The Elephant and the Fly: The Secret of Controlling the Restless Mind

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The Elephant and the Fly: The Secret of Controlling

the Restless Mind

 

 

A disciple and his teacher were walking through the

forest. The disciple was disturbed by the fact that

his mind was in constant unrest. He asked his teacher:

" Why most people's minds are restless, and only a few

possess a calm mind? What can one do to still the

mind? "

 

The teacher looked at the disciple, smiled and said:

" I will tell you a story. An elephant was standing and

picking leaves from a tree. A small fly came, flying

and buzzing near his ear. The elephant waved it away

with his long ears. Then the fly came again, and the

elephant waved it away once more " . This was repeated

several times. Then the elephant asked the fly: " Why

are you so restless and noisy? Why can't you stay for

a while in one place? " The fly answered: " I am

attracted to whatever I see, hear or smell. My five

senses pull me constantly in all directions and I

cannot resist them. What is your secret? How can you

stay so calm and still? "

 

The elephant stopped eating and said: " My five senses

do not rule my attention. Whatever I do, I get

immersed in it. Now that I am eating, I am completely

immersed in eating. In this way I can enjoy my food

and chew it better. I rule and control my attention,

and not the other way around. "

 

Upon hearing these words, the disciple's eyes opened

wide and a smile appeared on his face. He looked at

his teacher and said: " I understand! If my five senses

are in control of my mind and attention, then my mind

is in constant unrest. If I am in charge of my five

senses and attention, then my mind becomes calm " .

" Yes, that's right " , answered the teacher, " The mind

is restless and goes wherever the attention is.

Control your attention, and you control your mind " .

 

 

 

 

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