Siddarth Shukla

Action is Inevitable
At some point, the realization dawns: action is no longer optional. Life offers us a choice—to keep chasing comfort or to embrace renunciation. Here, renunciation means letting go of pride, ego, material desires, and the endless attachments to the physical world. It’s about doing what’s necessary, not for validation or status, but because it aligns with a deeper sense of purpose. This is where the internal battle starts.

On one side, I see my attachments: the desire for the flashy car, the need to signal status, and the comfortable lifestyle that requires minimal effort. It’s easy to fall into routines where I’m merely coasting, not investing the energy needed to create meaningful change. On the other side, there’s a part of me that recognizes true fulfillment comes from letting go of these superficial desires and acting with purpose, not pride.

When I first felt the need for renunciation—whether it was choosing to fix the house instead of buying a new car or waking up early to work on my discipline—I realized I had to confront my attachments head-on. There was no turning back. Every decision was met with resistance from the part of me that craved comfort and easy gratification. But, like a warrior preparing for battle, I knew that the only way forward was through disciplined effort and intentional action.

This struggle isn’t just about letting go of material desires; it’s about choosing what’s meaningful over what’s easy. Recognizing the need for renunciation means acknowledging that the battle has already begun. Now, the challenge is to engage in this struggle consciously and deliberately.

Seeking Wisdom
I’ve come to understand that my current perspective isn’t enough to guide me through this transition. I’m stepping into the unknown, learning to stay with the problem rather than acting out of compulsion. This requires seeking higher wisdom and observing my attachments without bias.

I don’t have a clear destination or ultimate goal in mind yet. But what I do know is that action is necessary now. The time for contemplation has passed; what remains is the need for deliberate, righteous action. It’s not just about doing; it’s about doing what aligns with my higher self.

This journey is more than avoiding a passive, routine existence. It’s about engaging in daily practices that purify my thoughts, behaviors, and habits. It means integrating my higher self into the moments when my lower self seeks to act out of habit or attachment. Every day, I must engage in this internal dialogue, staying focused on what truly matters.

Reflection Before Action
As I sit here writing, I find myself reflecting. Each word brings me closer to understanding my desires and the attachments born from ignorance. Writing has become a prayer to my higher self—a request for guidance and clarity. Whether through this blog or on X, my writing serves as a tool to navigate life’s complexities, purifying my actions and refining my thoughts.

Documenting my journey is my form of prayer. It’s how I seek the wisdom to align my actions with a deeper sense of purpose. It’s not just about external actions but about ensuring that the steps I take come from a place of awareness and intention, rather than attachment or habit.

Before I can engage in any external battle, I’ve learned that the internal battle must first be won. I need to pause, reflect, and see the forces at play—my desires, attachments, and the conflicts within. Only by inviting my higher self into this process can I ensure that my actions are grounded in clarity and purpose.

Conquer Your Night Before Conquering Your Day
Discipline requires conscious action. Most conscious actions occur during the day, when we’re flooded with countless activities and decisions. Planning the day can feel overwhelming, but planning the night is much simpler. Before I can tackle my day, I realize I need to conquer my night.

Time moves on, indifferent to my plans. Days and nights pass by, and I know that I need to start with what has fewer variables: the night. Here, the only variable I need to address is sleep. Establishing a sleep routine is the foundation. Once that routine is set, I can begin to conquer my day with a rested mind. If I can conquer my sleep, I believe I can start to conquer everything else.

Conquer Your Sleep
Mastering oneself begins with mastering sleep. A consistent sleep schedule lays the groundwork for discipline. I aim to go to bed by 9:30 pm and wake up before 5:30 am. Yet, consistency remains a struggle, especially over weekends. Establishing a regular sleep routine is the first step toward self-mastery. By conquering sleep, I set a tone for my day, creating a strong foundation on which I can build discipline in other aspects of life.

Conquer Your Day: The Senses
Once I’ve conquered my night and sleep, the next challenge is to tackle my senses during the day. My actions are often driven by sensory distractions, pulling me away from my goals. To conquer myself, I need to discipline what I say, see, hear, taste, smell, and touch.

