The two vices of the body, and five of the tongue, are so called
because they are manifested in the body and tongue, and also because,
by so definitely classifying them, the mind of the reader will be the
better helped; but it must be clearly understood that these vices
arise primarily in the mind, and are wrong conditions of heart worked
out in the body and the tongue.
The existence of such chaotic conditions is an indication that the
mind is altogether unenlightened as to the real meaning and purpose
of life, and their eradication is the beginning of a virtuous,
steadfast, and enlightened life.
But how shall they be overcome and eradicated? By first, and at
once, checking and controlling their outward manifestations, by
suppressing the wrong act; this will stimulate the mind to
watchfulness and reflection until, by repeated practice, it will at
last come to perceive and understand the dark and wrong conditions of
mind, out of which such acts spring, and will abandon them entirely.
It will be seen that the first step in the discipline of the mind is
the overcoming of indolence. This is the easiest step, and until it
is perfectly accomplished, the other steps cannot be taken. The
clinging to indolence constitutes a complete barrier to the Path of
Truth. Indolence consists in giving the body more ease and sleep
than it requires, in procrastinating, and in shirking and neglecting
those things which should receive immediate attention. This
condition of laziness must be overcome by rousing up the body at any
early hour, giving it just the amount of sleep it requires for
complete recuperation, and by doing promptly and vigorously, every
task and duty, no matter how small, as it comes along. On no account
should food or drink be taken in bed, and to lie in bed after one has
wakened, indulging in ease and reverie, is a habit fatal to
promptness and resolution of character, and purity of mind. Nor
should one attempt to do his thinking at such a time. Strong, pure,
and true thinking is impossible under such circumstances. A man
should go to bed to sleep, not to think. He should get up to think
and work, not to sleep.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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