MIND AND SERENITY - SWAMI TATWANANDA

[Guest guest]

"When like the tortoise which withdraws its limbs into its shell, he

withdraws completely his senses from the sense objects, then his wisdom is

steady." (Chap.2-Verse.58-B.G.)

 

 

It is seen that a tortoise withdraws its limbs when there is an obstruction

or danger to its movements towards a desired goal. It does not withdraw its

limbs once and forever but it is a purposeful withdrawal. When Krishna points

out that the wise one withdraws like a tortoise, that statement denotes the

wise man's control over his faculties and decisions. This sense of control is

not due to a lack of enthusiasm or liveliness in his life. In a matured

person, however, one sees less of involvement in meaningless activities. Just

as the tortoise has the ability to withdraw at will the wise man has the

capacity to withdraw at will his senses from sense objects and into oneself-

 

Our day to day living is based on "movements." Movements with intention to

achieve in the mind are called purposeful living, involving success and

failures. Some causes or motives condition all such actions. What will cause

you to act depends mainly upon your position and situation in life. The

peacefulness of one's mind, which is the result of Knowledge of Self, helps

one to understand the situation and reveals the behavioural responses.

Therefore, this Vision or Knowledge of Truth is an essential need in a

changing society, irrespective of physical, mental and social behaviours.

 

In life, there "seems" to be favourable and unfavourable conditions, which

are provocative for the senses to indulge in a particular pursuit or object.

The spiritual aspirant has to be aware of the futility of such pursuits and

of the habituated responses/reactions to such "fancies". Like the tortoise,

he has to be alert to withdraw the mind and senses from pursuits, which are

not favourable for one's spiritual growth.

 

(Excerpted from Swamiji's talks - published in Mind and Serenity-1984)