings.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..Are You Living an Adventure?
Thanks Deone!
What a subject to take on and you’ve done a yeoman’s job of it.
I kind of feel that mastery is beyond my reach. It seems as soon as I learn one thing 5 others result from my studies. Then, in attacking those 5 I’m again faced with 20 more, it is truly exponential. The internet has been a real blessing in making so much information available but it is overwhelming at times.
Dick Ingersoll recently posted this awesomeness..Create Effective Positive Affirmations for Success
I understand perfectly what you mean, Dick! Originally, I wanted to present this series at the beginning of the month. It quickly came to my attention that the topic of mastery is too big to combine into one single post — let alone a series. So I postponed it the presentation for a week to skim through the most important pointers. Even then, I noticed a lot of the important parts were being left out. However, I am a man of my word. So I figured I would get as much as I could out over the next few weeks, and include the rest in the book project I’ve been working on. I believe it will fit perfectly in that project.
Nonetheless, you’re very welcome. Thank you for the truly humbling compliment. I really appreciate it. It’s very encouraging to read. Blessings.
Deone,
Getting here late…but better late than never, right? I’m honored to be mentioned in your great post here. You outlined well what mastery is all about, and I look forward to the rest of the series! Also love how mindfulness fits in here. I love “Wherever You Go There You Are” also.
I think that mastering oneself includes a commitment to growing always, and to being open and honest about our humanness, rather than thinking that “mastering” ourselves means we become “super-human.” It involves unconditional self-acceptance, as we continue to remove the conditioning we’ve acquired over the course of our lives that obscures our true selves. As we remove more of the conditioning, the more we know our true selves.
Thank you for the love you put into this great topic and series.
Best,
Alice
Alice Chan recently posted this awesomeness..Have It All!
You are right on time, Alice!
You, or anyone else for that matter, can never be late here!
I am appreciative whenever anyone takes the time out of their busy schedule’s to share any additional insights, thoughts, or questions with me and the other readers on any of the posts! I am most grateful for the contribution!
You’re welcome for the mention as well. Thank you for the original thoughts you added to last months post here.
Pure awesomeness! I’m thrilled to know that you’ve already read Dr. Kabat-Zinn’s book! It’s amazing isn’t it?! Although, I’m only halfway through it myself, it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I will definitely be going back to it quite often. He has such a way of making mindfulness and meditation understandable for the beginner mediator. Even if someone wasn’t necessarily reading it for meditation purposes, they would be given a magnificent foundation of being more present minded. I’ve been taking my time so that I can soak up all the wisdom he pours upon every last page thus far!
I still find myself in pure amazement at how each book I’ve chosen over the last two years seems to be a divine curriculum of sorts. It almost seems as though, they were chosen for me, instead of me choosing them. It’s funny how it has worked out at times.
I also totally agree with you on the rest of your thoughts here, in it’s entirety! Especially, us not confusing mastering ourselves with being “super human.” If fact, I will be discussing that somewhat in the next part of the series entitled, “The Enemies of Mastery.” I think it’s going to be a different approach on the topic, but a well received one, nonetheless. It’s funny that you mentioned it in your thoughts here.
Great minds, my friend… Great minds!
Thanks for sharing even more awesomeness on the topic, my friend. As well as your compliment. Gratitude and Blessings.
Hey Deone,
I’m late too getting over here but better late then never right!
Ah, thank you for mentioning me too my friend. I really appreciate that and that I’ll be included even more in this series which you know I think is fabulous. But then again, everything you do is fabulous. Yeah, I’m prejudice so what can I say.
Let’s see, do I have anything to add to this already perfect post! Okay, I’ll just say to what you mentioned earlier that I do believe we are all in control of our own destiny. We are all masters in our own right forming the path to our own success. With each new day we take the steps to bring us closer to the things we want to achieve and the direction we want to go.
As you mentioned that you’ll be going over the different forms of mastery then we can always dig down deeper to understand how this all falls into place. I’m looking forward to it.
Thank you Deone again for an amazing post and you enjoy your week.
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted this awesomeness..Marketing Tips the Walking Dead Could Teach You about Blogging
Hey there Adrienne!
Like I told Alice, you can never be late here, my friend. Your presence is always right on time. I’m simply appreciative that you stopped by and shared your thoughts on this part of the series.
Your validating thoughts to the series are most appropriate. I’m delighted you allowed me to use them in this way. I’m completely humbled and grateful that you think my work is fabulous. Coming from you, that’s quite the compliment. Thank you beloved.
It’s so easy to look at where we are in life, thinking we aren’t any closer than we’ve been before. However, what you said here is so true, each step we take is bringing us closer and closer to our desired destination. We only need to continue making progress, and keep believing that the Beloved is going to bring us to where we need to be.
Just like the anticipated parts of the rest of this series, as long as we keep digging deeper, getting to know ourselves better and better each day — we will get there. Wherever “there” is for us.
Thank you for the well wishes as well. It’s always a pleasure to read you here, my friend. May you have a most wonderful week as well. Cheers and Blessings.
Very inspiring article. I agree with the principels you talked about in it. Furthermore, I really believe that, as Napoleon said, the first stepping stone towards self-disciplined is the master of your thoughts. After that you can continue to take control of pretty much eevrything that is going on in your life. It’s all about the attidute with which you embrace life. You should accept the things you cannot change and have the courage and vision to change those that you can. You and only you can be the master of your own life and there is nothing that others can do about it. Only if you let them. Looking forward to another great article.
Thank you, Dan! I appreciate your reading the message and sharing your thoughts on it with me.
I agree with you, self-discipline begins within our thoughts. The moment we get a hold of them, everything else sort of falls right in line from there. I am not suggesting that none of it is easy, but with effort and practice it is doable. Acceptance is also a huge step we must take, if we are to make a succession of changes in our lives. We shouldn’t spend time focusing our energies where there isn’t going to be a return in placing our efforts. Defeat can only occur when we give up fighting for what we want.
Thanks for the awesome contribution to the series, mate. I hope you will check out the other parts, as well. Cheers and blessings.