Discipline My Speech
We’re addicted to drama. We speak ill of others, indulge in gossip, and fill our time with stories that add no real value. I want to discipline my speech by focusing on meaningful conversations and avoiding the lure of gossip. My goal is to be so engrossed in my life and aspirations that I don’t have the time for idle talk. It’s about redirecting my focus to things that truly matter and contribute to my growth.

Discipline My Taste
Taste is one of the strongest senses that can control my actions. I have often found myself eating out, indulging in rich and flavorful foods that may not align with my health goals. It’s not just about the food itself, but the craving for specific tastes—sweet, salty, or savory—that can drive me to make unhealthy choices. Preparing meals at home can be a great way to maintain control, but it’s also a challenge when the tastes I seek are so easily accessible through takeout and snacks.

To discipline my taste, I need to plan my meals with intention. This means preparing balanced, nourishing foods that align with my health goals, and consciously choosing not to indulge in impulsive cravings. It’s about retraining my taste buds to find satisfaction in simplicity and nourishment, rather than in quick, processed pleasures.

Discipline My Eyes
My eyes are easily distracted. Hours can slip by while scrolling through Instagram or binge-watching shows. Just recently, I spent three hours watching a Joe Rogan podcast. Although it was interesting, a walk with my wife and our dog, Lola, made me realize how much of what I watched had already faded from memory. It was a moment of clarity: I had consumed so much content, yet retained so little. To conquer myself, I need to discipline my eyes by concentrating on my goals and creating an environment with fewer distractions.

Discipline My Ears
Sounds can trigger reactions. I recall how my boss would arrive at work, head to the vending machine, and grab a can of Coke. The sound of him opening it would spark an immediate craving in me. Similarly, if I casually mention a restaurant to my wife, it sticks, and we almost inevitably end up going there. My ears need discipline to filter out these triggers, helping me focus on what truly matters.

Discipline My Smell
Smells have a powerful influence on our actions. When I’m at my parents’ house, the aroma of food from the kitchen often distracts me from my planned workout. I have a gym in the basement, but the smell of fried and baked foods draws me upstairs, steering me away from my healthy meal plan. To conquer myself, I need to be conscious of these sensory triggers and stay disciplined.

Discipline My Touch
The sense of touch is often overlooked, yet it plays a significant role in shaping our habits and routines. I’ve noticed how the comfort of soft blankets can keep me in bed longer, delaying the start of my day. Similarly, the feel of my phone in my hand becomes an instinctual comfort, drawing me into endless scrolling.

Touch extends beyond comfort—it influences many of my choices, including those related to instant gratification. For instance, the habit of masturbation can be a significant challenge. It’s an immediate response to stress, boredom, or even procrastination. The physical act, triggered by touch, often leads to a cycle of indulgence and guilt. Recognizing this habit is essential, as it drains energy that could be redirected toward more meaningful activities.

This same principle applies to other areas as well. The act of holding a bag of chips or feeling the cold surface of a soda can in my hand can compel me to consume them, even when I’m not hungry. It’s about the familiarity and comfort of these actions that make them so hard to break.

To discipline my sense of touch, I need to become more mindful of my actions. This means intentionally choosing what I allow myself to engage with. Avoiding reaching for my phone first thing in the morning can help me start the day with more clarity. Similarly, creating an environment where distractions are less accessible—like keeping snacks out of easy reach or setting physical boundaries around when and where I allow myself certain comforts—can help me regain control. By being conscious of how touch affects my decisions, I can start directing my actions toward what truly matters.

Reflection
Our senses crave stimulation, often leading us into distractions. When we’re in a state of flow, however, all our senses and mind are harmoniously engaged. This is the balance I strive for—a state where I can channel the energy of my senses toward meaningful action, rather than allowing them to pull me into indulgence.

Conclusion
Conquering oneself is an ongoing process. It starts with recognizing that action is inevitable and understanding that renunciation—letting go of superficial desires—is essential for growth. From setting a disciplined sleep routine to mastering our senses during the day, every step is a conscious effort. Through reflection, seeking wisdom, and taking deliberate action, we can align our lives with our higher purpose. It’s not about perfection but about staying committed to the journey of self-mastery.