Improving Lives: Self-discipline, Disciplining the Self and Self-less Discipline

The idea of wellbeing and health is being promoted as important and valuable in society. It has been said that, in order to achieve wellbeing, a person must eat correctly, get plenty of sleep, meditate and exercise regularly. The other side of the coin is, however, that a healthy life style can become both a duty and a sign – something you must do and display in order to be successful in business, in society. This concentration on being (seen as) athletic or mindful can take away from our critical faculties and deep thinking, as rather than confront the negative aspects of life, we seek to build up our own personal immunity to those aspects. However, taking care of one’s own body and mind is common sense, as we suspect those who over eat, drink too much alcohol, smoke daily, or use narcotics regularly. Where then is the balance between self-discipline and disciplining the self?This symposium will look at the idea of “improving lives” from different angels, and aim at dissolving the dichotomy between extrinsic bodily discipline and intrinsic care for self. Rather than posing an aporia, we would like to explore the spectrum that includes ice baths, ultra-marathons, and relaxed down-time, as well as mindfulness practices aimed at accepting our surroundings and/or challenging existing structures. Taking care of the body gives us the freedom to take care of others, and ourselves, and ultimately, may reflect a primitive desire to have a full and meaningful life.