Śāntideva on Restraining the Mind

From Śāntideva The Way of the Boddhisattva:

“To cover all the earth with sheets of leather— Where could such amounts of skin be found? But with the leather soles of just my shoes It is as though I cover all the earth!

And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained?”

From, Śāntideva. The Way of the Bodhisattva (p. 33). Shambhala Publications.

If we too can restrain our mind, we would be able to protect ourselves from various suffering. In particular, restraining the mind when it pursues excess food, drink, and intoxicants. Even social media, video games, and the technology can intoxicate the mind. If we can restrain and protect our mind with our guiding values, we can protect our mind from defilements. In doing so, we can develop mental stability and our values shine more authentically.