Careful amidst the careless, amongst the sleeping wide-awake, the intelligent man leaves them all behind
Verse 5
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VERSE 6
Anything that can be taken away from you, even your body, doesn’t define you. You are what is inside: your mind, heart, and spirit.
Any kind of material form whatever, whether past, future, or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, inferior or superior, far or near, all material form should be seen as it actually is with proper wisdom thus: ‘This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.
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VERSE 7
We must train ourselves to resist the influence of bad habits and negative thoughts that would break us.
As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break through an unreflecting mind.
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VERSE 8
Our self is at the heart of our experiences, so strive to keep the mind pure and strong.
The ‘thusness’ of the mind, just that is true reality.
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Verse 9
Sometimes, our thoughts and emotions feel beyond our control. Remember that you have the power to change them.
As the fletcher whittles and makes straight his arrows, so the master directs his straying thoughts.
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VERSE 10
Negative emotions will not leave on their own. It is up to us to draw their poison our of our hearts.
Therefore, the man who seeks his own welfare, should pull out this arrow—this arrow of lamentation, pain, and sorrow.
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VERSE 11
When we speak or act insincerely, we open the door to trouble.
Speak or act with an impure mind, And trouble will follow you.
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VERSE 12
