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In this interesting, brief conversation, I knew that we were not just talking about physical food. On the deeper level, people want gratification in the external world. Personally, I don’t like it when it is too hot (excitable, tense) in the outer world. I took Swami’s answer to mean that he is not the one that makes it hot for us. Lack of sense control leads to araction and aachment to external objects, which causes us heartburn.
A few days later Swami invited me for another ride in his car. This time he spoke on another aspect of sense control, namely control of desire and self-control. Swami told us that people have forgoen to be human and have lost sight of the importance of self-control. “Eighty percent of the population is spoiled. The college campuses are bad environments, and students are allowed to do anything they want. Parents have spoiled their children because they do not stop bad behavior. Students at this college \[the Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning\] are different. They practice self-control and discipline. Show me your company, and I will tell you who you are. Run away from bad company.” Swami continued on about the importance of sense control, control of desire, and right action (dharma). I made a quiet personal promise to exert beer control over eating, talking, and watching television, and to maintain good company.
My First Lesson in Sense and Behavior Control
During my first trip to Swami, he taught me a valuable lesson about sense control. I had been a psychiatrist for nine years and enjoyed heightened sensory experiences. Riding my motorcycle in the countryside, I felt that the speed and tricky twists and turns were freedom itself. I was about an inch away from breaking my neck, and yet considered it to be freedom. It was at a time when experimentation, overcoming inhibition, and indulging in the world of the senses was valued amongst my friends. So, in the frame of mind of leing it all hang out, I considered not shaving while in India and leing my hair grow wild. I somehow thought that full indulgence in the sensual
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