you must train your senses

“Even as a tortoise draws in its limbs, the wise can draw in their senses at will.”

— The Bhagavad Gita

Imagine a group of school kids approaching a tortoise with sticks in their hands. When he sees the children coming, the tortoise issues a command to his body, “Withdraw!” The head, tail, and four legs all immediately retreat into the shell. The kids arrive and tap on the tortoise’s shell with their sticks, attempting to coax the tortoise out. Inside, he is safe and sheltered.

After the kids have gone and everything is calm, the tortoise again pokes his neck out, followed by his tail and legs. He carries on with his journey, unfazed, and goes wherever he wants.

We must train our senses and become like that tortoise — careful yet carefree. This is crucial if we want to live in freedom and peace. 

As we develop self-control, we learn to welcome new experiences while also knowing when to withdraw for our own protection. We conquer ourselves and cultivate mastery over our lives.