Daily Meditation
"The secret of self-mastery lies in a very simple rule: do not
allow certain thoughts or feelings to take hold in your head or
your heart, for it is then too late to prevent the consequences.
To replace one thought with another is relatively easy; to
replace one feeling with another is less so. As for replacing
one action – the product of thoughts and feelings – with another
action, this is difficult! The further you descend into matter,
the deeper you enter into the realm of habits, which are like
second nature.
It is easier to change one's scientific, philosophical or
religious opinions (in fact, sometimes we change them
instantaneously) than to change one's hatred, love, affection or
lusts. And it is still harder to change one's habits, for these
are incrusted with matter, with our own matter. If you are to
gain mastery over your actions, you must begin by gaining
mastery over your thoughts."
Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov