𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

Perception is how we see and understand what occurs around us—and what we decide those events will mean. Our perceptions can be a source of strength or of great weakness. If we are emotional, subjective and shortsighted, we only add to our troubles. To prevent becoming overwhelmed by the world around us, we must, as the ancients practiced, learn how to limit our passions and their control over our lives. It takes skill and discipline to bat away the pests of bad perceptions, to separate reliable signals from deceptive ones, to filter out prejudice, expectation, and fear. But it’s worth it, for what’s left is truth. While others are excited or afraid, we will remain calm and imperturbable. We will see things simply and straightforwardly, as they truly are—neither good nor bad. This will be an incredible advantage for us in the fight against obstacles.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

The second part of the book deals with how to take action. First, remember: Action is commonplace, right action is not. As a discipline, it’s not any kind of action that will do, but directed action. Everything must be done in the service of the whole. Step by step, action by action, we can dismantle the obstacles in front of us. With persistence and flexibility, we can act in the best interest of our goals. Action requires courage, not brashness—creative application and not brute force. Our movements and decisions define us: We must be sure to act with deliberation, boldness, and persistence. Those are the attributes of right and effective action. Nothing else—not thinking or evasion or aid from others. Action is the solution and the cure to our predicaments.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡

Will is our internal power, which can never be affected by the outside world. It is our final trump card. If action is what we do when we still have some agency over our situation, the will is what we depend on when agency has all but disappeared. Placed in some situation that seems unchangeable and undeniably negative, we can turn it into a learning experience, a humbling experience, a chance to provide comfort to others. That’s will power. But that needs to be cultivated. We must prepare for adversity and turmoil, we must learn the art of acquiescence and practice cheerfulness even in dark times. Too often people think that will is how bad we want something. In actuality, the will has a lot more to do with surrender than with strength. Try “God willing” over “the will to win” or “willing it into existence,” for even those attributes can be broken. True will is quiet humility, resilience, and flexibility; the other kind of will is weakness disguised by bluster and ambition. See which lasts longer under the hardest of obstacles.