Mastering Dopamine Urges - Monk Explains What Successful People Do Right

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the speaker explores the concept of discipline and self-denial as a path to spiritual growth. Drawing from personal experiences and philosophical debates with a friend, the conversation delves into the purpose of life as per the Bhagavad Gita and the practice of 'tapa' or self-restraint. The speaker emphasizes the importance of transcending immediate pleasures to attain higher levels of satisfaction and the role of discipline in shaping a strong mind. The talk also touches on the influence of culture and upbringing on habits, advocating for the integration of dharmic principles in societal practices to foster a more connected and resilient community.

Takeaways

• 🧘 The speaker discusses the concept of discipline and self-denial, drawing parallels with martial arts training and the teachings of figures like Joe Rogan and David Goggins.
• 🤔 The friend, Zaran Banha, poses a philosophical question about the existence of pleasures if we are meant to avoid them, sparking a debate on the purpose of life and discipline.
• 🙏 The Bhagavad Gita is mentioned as a source of wisdom on the topic of discipline, suggesting that internal discomfort can be a tool for spiritual growth.
• 🍰 The speaker's personal journey involves giving up alcohol and parties, and embracing a disciplined lifestyle, which has positively impacted their spiritual journey.
• 🔄 The idea of 'tapa' or 'tapasa' from Sanskrit is introduced, which means to give heat or pain to the mind and senses, aligning with the practice of self-denial for spiritual development.
• 👀 The senses are described as constantly seeking out pleasurable objects, and the practice of spirituality involves rising above the attachment and aversion to these sensory experiences.
• 🍽️ The concept of 'vairagya' or detachment from sensory objects is discussed, suggesting that by denying the senses their usual pleasures, one can experience higher forms of pleasure.
• 💪 The importance of reconditioning one's tastes and desires is emphasized, comparing it to the process of developing a taste for alcohol or cigarettes.
• 👶 The speaker believes that instilling discipline from childhood is crucial, as it helps in developing the ability to resist temptations and maintain control over one's life.
• 🌐 The script touches on the cultural shift towards Western influences and the impact on traditional Indian values, suggesting a need to reintegrate dharmic principles in cultural expressions.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The final takeaway is a call to preserve the binding factors of Indian society, such as spirituality and Dharma, to prevent the disintegration of social fabric and maintain a transformational, rather than transactional, culture.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video script?

The main topic of discussion in the video script is the concept of discipline, self-denial of pleasures, and the spiritual journey as per the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

Who are the individuals mentioned as role models for discipline in the script?

Joe Rogan and David Goggins are mentioned as role models for discipline in the script.

What is the term 'Chaddy buddy' referring to in the script?

The term 'Chaddy buddy' is a colloquial term used in the script to refer to a friend who is a renunciant or someone who has given up worldly pleasures.

What does the speaker suggest is a key benefit of denying oneself occasional pleasures?

The speaker suggests that denying oneself occasional pleasures can strengthen the mind and is a skill that should be taught to children.

How does the speaker relate martial arts to discipline?

The speaker relates martial arts to discipline by stating that taking up martial arts instills discipline on a core level, focusing on technique and weight category, which involves denying oneself of laziness.

What is the purpose of life according to the Bhagavad Gita as discussed in the script?

According to the Bhagavad Gita, as discussed in the script, the purpose of life is to create internal fortitude through discipline and self-denial of pleasures.

What is the term 'tapa' in Sanskrit, and what does it signify in the context of the script?

In Sanskrit, 'tapa' signifies heat or pain given to the mind and senses. In the context of the script, it refers to the practice of self-discipline and self-denial that generates spiritual heat or transformation.

What is the concept of 'Vishaya' in the Bhagavad Gita as explained in the script?

The concept of 'Vishaya' in the Bhagavad Gita refers to objects of sense gratification that the senses are naturally drawn to for pleasure, such as sight to form, taste to flavor, etc.

What is the significance of the term 'Vairagya' in the spiritual context of the script?

The term 'Vairagya' signifies detachment or the retirement of the senses from their natural engagement with objects for pleasure, which is a key aspect of spiritual practice as per the script.

