Deception is easy when you want to deceive yourself

Simply wishing that you be able to surrender to your supersoul is not sufficient. There must be discipline in the way you live, discipline in your dietary and eating habits, and regular practice of meditation.

Only then can your body be converted from simply a source of sensual experiences into a conduit for spiritual progress.

My words and value system do not match my actions sometimes. This means that I live in illusion. There is a gap between what I like to think I believe and what I actually believe. How am I deceiving myself?

When my friends talk about "cool" things, which I know will take me away from self-discipline, I ignore my inner beliefs and agree with them about a lot of things in order to conform to the image that society has built for a youngster.

I have somehow given up on myself and lost hope of being able to walk on the challenging path of truth. I consider myself unfit, unready, and weak. Worldly pleasures and the reassuring acceptance from friends and relatives are quite alluring. I want to consider these things the goal of my existence. Why is the greatest passion of my life my greatest failure now? I am trying to "live it up," but I know that great lessons lie in store for me.

I am so used to lip balm that I will be miserable when I don't have access to it. I have set myself up. When misery strikes, I will not be prepared. I will not be able to remain calm and peaceful through life's journey. My myriad likes and dislikes, insatiable desires, and fears will imprison me further in illusion.

I must focus on my goal. I must make honest efforts. No more ignoring what I know is the truth.

I must remind myself of the truth everyday. My sleep seems to erase what I know.