Obscenity is objectionable not because it shows too much of a person, but because it shows too little and obsesses people with the too little
Obscenity is becoming increasingly accessible and visible in today’s media and especially on the Internet. And it has some aggressive proponents: “If people want to [...]
If we are robbed repeatedly by the same suspect, it is our intelligence that is suspect
Suppose we are robbed and the prime suspect is a shady neighbor. We would confront them to recover what had been stolen. Or at least, [...]
More damaging than the lies we tell others are the lies we tell ourselves
Suppose someone has diabetes and they secretly eat desserts. If they lie to their caregivers about what they are doing, that’s bad; they will worsen [...]
We relapse not because we are witless or will-less, but because we are weapon-less
When we make resolutions to give up some unhealthy indulgence, we often relapse. On succumbing thus, we may berate ourselves for being witless: “How could [...]
Protect the fences that protect you – keep temptation at a healthy distance
Suppose we live in a neighborhood where robbery is common. We will naturally build a strong fence around our home. Does building a fence signify [...]
Even when we can’t avoid sensual perception, we can avoid sensual imagination
We live in a world rife with temptation. Such temptation can deceive and degrade us at any moment. Given that we can neither remove temptation [...]
Saying no to temptation doesn’t mean much if we don’t mean no
Suppose someone we know succumbs to an unworthy temptation. On being confronted about their wrongdoings, they may apologize and promise to never repeat that lapse. [...]
Even if we can’t stop feeling sensual urges, we can stop feeding sensual urges
Suppose we live in a forest cabin. We may not be able to prevent the arrival of unwanted animals. But we can avoid feeding them, [...]
Seek the association that warns us about our urges, not warms us to our urges
Suppose we meet a stranger belonging to a group that is hostile to us. Naturally, we would be reserved while dealing with them. But if [...]
What we feel doesn’t fell us, what we will does
When we strive to free ourselves from impurities, we may still feel impure desires rising in our consciousness. To not become disheartened by such desires, [...]
If we don’t give the devil his due, he will take more than his due
The devil is envisioned in some traditions as a malefic being who tempts us toward wrongdoing and then traps us in distress. But beyond such [...]
To regulate your eating, listen to your body, not to your mind
Our body is like a car. Both cars and bodies give signals when their fuel tanks or stomachs respectively start becoming empty. We respond to [...]
If we don’t fix the broken doors to our consciousness, we will be robbed
Suppose our home has a broken door. If we don’t want to be robbed, we need to fix that door asap. Our inner homes often [...]
Perfectionism is a serial killer in high heels
When we try to improve ourselves, we often desire to become perfect in that area. Such perfectionism or obsession with perfection is a deceptive and [...]
No barrier is foolproof, that is not proof no barrier is useful
Suppose a particular coastal area is prone to get flooded because of high tides or sea-storms or tsunamis. Suppose the government constructs a barricade, but [...]
We are inflammable, not incorrigible – we need caution, not condemnation
Suppose we can’t resist some sensual temptation despite trying repeatedly. Over time, we may become disheartened, thinking: “Maybe I am incorrigible.” Thankfully, no one is [...]
Contemplation on temptation changes our disposition from zero tolerance to zero resistance
Suppose a country that is being overrun by illegal immigrants has adopted a zero tolerance approach at immigration. But suppose some illegal immigrants approach the [...]
To best defend our consciousness from the world, first raise it above the world
Suppose a city is under attack from powerful plunderers. If that city were at ground level, pushing back the attackers would be difficult. But if [...]
Sensual pleasure touts itself as free and then takes toll forever
Many drug dealers give drugs free to gullible kids. Though the drugs may be delivered free, those dealers do take a price: the price of [...]
Even if we can’t close the door to temptation permanently, we can close it presently
Suppose we live in a thief-infested locality. We will want a strong, permanent lock for our home door. But if somehow we can’t have such [...]
Those who think they aren’t prone to evil are the most prone to evil
When we see someone doing something horrible, we may feel revolted, “How disgusting! I would never do anything like that.” Shock at seeing people do [...]