Eating constitutes the greatest obstacle to self-control; it gives rise to indolence.
Interpretation
Eating can hinder our ability to self-regulate, leading to laziness.
Mahavira's quote emphasizes the idea that the act of eating can be a significant barrier to exercising self-control. It suggests that indulgence in food may not only affect our physical state but also lead to a lethargic mindset, which can impede our ability to take action or make disciplined choices in life.
In practice
In a personal development seminar focused on motivation and discipline.
If one undertakes retrospection of the day's events, one must do it regularly at the appointed hour, not fitfully, not doing it today, neglecting to do it tomorrow and the day after and then taking it up again on the fourth day. Such irregular practice is not conducive to the confirmation of the habit of retrospection.
If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed, until it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort.
Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma.
Start the practice of self-control with some penance; begin with fasting.
Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and love lead to more forgiveness and love.
Modes are infinite, and laws are infinite.
The best thing about growing older is that it takes such a long time.
Who does his task from day to day and meets whatever comes his way, Believing God has willed it so, has found real greatness here below. Who guards his post, no matter where, believing God must need him there, Although but lowly toil it be, has risen to nobility. For great and low there's just one test, 'tis that each man shall do his best, Who works with all the strength he can, shall never die in debt to man.
Each generation faces different issues and challenges, but our standard must always be measured by God's word.
Those unacquainted with the world take pleasure in intimacy with great men; those who are wiser fear the consequences.
I think people read the tabloids because they want to see you eating a burger, or out of your makeup or doing something stupid because they just want to see that you're like everyone else. And that's okay. I don't want to catch myself anymore saying that my life is hard, because the good far outweighs the bad in my life. And it's easier to focus on those things, on the things that are important.
The world is his who can see through its pretension.
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