How does the speaker describe the transition from indulging in sense pleasures to a spiritual life?

The speaker describes the transition as a process of reconditioning, where one experiences higher spiritual pleasures that enable them to say no to lower sense pleasures, similar to how one might find certain tastes distasteful after experiencing a higher form of satisfaction.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of discipline in childhood for future generations?

The speaker believes that instilling discipline in childhood is crucial for the future generations to save them from losing control over their minds and lives, and to help them develop the ability to say no to temptations and pleasures.

Outlines

00:00

🧘‍♂️ The Journey of Discipline and Self-Denial

The speaker introduces the concept of discipline and self-denial as a path to spiritual growth. Drawing from personal experiences and the influence of figures like Joe Rogan and David Goggins, the speaker emphasizes the importance of discipline in personal development. The discussion includes the idea of denying oneself of immediate pleasures for long-term benefits, as well as the practice of martial arts as a form of discipline. The speaker also touches on the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on the purpose of life, suggesting that internal discomfort can be a positive force for creating discipline and furthering one's spiritual journey.

05:03

🍽️ Detachment and the Spiritual Significance of Tapasya

This paragraph delves into the concept of tapa or tapasya, which is the practice of self-discipline and penance in the pursuit of spiritual goals. The speaker explains how the senses are constantly seeking pleasure, and the practice of spirituality involves rising above the dualities of attachment and aversion. The speaker uses the metaphor of 'retiring' the senses from their natural engagement with sensory objects to achieve a state of detachment. The discussion also includes the idea of 'vishaya vritti,' which is the process of redirecting one's attachment from personal pleasure to serving a higher purpose, such as pleasing the divine.

10:04

🚫 Overcoming Temptations and the Power of Discrimination

The speaker discusses the challenges of overcoming temptations and the importance of making discerning choices in life. The paragraph explores the idea that discipline and the ability to say 'no' to lower pleasures are essential for spiritual growth. The speaker uses the metaphor of a diabetic denying themselves sugar to illustrate the concept of 'vritti,' or stopping the senses from indulging in sensory objects. The paragraph also touches on the transformative power of spiritual experiences, which can recondition one's tastes and desires, leading to a natural aversion to lower pleasures.

15:05

🌱 Cultivating Discipline and the Role of Association

In this paragraph, the speaker emphasizes the importance of cultivating discipline and the role of association with positive influences. The discussion revolves around the idea that discipline is not just a choice but a necessity for self-control and mental strength. The speaker suggests that the best time to develop discipline is during childhood and highlights the negative impact of indulging in substances like alcohol and drugs. The speaker also stresses the need to reintegrate dharmic principles into cultural expressions to create a more balanced and spiritually connected society.

20:07

🤔 Reflections on Culture and the Importance of Spiritual Binding

The final paragraph reflects on the impact of cultural practices on family and societal structures. The speaker expresses concern about the erosion of traditional values, such as spirituality and Dharma, which have historically served as the binding factors in Indian society. The speaker fears that without these values, relationships may become transactional and society may lose its transformative potential. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for the younger generation to think deeply about integrating dharmic principles into their lives and cultural celebrations.

Keywords

💡Chaddy buddy

The term 'Chaddy buddy' is a colloquial expression used to describe a friend who is very disciplined and possibly follows a spiritual or religious path. In the video, the speaker mentions his friend as a 'Chaddy buddy' to emphasize his disciplined lifestyle and renunciation of worldly pleasures, which is a central theme in the discussion about the value of self-denial and discipline.

💡Discipline

Discipline refers to the practice of training oneself to follow a code of behavior or a set of rules. In the context of the video, discipline is portrayed as a virtue that strengthens the mind and is essential for personal growth and spiritual development. Examples from the script include the speaker's idols like Joe Rogan and David Goggins, who are described as celebrating discipline and its benefits.

💡Renunciant

A renunciant is a person who has renounced worldly pleasures and material possessions, often in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. The video discusses the renunciant lifestyle as a path to deeper understanding and spiritual growth, with the speaker and his friend both being described as renunciants.

