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.
Through indiscriminate suffering men know fear, and fear is the most divine emotion. It is the stones for altars and the beginning of wisdom.
Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it's right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.
To err is human, to repent divine; to persist devilish.
Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.
An insatiable appetite for glory leads to sacrifice and death, but innate instinct leads to self-preservation and life.
If I see anything vital around me, it is precisely that spirit of adventure, which seems indestructible and is akin to curiosity.
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