The Importance of Willpower and Attention for Self-Transformation

Simone Vey discusses the different approaches to self-transformation, particularly the common belief in the Western world that willpower and discipline are the keys to personal growth. She questions whether other important skills, such as attention, need to be developed as well. Vey emphasizes the limitations of the will and the need for attention in cultivating virtues like inner purity, inspiration, and truth of thought. She argues that attention is crucial for achieving real self-transcendence and recommends breaking down assumptions and cultivating open-mindedness to change negative attitudes towards certain activities.