💡Pleasures

Pleasures in the video refer to the sensory delights or enjoyments that one might typically seek in life, such as food, entertainment, or physical sensations. The script explores the idea of denying oneself these pleasures as a means of developing discipline and spiritual strength, with the speaker questioning why they exist if one is meant to avoid them.

💡Bhagwat Gita

The Bhagwat Gita is a 700-verse scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is a conversation between prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, discussing duty, wisdom, and the path to moksha (liberation). In the video, the Bhagwat Gita is used to explain the purpose of life and the concept of internal fortitude through self-denial.

💡Tapa

Tapa, derived from the Sanskrit word meaning 'heat', refers to the practice of penance or self-discipline, often through self-denial or austerity. The script uses the concept of tapa to illustrate the idea of imposing discomfort on oneself to achieve spiritual purification and self-control.

💡Indriya

Indriya refers to the senses in Sanskrit. The video discusses how the senses seek out objects that provide pleasure, and the practice of yoga or spirituality involves rising above the attachment to these sensory pleasures to focus on higher spiritual goals.

💡Vishaya

Vishaya, meaning 'objects of the senses', is used in the script to describe the things that the senses interact with to derive pleasure. The video emphasizes the need to shift one's focus from seeking pleasure in these objects to seeking spiritual fulfillment.

💡Ahar

Ahar refers to the objects of sensory enjoyment, such as food for the tongue or visual stimuli for the eyes. The script discusses the practice of fasting the senses from these objects as a form of discipline and spiritual practice, leading to a change in perspective and detachment from material pleasures.

💡Param

Param, meaning 'higher' or 'supreme', is used in the context of experiencing a higher form of pleasure or understanding that allows one to say 'no' to lower, more mundane pleasures. The video suggests that experiencing higher spiritual pleasures can lead to a natural detachment from materialistic desires.

💡Discrimination

In the video, discrimination refers to the ability to make wise choices and to distinguish between higher and lower pleasures. It is the intellectual faculty that helps one decide whether to indulge in sensory pleasures or to seek higher spiritual fulfillment, as illustrated by the example of the cost of pleasure being compared to the price of a gulab jamun.

💡Satsanga

Satsanga means 'good company' or 'spiritual association' in Sanskrit. The script mentions the importance of associating with positive people who can inspire and guide one towards spiritual growth and self-discipline, which is essential for overcoming temptations and controlling the mind.

Highlights

Debate on philosophy with a well-read friend, Zaran Banha, who shares a similar path of renunciation.

The existence of pleasures questioned in relation to our purpose of avoiding them.

Discipline celebrated by figures like Joe Rogan and David Goggins, who advocate self-denial for mental strength.

Martial arts as a foundation for discipline, influencing one's lifestyle and decision-making.

The personal struggle with denying oneself pleasures for spiritual growth and the associated internal discomfort.

Bhagwat Gita's perspective on life's purpose, possibly related to creating internal fortitude through discomfort.

The concept of tapa or tapasya in Sanskrit, relating to the practice of self-discipline and heat or pain to the mind.

The Bhagwat Gita's teaching on rising above attachment and aversion to sensory objects for spiritual progress.

The idea of changing one's perspective from personal pleasure to pleasing a higher power, exemplified by Krishna.

The practice of 'v' or forced retirement of the senses from their natural engagement with objects for purification.

The spiritual benefits of fasting, not only physical but also in weakening tendencies towards lust and other senses.

The importance of experiencing higher pleasures to gain the strength to say no to lower pleasures.

The story of King Yamaraja, who transitioned from indulgence to spiritual devotion, illustrating the power of reconditioning.

The necessity of reconditioning tastes and pleasures to shift from worldly to spiritual pursuits.

The role of satsanga or association with the righteous in strengthening discipline and self-control.

The impact of a lack of self-control on the stability of individuals and society, likening it to termite-ridden wood.

The importance of instilling discipline and the ability to say no to pleasures from childhood.

The cultural shift towards Western practices in celebration and its potential impact on traditional Indian values.

The fear of the disintegration of the binding factors in Indian society, such as spirituality and Dharma.

The call to reintegrate dharmic principles into cultural expressions to maintain social cohesion.

