Question: What is the best way to develop will-power?
Answer: Sufis develop will-power systematically by first putting the body into a certain discipline. It must sit in the posture that is prescribed to it; it must stand in a place where it is asked to stand. The body must not become restless, tired, fatigued by what is asked of it. The body must answer the demands of the person to whom it belongs. The moment he begins to discipline the body he begins to see how disobedient the body has always been. Then he finds out that this body which he has called "mine", "myself", and for whose comfort he has done everything possible, having closed his eyes to everything else in order to give his body comfort, rest, nourishment - here this infidel seems to be most faithless, most disobedient. So the body is trained by physical exercises, by sitting, standing, or walking, by doing things to which it is not accustomed and which are yet for the betterment of this physical body.