The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth

“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it.”

Peck holds that acknowledging life’s difficulty is one way to Find Spiritual Growth in Suffering. If you are aware that life will always present you with challenges, you can begin to regard these challenges as opportunities for development, learning, and enlightenment.

“Ultimately love is everything. […] When we love something it is of value to us, and when something is of value to us we spend time with it, time enjoying it and time taking care of it.”

Fostering genuinely loving relationships requires desire and effort. Peck encourages people to cultivate loving dynamics by investing in the people they care about. You can do so by devoting time to your intimate relationships; this will show that you value your loved ones.

“To willingly confront a problem early, before we are forced to confront it by circumstances, means to put aside something pleasant or less painful for something more painful.”

Delaying gratification is one of Peck’s key techniques for practicing self-discipline. If you confront life’s challenges as they come up, you are exercising your agency and taking control of your life. Saving more enjoyable tasks for later is one way to Use Self-Discipline as a Path to Freedom.