Transcripts

welcome to TRS Clips where you'll find

happiness through your own

curiosity I have a very dear friend of

mine like he's what you would call a

Chaddy buddy his name is zaran banha

okay and we would H he's a very

intelligent guy very well read and we

would debate on philosophy a lot and

throughout my 20s I said no to parties

gave up nonv gave up alcohol and he's

also actually on the same path he's also

in his core a

renunciant uh so when we debate he used

to say one very interesting point he

said that if we're meant to not go

towards Pleasures why do they exist in

the first place and I'd say I don't know

but uh my Idols which were Joe Rogan

David gogins all these guys who

celebrate discipline they call

themselves disciple of discipline David

Gogan says things like uh you strengthen

your Mind by denying yourself

occasionally and denying yourself is a

skill you need to teach children uh when

I was a kid and I took up martial arts

for the first time now it's become a

part of my breath right to think like a

martial artist but somewhere it

basically gives you discipline on some

core level right hey ensure you make it

to this weight category ensure you get

the technique right you are denying

yourself of losness best decision I made

uh my question is h a a very human level

I have benefited from denying myself of

Pleasures spiritual journey has gone

further uh even when I don't want to

meditate or pray I'll force myself to

meditate and pray and then there's a

positive outcome but that process of

denying yourself it hurts a little bit

on the inside even today after so much

discipline and so much of strictness in

the routine right is the purpose of life

according to the bhagwat Gita to kind of

create that internal disc Fort just a

little bit mhm is that internal

discomfort a good thing M and how do you

know where to draw the line of that

internal discomfort because in many ways

any form of discipline is like whipping

yourself just a little bit you want to

eat that cake you want to waste time you

want to chill and watch TV process of

picking up the remote and switching off

the TV that hurts on the inside so how

do you know how far to take discipline

or should you just make it an infinite

trade and I say that because the 31 year

old in me is trying to make my diet very

boring one because the more boring food

gets the better the body looks and I am

you know Cosmetics based industry but

secondly uh when you detach yourself

from food I feel like you teach your own

brain Detachment in order to detach

yourself from pain as well uh let's talk

about that internal strife right and do

you also feel

that well by krishna's Grace I've been

cooking in the kitchens in Ison for many

years

so I've already cooked almost uh 3.5

million

meals so I make Thai curry for 10,000

people wow so not the most AER of food

but I'm just saying that you asked a

very fantastic question on the

crossroads of transitioning from this

desires to those desires where control

goes into autopilot mode where just yeah

you're hitting the kid inside you just a

little bit right technically in Sanskrit

that word is known as

tapa tapa tapa means tapasa the word

tapa means

Heat giving heat

tap so tapa basically means giving some

pain or heat to our mind and the

senses so there is a verse in gaita

where Krishna

says so the beautiful question which you

just asked the answer for that lies in

this one schloka of bhagat Gita when we

unpack it so vishaya means objects

so when we look at objects people may

think I eat rice I eat Roti the eyes eat

form the eyes are hungry for eating

devouring beautiful

form the eyes are hungry to

avoid ugly

forms like the the food we eat we try to

avoid things which will not taste good

the ears are hungry to taste sound which

we find pleasing like somebody

glorifying me okay I like that by it is

heartening that sound so all our senses

are looking for visha visha means

objects to

eat Eyes Ears Nose like that for the

skin the skin is looking for touch with

another skin that is a sex life life so

therefore this punch

indria the five senses Eyes Ears Nose

tongue and skin they are looking for

corresponding objects to interact with

and through that interaction the

expectation is it should generate

pleasure the tongue when it comes in

touch with rasula pleasurable come comes

in touch with neem juice iswa said oh so

therefore we have Raa which

is pleasure attachment and DHA hate

avoidance so acceptance and avoidance

Raa attachment and DHA hate they are

concomitant they are two sides of the

same

coin so therefore the whole idea of yoga

or practice of

spirituality is to Rise Above This Raa

and DHA and understand that my daily

interactions are not supposed to be

obsessed about whether my eyes get

pleasure or my tongue gets pleasure or

my ears get pleasure my meditation

should be iswar he should get

pleasure so therefore

automatically The Narrative changes so I

see oh this is a beautiful dress

previously I think it will look so good

on me now I start thinking it look so

good on Radha gopinath on Radha Madan

moan on Radha

