Thought for the Day

Monday 2 February

For the outer sense alone perceives visible things, and the eye of the heart alone sees the invisible.

— Richard of Saint-Victor

Eknath Easwaran's Commentary

The senses – the eyes, ears, touch, and taste – are wonderful instruments for observing the outer world. But these instruments function at their best when they are trained. If they clamor for what is damaging to our health, it is not their fault. It is ours, because we haven’t sent them to school.

“Why do you want to eat that?” we ask the palate in exasperation. “You know it’s going to add to the pounds.”

“I can’t help it,” the palate replies. “You never trained me.”

It may take a long period of education, but the senses can be trained. Then, the palate might clamor briefly for the chocolate mousse, but a friendly “Careful!” brings it back to the fresh strawberries.

The Thought for the Day is today's entry from Eknath Easwaran's Words to Live By.