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.
MahaviraRead
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.
Interpretation
Regular and consistent self-reflection enhances personal growth and habit formation.
This quote emphasizes the importance of consistency in self-reflection or retrospection. Mahavira suggests that to truly benefit from reflecting on our daily actions and experiences, it should be done regularly and at a specific time, thereby forming a strong habit. Irregular practices dilute the effectiveness of retrospection, undermining its ability to foster meaningful insights and growth.
In practice
A personal development workshop where participants are encouraged to engage in daily reflections.
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.
Eating constitutes the greatest obstacle to self-control; it gives rise to indolence.
Keeping score of old scores and scars, getting even and one-upping, always makes you less than you are.
Don't try to solve serious matters in the middle of the night.
If there are people at once rich and content, be assured that they are content because they know how to be so, not because they are rich
He is truly great in who hath power over himself.
Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.
I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.
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