Summary:

The first pages of Peck's book presents an introduction to the area of discipline. The main point the author makes is that life is difficult, but also that accepting the existence of problems partly is what gives life meaning. As important is it to meet and solve these problems. After the short introduction, the author introduces a few concepts that can help making life easier. The first is "Delayed gratification", and Peck writes that "it is a process of scheduling the pain and pleasure of life in such a way as to enhance the pleasure by meeting and experiencing the pain first and getting it over with". In other words, eat the beans before you start on the ice cream. The author also stresses that at the same time as it is important to set these limits for oneself, one should also care to set the same limits for ones children. It all evolves around the term discipline, and that it is important to take control over one's life.

Reading note:

Man's existence is full of conflict, sorrow, and suffering. All this difficulty and pain is caused by man's selfish desire. There can be found emancipation and freedom - Nirvana. These are the first three great truths of Buddha, and the fourth is evidently the Noble Eightfold Path, which is the way to liberation.

Dr. Peck agrees with Buddha on at least the first truth, but most people would probably also agree on that there are many nuances of difficulty. The blind beggar in the streets of Calcutta obviously has different problems than the boss of a big company. Having money obviously doesn't save one from trouble, but people who don't have to worry about what to eat are usually happier than those who do. When life becomes too difficult, some people choose to commit suicide. This is the ultimate evidence for the assumption that life is difficult, sometimes even impossible to bear.

The author writes that: "Yet it is in this whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has its meaning". This is obviously not true for all people, especially those whose problems around mainly around that of surviving. It is true that solving problems lead to spiritual growth. The sad part is that many spend too long time trying to solve them, that is if they ever manage to do so at all.

Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, needed six years to understand how he could come to peace with life. The author's "The road less travelled", and its several sequels, are supposed to help us find the solution to many of the same problems as were troubling Buddha more than two thousand years ago. The first few advises are well explained, and the necessity of having limits for children are very correctly underlined by the author. Still I reserve the right to return with stricter criticism, this once I've read more or the book.

Summary:

The author stresses in this part of the book that man is able to solve all problems, this as long as he/she has the time, confidence and obviously a good understanding of the problem. He presents a few stories of people having problems doing just this, mostly due to lack of one or more of the above mentioned abilities. Most people who seek psychiatrists with these problems are usually placed into one of two categories, which are also accounted for. A neurotic person assumes too much responsibility, a person with a character disorder not enough.

Reading note:

An interesting read, even though you probably don't have to be a psychiatrist to see that one can either take too much or too little responsibility for one's problems. Still various other factors may play a role, but psychiatrists are generally not known for solving problems on a practical level. I also have my doubts that the doctor would make such a fantastic mechanic, there might actually be reasons why he didn't end up as just that.

The author is correct when he says that many of his statements may seem very self-evident or idiotically tautological. I have to say I consider the book more interesting as an introduction to the thoughts of a famous psychiatrist, but I also understand that the book was written to solve as much my own problems as those of others. It is puzzling that it is only during the last couple of years most people have started recognising mental health at the same level as psychical health (not that we are quite there yet).