Training in 4 Areas

Artist's rendering of Miyamoto Musashi

I've invented a training system that can also serve as a kind of life philosophy as well. I call it the "Metistonic Tetrahedron". It has four major components under which one can try to develop and improve themselves which should cover just about any realm of self-improvement that one can train in. They are grouped broadly into the Moral, Intellectual, Skill, and Athletic categories. It is into these four categories that one dedicates their desire, efforts and energies. You can decide specialize moreso into one or two areas, though you should try to develop all four and not ignore any one aspect. Keep in mind that I intend this philosophy to maintain a holistic approach towards life in general. It is meant to be a guiding framework for one's energy. I shall go into further detail of each:

Moral: This is the area where a man develops his moral nature, to the extent that it can be trained. This encompasses the ethical, social, communal, religious, spiritual, emotional, personal and social achievement, habitual, and the making of choices aspects of one's life. Living by principles or ideals, such as "Do not be lazy", "never procrastinate", and "dominate competition" are examples of rules that a man can choose to live by. Making the varsity team, getting the promotion, breaking a record, are some personal and social achievement examples. Being active in the temple. Donating to charity. Getting to know people better. Getting out more often to interact with and influence people. Developing practical sense, good judgement, steely resolve, interpersonal insight. Doing more work. Being competitive. Being orderly. A dedication to rationalism. Maintaining good health. Going vegan. These actions and attitudes will fall into this category. 

Intellect: This is the development of one's mental capacities in terms of learning, reasoning, comprehending, abstract thinking, calculation, creativity, auto-critique, and problem solving, among other mental aptitudes. This is about maximizing your talents in the general realm of intelligence. Now there are numerous elements of intelligence that one can practice and cultivate. Focusing on improvement in one single area at a time is alright, though you may also want to consider taking a balanced approach to development. It's like physical training in a sense, in that you shouldn't just exercise your legs and leave your arms alone. There is the fitness of the whole body that you should consider. But specializing in some particular areas could be a good way to go as well. Basically you want to find the best path for yourself, considering your own natural intellectual strengths. Whatever works for you is what should be done. To start, simply reading alot is one way to go in terms of the training methods. Reading is a reliable method for intellectual development, but of course there are also other methods and techniques to train which can enhance your mental capacities, such as memory games, crosswords, math activity, etc. Seek them and practice them well.

Skill: This can also be a specific discipline or trade. This is the bread and butter of the various things you can do, your particular abilities or talents. Your athletic and intellectual development can essentially serve as a foundation for the application of many skills. Though skills themselves are abilities that are to some extent independent of the level of physical fitness and mental development. This is the applications area of the mind and body, the abilities that you possess. This is earned through practice and experience. You can expect to spend significant amounts of time training in order to gain any valuable, complex skill. There are also many everyday simple activities which require training in order for one to be very adept at, to perform at a superior level to the average. The list of skills can pretty much run the gamut of the universe. Whatever you wish to be expert in. The goal in each is to master them as best as you can.

Athletic: This is the training of the body. You need to be in the best shape you can be. Fast, strong, agile and staminous. Whatever the limits of your genes are in the physical department, you should strive to build physical aptitude up to that level. We each have our own genetic profile which provides us with a certain range of ability. And personally I would like to see what my limits are athletically. Have goals, have in mind a general program, run with it consistently and continually try to progress and advance to ever greater capacity with your body. To be physically more powerful than that guy next to you, to run faster and longer than most men (certainly to beat the average), swim better, etc. This is the aspiration. Logically, if it be within your power to train and gain the ability to jump higher, climb higher, outrun, outlift, overpower others, move with better balance and so on, then why not? And of course, with good training you can reach higher levels of ability. In fact, with serious and consistent training, it may be possible to reach levels that may surprise you. Already I am able to do things physically that were basically beyond me a few months ago. You have to allocate appropriate time for physical fitness. As in all things, maintain focus, dedication and commitment.  Basically have a serious, no bull crapping type of attitude to getting things done and do it regularly. Maximize your progress and feel your rewards as well. "Citius, Altius, Fortius".

The general idea is to expand yourself. Strengthen your body, sharpen your mind, refine your character, and advance your skills. I think that in general, a person should be able to speak a foreign language, know basic science and math, be able to practice solid critical thinking, engage in regular moderate level exercise, be fairly capable in a sport, and possess a good level of competence in an occupation as well as possess expertise in another craft, art, trade or discipline. In addition, one's hobbies may include that which activates skill strengths, such as logical puzzles or artistic/creative games. If you have hobbies, why not have those which employ elements of your skill set? In your leisure time engage in those activities which have some kind of usefulness in other areas.