Way of The Seekers — Page 110
110 THE wasted. These fourteen items would help strengthen willpower so that it can control feelings and emotions, but it is necessary to ponder over them fully and deeply. 4. The fourth measure to strengthen the will and to remove the obstacle in its way is to launch an all out attack on the very first day against the fault that has to be got rid of. When an army attacks, it starts the attack in full strength. The same should be done in fighting an evil. One’s full strength should be employed against the evil that has to be vanquished. 5. One should cultivate the habit of practicing the virtue which one is seeking to acquire; and should cultivate the opposite of that which one seeks to discard. For instance, if one is apt to lose one’s temper one should cultivate urbanity. 6. The habit of thinking and reflection should be cultivated and haste should be eschewed. This would provide a safeguard against evil habits. Such habits take advantage of haste and retreat before reflection and deliberation. 7. When it is resolved to do or not to do something, all the pros and cons should be deliberated upon systematically so that a complete picture is impressed upon the mind. This would facilitate the doing of that which is desired and the discarding of that which should be eschewed. 8. Occasionally that which is lawful and desirable should be voluntarily given up so that the habit of acting against his wishes may be cultivated. For instance, a person who suffers from the habit of stealing and is unable to discard it, should on occasion refrain from that which is lawful and desirable. He should sometimes keep awake when he wants to sleep, or abstain from eating something he much desires to eat. In this way he will strengthen his will. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) has said: I learnt to recognize God through the repeated frus- tration of my resolves.