By Steady Practice and Detachment, the Mind Is Held
The mind is indeed hard to hold, yet by steady practice and by detachment it can, in the end, be held.
Do I tire from trying to conquer my mind at once, or tame it little by little through small daily practice?
📝Reflection
In this verse I hear the old teacher's kind answer to the disciple's honest lament. Admitting the mind is as hard as the wind, he still encourages that by two roads — steady practice and unclinging detachment — it can at last be held. The way is not conquest in one stroke but daily repetition, and the other wing is not forceful gripping but releasing attachment. As dripping water bores through rock, the repetition of small practice tames the mind. Instead of despairing that the mind is hard, I quietly add one small practice today.
🌱Apply It Today
Choose one very small practice to govern your mind today (like counting ten breaths), and keep just that one, steadily.
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
