Lord Krishna’s Teachings for Better Control Over the Senses
Duty, discipline, and detachment are some of the ways to avoid pain and stay on the path of peace and perfection.
Our five senses — touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing — help us experience the world. But, these same five senses can also become the reason for pain and attachment.
They can distract us from our path, cause addictions, and take away a sense of moderation and tranquillity from our life.
As Lord Krishna says —
Because the mind, when controlled by the roving senses, steals away the intellect as a storm takes away a boat on the sea from its destination — the spiritual shore of peace and happiness. (2.67)
In Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, pratyahara — the fifth step of the eightfold path — emphasizes the need for withdrawal of the five senses in order for the yogi to enter deeper states of concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and finally, samadhi — a state of bliss, or union with one’s Self.
The ancient wisdom of Tarot too, reflects how attachment to the senses can lead to bondage as seen in the 15th card of the Major Arcana, or the Devil card.
