Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
Mahatma Gandhi
Will is the function by which we direct and sustain our attention, imagination, and actions toward a given goal.
--The directing is not a forced effort. It is simply the decision to attend to one element and not a different one. The decision is enacted via the selection of a single thought, image, energy tone, or action. This selection directs our attention.
--The sustaining is the reiteration of our original direction. We can sustain the will by affirming our affirmation statement whenever we think of the subject.
Techniques for using will.
Design-work. When quitting smoking we focus our attention on the freshness in our lungs, the delight in experiencing clean air, the pleasurable sensations of a healthy body, the pristine scent of our clothes, and the serenity when we are not over stimulated by nicotine.
--Affirmation. "I enjoy breathing fresh air", "My lungs feel healthy and strong".
--Directed imagination. We visualize ourselves in situations without a cigarette. We visualize healthy lungs. We see ourselves exercising with vigor and confidence.
--Modeling. We act as if we are a nonsmoker. We do not possess cigarettes. We do not spend time in places such as bars where we would tend to smoke.
We enhance our awareness of our intuition. Intuition is essential in the use of will:
--Intuition suggests the goal toward which our will is to be directed.
--Intuition is the means by which we are aware of the dynamics of spirit. We experience the dynamics as our desire or motivation to commit a particular act, then we engage our will to focus our attention upon the act.
--Intuition suggests the elements for our design-work. It can recommend a particular statement to be used in affirmation.
--Intuition reveals the conflicting drives, and it suggests means for resolving them. While our human self may desire its stated goal in contrast to the conflicting impulses, the true self appreciates the entire dynamic of the situation, the need for the exploration of designs and the need of existing elements to discharge their charge. Intuition assists us to attain our desired goal.
We can strive to be more aware of the dynamics of the will. What is happening psychologically when we will to close our eyes, or cross our legs?
--What is the source of this impulse to act?
--How do we decide whether to enact the impulse?
--Do we make the decision consciously and willfully, or do we default to a habitual response?
--How do we enact the impulse? What is the series of thoughts and actions by which the impulse is acted out?
