Re: Will and willpower

["Luca Provenza <basim326@...>" <basim326@...>]

I've been there - I think it's fairly rare that anyone actually never 
misses an exercise when they're beginning. As for your question, I've 
never really differentiated between Will and will; my reasoning is 
that whether you're trying to exert control over the universe or just 
trying to stay awake long enough to reach your bed, it's still an act 
involving strength of will. It's just that magic is more impressive, 
that's all. I've always interpreted "magical will" as "the intended 
effect," if that helps.

And, lastly, whenever I fell off the wagon, I just forced myself to 
keep going. It's anticlimactically simple, but eventually, the 
exercises will become habit.

This is, like usual, pretty inarticulate, but I hope it helps either 
way.

- Basim

--- In BardonPraxis@yahoogroups.com, "Regulus Magus" 
<RegulusMagus@h...> wrote:
> Is there a difference between magical Will and old-fashioned, 
> stick-to-your-diet willpower? In my experience the latter is 
closely related 
> to things such as motivation, self-talk and various behavioral 
techniques 
> (such as rewarding yourself for making progress). Or perhaps 
motivation, 
> self-talk, etc., are just crutches for a weak will? I am unclear 
what the 
> former kind of Will is however. Can anyone suggest some examples 
that would 
> distinguish the two?
> 
> Also, I am having trouble using whatever willpower I have 
consistently. As I 
> round out my second month on the very first part of step 1 I find 
that I am 
> having trouble with my persistence (frankly the exercises are 
boring the 
> heck out of me). I fall off the practice wagon, I get back on, I 
fall off 
> again (well you get the picture). I suppose the simplest advice 
that might 
> be offered to someone such as myself is to get back on the wagon 
one more 
> time than I fall off. :-) Nevertheless, I mustn't be the only 
student in 
> history who has had trouble sticking to the practice routine. Does 
anyone 
> have any suggestions for this repentant sinner? ;-)
> 
> Sincerely, /RM/
> 
> 
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