Deep down we would like to have better Self Control. We know the times we have given in, only to realise that we should, and can do better. And yet, in spite of wanting this, we struggle.

Self Control starts with sense control. Our mind engages with sense objects through our senses. If we are not constantly vigilant, before we know it, the mind gets carried away. How often we have been tempted by that extra desert or buying something beyond our budget because we got carried away. Our ability to withdraw our senses at will builds self-control.

The mind is ever indulgent by nature and constantly looking for expression for its tendencies. Awareness of our thoughts builds self control.

But just awareness won’t help. The secret lies in shifting the attention of the mind before it’s too late. Being constantly aware, detecting the rise of temptation, negating the negative pull and substituting it with positive, inspiring and higher thoughts. Awareness – Detect – Negate – Substitute.

But in spite of knowing this we may fail. And repeated failure starts bothering us. Our intent is noble but our actions sometimes speak otherwise. Are we eternal slaves to our passions ? No.

Building self control and escaping from the clutches of our temptations and tendencies, is like launching a rocket. Anything that is thrown up gets pulled down by gravity. Our temptations, like gravity, pull us down. But the rocket carries enough fuel and builds escape velocity to break away from the gravitational pull into a different orbit.

We too need the fuel to move into a different orbit. The fuel of our knowledge, conviction, commitment and dedicated self-effort. And when we decide that we want to break free nothing can stop us. Every temptation becomes an opportunity to strengthen our resolve, test our commitment, and deepen our understanding of ourselves.

Every small victory is a step towards a different universe. A universe of unimaginable potentiality within. We enjoy the world without getting tainted and tempted, armed with the shield of Self-Control.