The Wise Straighten the Mind
The mind quivers and flits, hard to guard, hard to restrain. The wise make it straight, as a fletcher straightens an arrow.
Where is my mind running off on its own right now?
📝Reflection
I long saw mastering the mind as a matter of will — that gritting my teeth would do it. But this verse shows another picture. The fletcher does not scold the bent shaft. He warms it gently, and with patient hands straightens it, again and again. The mind is the same. Not hating or suppressing the quivering mind, but bringing it back to place softly and persistently, like a craftsman's hand. It is no failure if it will not straighten at once. The very repetition of bringing it back is already mastery.
🌱Apply It Today
Each time you notice your mind wandering today, don't scold yourself — just say "again" inwardly and return to now. That "again" is the hand straightening the arrow.
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
