Stop struggling to turn off the inner darkness, start striving to turn on the inner light
Stop struggling to turn off the inner darkness start striving to turn on the inner light Suppose we are lost in a dark room. We [...]
In dealing with our urges, if we don’t consciously choose responsibility, we unconsciously choose slavery
In dealing with our urges if we don’t consciously choose responsibility we unconsciously choose slavery We all treasure our freedom and would fight if someone [...]
When fighting temptation focus just on surviving the present battle not on winning the whole war
When fighting temptation focus just on surviving the present battle not on winning the whole war Suppose we were to fight a boxing match against [...]
Don’t bolt from temptation bolt the door to temptation
Don’t bolt from temptation bolt the door to temptation When a horse hears a sudden loud sound, like that of a gunshot or a thunderclap, [...]
The body reacts mechanically – don’t take its reactions personally
The body reacts mechanically - don’t take its reactions personally Suppose we had a machine that was programmed to behave in a particular way, to [...]
Fighting urges is like a timed arm wrestling match – if we just survive the present round, we will resume on neutral ground
Fighting urges is like a timed arm wrestling match – if we just survive the present round we will resume on neutral ground Suppose we [...]
Our urges aren’t like endlessly rising lines they are like endlessly recurring waves – surf them patiently
Our urges aren’t like endlessly rising lines they are like endlessly recurring waves – surf them patiently Whenever some self-destructive urge attacks, we tend to [...]
Turning away is not running away if we are turning toward something better
Turning away is not running away if we are turning toward something better Suppose we see a person who constantly agitates us. Not wanting to [...]
We don’t have to outweigh our urges; we just have to out-wait them
We don’t have to outweigh our urges; we just have to out-wait them Suppose a thief is trying to barge into our house by breaking [...]
When we resist our urges, they may become scarier, but they don’t become stronger
When we resist our urges they may become scarier but they don’t become stronger Suppose an animal trainer is domesticating a wild tiger by starving [...]
To see our own stupidity, unvarnished and unjustified, is infuriating and invigorating
To see our own stupidity unvarnished and unjustified is infuriating and invigorating When someone we care for does something stupid, they often try to hide [...]
When the sensual deludes the eye the spiritual eludes the I
When the sensual deludes the eye the spiritual eludes the I The world around us is filled with innumerable sensual stimuli. And most such stimuli [...]
To decrease unhealthy reactions increase healthy reminders
To decrease unhealthy reactions increase healthy reminders Suppose we have some unhealthy habit such as impulsive overeating. Once some behavior becomes ingrained as a habit, [...]
Those who fight their inner devils are the ultimate daredevils
Those who fight their inner devils are the ultimate daredevils Many people like to be daredevils. Wanting a sense of adventure and achievement, they dive [...]
Love becomes blind when lust becomes the blindfold
Love becomes blind when lust becomes the blindfold Love is the heart’s deepest aspiration; we all want to love and be loved. Through love, we [...]
Impulse may run over intelligence but don’t let it take over intelligence
Impulse may run over intelligence but don’t let it take over intelligence Suppose some invaders attack a fort suddenly. The defenders, being caught unawares, are [...]
Intelligence is the last defense against indulgence – and also the first defense
Intelligence is the last defense against indulgence – and also the first defense An important fort usually has multiple layers of defense. The best security [...]
Friendly snakes are still snakes – beware of the snake-like senses
Friendly snakes are still snakes – beware of the snake-like senses Suppose someone adopts a poisonous snake as a pet. Even if that snake appears [...]
Intelligence shows how indulgence is harmful and how harmful indulgence is
Intelligence shows how indulgence is harmful and how harmful indulgence is Less than a century ago, smoking was considered harmless. It took decades of intelligent [...]
A sight on a site can trigger a fire inside watch what you watch
A sight on a site can trigger a fire inside watch what you watch If we live in a house made of inflammable material, we [...]
Careless contemplation turns tempting thoughts into time bombs
Careless contemplation turns tempting thoughts into time bombs When a time bomb is placed somewhere, it may not even be noticed by anyone; it might [...]