goind oh this food is so delicious it'll

give me pleasure now I say no no how I

can offer it as bhoga so the Lord will

enjoy so the perspective

changes so that is what is known as

vishaya visha is there rasgula is there

gulab jamun is there V rather than

thinking I will enjoy I start thinking

how can I make this or cook this so that

like Yoda May was feeding Krishna and

pleasing him I want to please Krishna it

is called

we so you

know means

occupation means

retirement we say he has retired

voluntary retirement or permanent

retirement so

means

retirement retiring the engagement of

the senses with the

objects now V means

forcefully V means

Vante by force applying pressure and as

you say giving a little pain to make

that sense retire from the engagement

with the

objects otherwise the eyes are always

engaged eyes are constantly

employed seeing the beautiful form of

the opposite sex so there is no

retirement for the eyes for that but V

means we

impose a retirement that no don't just

keep looking like this with lustful

glances to try to enjoy retire from that

and then look at objects which are

purifying so that is called V

ahar the objects are ahar for the senses

so you fast those

senses start fasting the

senses when you fast for a week you lose

weight when you fast Your Eyes by from

glancing at beautiful you know objects

for sexual pleasure then

gradually that tendency for lust within

weakens so Your Lust within loses

weight like

that means that so you

deny giving those objects to the

senses Ras so when that rasa is stopped

RIT don't allow that Russ you know to

that particular sense so gradually when

you do that you have experienced when

you do that Rasam with respect to your

health so you get health

benefits like that one gets spiritual

benefits

Ras

Ras V to stop to prevent to not allow

those

rasas even though taste is there if

given a chance one would go and enjoy

one would love people to keep glor

glorifying me and keep telling them hey

speak about me speak about me one would

love enjoying sex life with somebody

even though it is not authorized even

though it is crossing the boundary of

Ethics one may have the taste for that

butas I decide no I will not cross the

boundary param means from where that

strength comes to say no when you

experience a higher pleasure

param d means seeing when you see

something higher you are able to say no

to the

lower then because of that when people

practice

spirituality that experience fills them

so much they are filled with spiritual

ahar that they are able to say no to

this other

ahar they are actually able to

retire the engagement of their senses

from those sense object so therefore the

important word in this entire verse

isop right the diabetic has a taste for

eating that sweet but they are stopping

and now they have other Alternatives and

sometimes when you start denying your

tongue of sugar over a period of time

fruits and other vegetables start

appearing very sweet because you start

regaining your natural taste so when the

natural taste is revived then all these

are automatically overcome and therefore

there was a great uh uh King called King

uh yam his name is yamara who was a king

before and as a king he was engaged in

all kinds of sense gratification enjoyed

thoroughly then when he becomes the

great Saint yamara he writes in this

verse where he says that I was engaged

in indulging in all kinds of sex life

before but now after having experienced

the sweetness the sublime experience of

spiritual life of bti of Devotion to

rangat Swami even when I think of sex

life my lips curl in distaste and I spit

at the

thought so therefore it's a matter of

reconditioning like many times when

people they take cigarette young youth

they take cigarette first time they

start cuffing like anything people take

alcohol they find it very very bitter

they can't handle it but over some time

with the kind of Association they have

they get conditioned to those

tastes so that has to be

reconditioned and when you do the

reconditioning this becomes normal and

that becomes abnormal and and and I say

if somebody says this is gulab jamun is

it sweet or not yes is it tasty or not

yes and I say I am giving you this gulab

jamun for a CR rupees want it he says no

are you mad why should I take a gulab

jamun for CR

rupees so the shastras are saying your

obsession with all these sense

objects yes sex life has pleasure but in

return for that pleasure if the price

tag is one

CR for a gulab jamun it's not worth it

so that's the whole idea that nobody is

denying the nobody's saying there is no

pleasure nobody's denying the pleasure

the pleasure is there but we are looking

at grades of pleasure and simultaneously

analyzing concomitant pain one has to go

through for the pleasure which one

experiences because there are no free

lunches in this world for everything you

do you have to pay a tax so as long as

the pizza you're eating in the

restaurant you're enjoying and then at

the end what comes bill so you have to

pay the bill so that's what life in this

world is all about so a combination of

two things is important to help you

