Master the Mind 

A Christian priest learned a lesson in sense control from the driver of a horse carriage in which he was traveling. The priest noticed that the driver was beating the horse severely as they were approaching a railway crossing. Taking pity on the animal, the priest asked the driver why he was beating the horse unnecessarily. The driver explained that at the level crossing there were some white painted stones which caused a fright in the horse. He was beating the animal as the horse was more afraid of the whip than of the white stones. The priest learned that diverting the mind away from one undesirable thought is the way to turn it in the desirable direction. 

The senses have been compared to pashu (animals) whose vision is externally oriented. Man should strive to be a Master of the senses and not their slave. For this purpose, first of all, man should not pamper the senses. Man should realize that the pleasure derived from the senses is momentary and ends only in grief. If the senses are kept busy the right way, there will be no trouble from them. 

       ~Baba