Ask Robin

Robin Radcliffe

I have been asked many times about the principle of Self Mastery and how do we initially start the task of learning self control. Although, there are many facets to learning self control, there is a principle that I learned that helped me tremendously.

Let's divide our environment in to two parts: INNER Environment and OUTER Environment.

Inner Environment is everything inside your skin including

the internal organs plus personality functions (feelings, moods, thoughts, decisions, sensations, and impulses). Outer Environment is everything outside of you including the combination of external or extrinsic conditions that affect and influence you (for example other people, or things).

One has indirect control or no control over the outer environment. Indirect control being other's behaviors, attitudes, decisions etc. The no control areas being natural laws of nature and certain fixed situations (e.g. war and the past).

One has direct control over his Inner environment. Selfcontrol is a personal stewardship from God given to everyone in the principle of free agency. This is a God-given right to every man. We have the authority and ability to regulate and direct our own actions. Influence is a power to indirectly affect others or course of events.

Many people think they have the right to control when they only have the right to influence. A good analogy would be trying to control your outer environment is like backseat driving: you may know best, but you do not have control of the car. You can only influence the driver! I'm sure Jesus had the power to control the people but only tried to influence through his teachings and by example.

I think man has an inherent drive to control but when it is directed to our outer environment rather than our selves we can become frustrated and inner peace will escape us.

If we practice knowing the difference our personal triumphs become many!

Remember to choose Peace over Power and it is better to Lead, Guide and Direct than to Control.