Read time 2 minutes. Why the inner tyranny of willpower won’t lead to real transformation. This stand alone article is part of our continuing series on self-control.
In our last lesson, we looked at self-control—not as a virtue, but as a clever way of splitting ourselves in two. When we try to force change through control, we create an internal tug-of-war. “My appetite was stronger than I was,” we say. Or, if we win: “I was stronger than my desire.” Either way, we’re divided. Let’s take that further.
Let’s talk about willpower.
We treat willpower as if it’s a noble force—an inner muscle we can train. In the case of successful dieting, we believe we willed ourselves into control. We overcame something. We triumphed. And so, we place our faith in this imagined force and admire our ability to suppress.
But what we call “willpower” is often just another layer of inner tyranny. We used to be ruled by appetite. Now we’re ruled by the desire to be free of appetite. A trade. A reshuffle. Ultimately, just another cage.
We think we’re progressing, but really, we’re just shuffling paperwork.
To live by willpower is to live in tension—with ourselves, against ourselves. It might give us a small rush of accomplishment, but it offers no real unification. No return to center. Just more self-pushing.
And here’s the trap: learning this, we may swing the other way. We may think the answer is to give up trying altogether. That this new refusal is the real path. But that, too, is a misunderstanding.
Because self-control isn’t an obstacle to realization. It’s just… not relevant.
Choose the middle way
Real transformation doesn’t come from controlling our impulses—or from abandoning control altogether. It comes from not splitting in the first place.
Water seeks its level. Tao restores the balance. We can, too.
Start by finding your center. Not trying harder. Not giving up. Just… settling into what already is.
Because once we truly know who we are, who’s to say what we’ll really want?
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Explore more:
This interesting article on Vox, Why Willpower Is Overrated, is not out of line with these teachings. The article provides some clarity. It suggests why some things don’t seem to work and offers some ideas that just might. There is also still a lot about all of this that we still don’t fully understand.
🌀 From the GZM Archives – Polished, Preserved, Still Relevant.
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