Thought for the Day
Topic: Thought for the day

A Thought for the Day From Sri Eknath Easwaran
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February 27

The body is mortal, but the person dwelling in the body is immortal
and immeasurable. - Bhagavad Gita

When I say that this body is not me, I am not making an intellectual
statement. It is an experiential statement. If you were to ask me,
"Who is this body?" I would make an awful pun: "This is my buddy. I
give him good food and good exercise, and I look after him very well,
but he is not me." My body has always been my faithful buddy, through
many trials, and during many difficult times; and I let him know how
much I appreciate his faithful service. We have an understanding: I
take very good care of him, and he looks up to me as the boss.

As Saint Francis used to say, "This body is Brother Donkey. I feed
him, I wash him, but I am going to ride on him." Whenever we use
drugs, or smoke, or drink, or even overeat, the donkey is riding on
us. The mystics challenge us: "Don't you want to get that donkey off
your back and ride on it?"

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>From Eknath Easwaran, "Words to Live By" (Nilgiri Press, 1997)
http://www.nilgiri.org/Html/Thoughts/today.html

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