transition

peacefully

one is the experience of

pleasure and the second is the execution

of your

discrimination so the experience of

pleasure gives you the base inspiration

that oh it is worth going in this

direction then you have to execute your

discrimination that oh rasgula is one CR

okay forget it although it looks

attractive you are tempted but still the

cost discrimination you're using

discrimination is it worth it not worth

it worth it not worth it that

discrimination with the intelligence

helps

the

Mind controlled from both sides how do

you strengthen that

execution only one way s Association

people around you positive people who

are doing that better than

you just like if you want to upgrade

your skills what do you do I hang out

with

gangas you hang out with other creators

you hang out with people who are kind of

ment you in the space and stuff like

that so

similarly it is known as s that

shat those who are better and in that

the weakness which is known

as weakness of the heart just like uh

wooden wall

looks wooden strong but inside there is

termite you knock it it falls similarly

nowadays people are looking very strong

this that but inside the mind because of

lack of

self-control the lack of ability to say

no to

Temptations because of a habit of

surrendering continuously to sense

Pleasures they have become termite

ridden from within

look strong from outside but they will

just

collapse at just a little bit of touch

some little bit of change in direction

of life and they can't handle it so I

think the ability to overcome

Temptations control the mind and say no

to Pleasures is not just a choice but I

think it's the need of today's

society to save the Young Generation

from really losing control over their

mind and their

life you know the best time to

actually exercise that muscle of

discipline basically when we're talking

about execution of discrimination yes

basically the muscle of discipline again

absolutely best time to do that is in

childhood

yes

[Music]

um tell me about something which you're

remembering from your childhood I

honestly I'm remembering my teenage and

the first time I drank alcohol first

time I did other naughty things um

especially with intoxication I wish I

had not done it the first time it would

have been easier but you know everyone's

got their own individual Journey so I

had to go through all that to tell

people you know don't do it uh and even

my environment was like that right from

Child I'm not blaming my parents it's a

part of Punjabi culture to drink like in

now in modern day Society so I would see

relatives drinking around me uh I didn't

have a full alcohol intoxicated

experience as a kid but I remember

tasting it from someone's glass it was

extremely bitter and I hated it somebody

you're a teenager you see friends doing

it you've already seen it at home a

little bit then you end up doing it then

you have that first great alcohol

experience and then it becomes a thing

before you know it it becomes a problem

M uh like thank God I gave it up early

but but again with with children

watching this just now I truly believe

I've become an uncle and I'll say don't

do it the first time

itself like whether it's drugs alcohol

cigarettes the easiest way to create

discipline about those things is not to

do it the first time and that's why Gita

says discipline is Fusion of intention

with action and I think you know your

generation should think more deeper on

how we can reint integrate dharmic

principles in all our cultural

expressions like celebration of

festivals celebration of weddings

celebration of various kinds of uh you

know festivities in our own life

successes nowadays because of the

influence from the West it seems like

when people are uh when they pass an

exam they celebrate with drinks when

they have a wedding they celebrate with

drinks when they have to celebrate

anything

that has that has become the norm

culture that has become the culture so I

would say that that's not the original

Vic sanatan Dharma culture tradition and

because of that overall families are

breaking apart relationships are

becoming very very complicated and my

biggest fear is The Binding Factor see

if the cement is there but if you don't

add water the cement will just be powder

right what binds the cement is the water

so what binds families together

traditionally in India has been

spirituality and Dharma and as that is

becoming more and more

disconnected especially with a certain

generation of ours I see where

systematic understanding was not given

and now they are not able to give to the

next yeah and there is a disconnect yeah

and that is something which is very

worrying that very soon the fabric of

our society should not be become

something like in the west where it is

just

transactional and not

transformational hey if you enjoyed

today's clip make sure you check out all

the other Clips we've uploaded on this

channel you'll find a clip related to

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you're willing to search for it

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