Wondering what Self Cultivation is?

This blog will serve as a simple breakdown of what it is, who it is for, and the three cornerstones you can implement it in your own life. If you are a visual learner, I recommend watching this video:

To begin, self-cultivation is a practice that assumes that the self is created or cultivated, and exists as a flower does in a garden or a crop in a plot of land. It assumes that the self is grown, and more importantly, it leans on the crops or the flowers around it, building a community for the greater good of humanity.

Self cultivation supports itself on three key cornerstones:

1. The Mind - master the mind

2. The Self - cultivate the self

3. The Soul - align with the soul

   
   

What is The Mind and How Can I Master It?

When we think about the mind, we have to view it as the innate software that is programmed into every human, even those who don't have consciousness.

The mind is a submissive being, which means it must sow itself to something. If you are unable to master your own mind, then someone else or something else will master it for you. Your mind will become a slave to that thing or person, and you will feel the aftereffects of not having your own mind in control.

In modern society, this is all too common, with addictions reaching out through our screens and packs, with emotions bleeding from every simple interaction. If we do not control our own minds, that will be reflected in who we are, how we view ourselves, and how we feel.

Another thing to note is that the physical body is not one of the three cornerstones of self-cultivation. And that is because it lies under mastery of the mind. The body is a reflection of how one self can control the mind. it is a display of one's own will of the mind. A strong body represents a strong mind. A weak body means a weak mind.

What is The Self and How Can I "Cultivate" Myself?

Neither the farmers or the citizens care for the imagination of a seed. This is the same case with us as individuals and selves as members of humanity. If we are unable to cultivate the self, then it doesn't matter the idea that we have cultivated in our mind of the self.

In order to cultivate the self really, we must go out and grow as individuals. This, of course, means intellectually and mentally, but also it means socially, with our family, with our friends; essentially, what we give back to others.

Because the self is more than just one being. It's a cohesive tie between shared members of a society. We borrow ourselves and our identities from people we look up to, and additionally, we are reflected in those who love us, whether we know it or not.

However, in order to grow and cultivate that seed, one must go out into the world and not in a little greenhouse you've built in your bedroom.

What is The Soul and How Can I Align With My Soul?

The practice of self cultivation assumes that there is an innate soul in all of us. In fact, I say with certainty that there is a soul in all of us. That soul has been, and will continue to stay on Earth longer than our consciousness does.

We can describe the soul as a gentle whisper that provides guidance on what is meant for an individual to do, what they're meant to pursue, who they're meant to be, and how they're meant to act. It is a dominating force that has hid itself behind a giant curtain. It's very difficult to hear, and even more difficult to understand.

In fact, we may never be able to understand the soul, what it is, or how it operates. What we can do instead is train ourselves to listen to the soul & arrange our lives in congruence with what it's asking of us.

To many, the soul is reflected in various terms such as intuition or conscience. The soul provides free consultations to anyone who is willing to hear.

Many people unknowingly ignore it. And when the soul's ignored, it doesn't write back. The soul does not double text. The soul will not be made a fool of. It is only willing to share its secrets with those who are willing to listen. For that reason, it's always open to sharing its guidance.

An important aspect of self-cultivation is training oneself to listen to the soul.

Is Self Cultivation For You?

Self cultivation is a very difficult journey.

And truthfully, it may not be the most rewarding in terms of money, fame, prestige, and other superficial desires, but I think anyone willing to accept the path to self-cultivation can see for themselves that the reward and the value do not lie in what can be achieved in the future, but what is achieved given the singular decision in the moment.

That will carry day-to-day & be shared with the flowers and crops that are cultivating themselves around us.

Humans are lagging. Despite being the most aware and intelligent species, we are far behind plants that don't even have brains; plants that naturally carry on this path of self-cultivation just by existing.

By making the intentional decision of joining self cultivation or cultivating oneself by mastering the mind, cultivating the self, of course, and aligning with the soul, then one - for the first time in their life - is giving themselves freedom to be who they are, do what they're meant to do, and simply exist for the purpose of life, rather than for greed, lust, or any other vicious desires.

I hope that we can build a community around this practice and around this mindset.

Peace & love.