Chapter 13: Self-control

 

Chapter 13: Self-control (அடக்கமுடைமை/adakkamudaimai)

Other Translations: Humility;The Possession Of Self-Restraint; Possession of Self-Control

You can see the video with captions here

Self-control is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face

of temptations and impulses. As an executive function, self-control is necessary for regulating

one's behavior in order to achieve specific goals.  Being high in controlling our desires and

impulses is important in achieving the goals we set for ourselves.

In the classic Marshmallow experiment, Walter Mischel and his colleagues gave children a

marshmallow and explained that they would get another one if they managed not to eat

it until the experimenter returned. Those who were able to control their impulses and

delay gratification were found years later to have higher academic achievements (Mischel,

2014). Being able to manage and regulate needs, desires and emotions are thus vital to performing well academically and sticking to tasks.

This chapter talks about a life lived with controlled mind, speech and action. This quality

includes the control of five sense organs, control of speech and control of anger. Self-control

does not mean doing nothing. It means the ability to discriminate between good and bad

deeds, diverting the senses from evil and guiding them towards good deeds. Self-controlled

living represents a life lived without pomp or pride and conducting oneself within proper

Limits.

Habits to Develop: Ability to restrain oneself; avoid the temptation or habit of showmanship

even when facing one of lesser position such as student, employee, younger etc.

Simple paraphrase of the 10 couplets of this chapter 

- largely as expounded by SATGURU SIVAYA SUBRAMUNIYASWAMI in “ Weaver's Wisdom, Ancient Precepts for a Perfect Life”

121. Self-control will place (a man) among the Heavenly Souls; the want of it will drive (him) into the thickest darkness (of hell). (Merit of self-control)

122. Guard your self-control as a precious treasure, for there is no greater wealth in

life than this. (Importance of self-control) 

123. Comprehending and acquiring self-control confers upon one the esteem of wise men. (Merit of self-control)

124. The eminence of one, who doesn’t diverge from the right path and remains restrained,

will be more imposing than a mountain. (Merit of self-control)

125. Humility is a precious quality in all people, but it has a rare richness in the rich. (Humility is the product of self-control)

126. Like a tortoise withdrawing five limbs into its shell, those who restrain the five senses in one life, will find safe shelter for seven. (This couplet tells the importance

of the control of all five senses: (seeing,hearing, touching, smelling, tasting-speaking)

127. Whatever you may fail to guard, guard well your tongue, for flawed speech unfailingly invokes anguish and affliction. (Importance of controlling one’s speech)

128. If there is one word, which produces the results of harmful words,

all good intentions will come to naught. (Importance of controlling one’s speech)

129. The wound caused by fire heals in its time; The burn inflicted by an inflamed tongue never

heals. (Importance of controlling one’s speech)

130. Virtue will wait in the streets to meet a man possessed of learning and self-disciplined, his anger subdued. (This couplet tells the importance of mind/thought/behavior/ange

control) 

Let us continue this topic with discussion on how to develop the will power to Possess self-restraint.