Guarding the Sense Doors Reduces Gaps in the Mind

In the Dhammapada there is a teaching that, just as a turtle draws its legs and head into its shell, a practitioner should carefully guard the six sense doors.

When the doors of eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind open, we see, hear, and feel, and it is easy to create new attachment and discrimination. Through those gaps suffering enters, and the mind is shaken.

This does not mean we should live by blocking the senses. It means that when seeing, we see, and when hearing, we hear, while wisely guarding the mind so we are not dragged away by them. Like a turtle, we need to know how to protect ourselves when protection is needed.

Today, may we remain awake as we guard the six sense doors, and carefully watch so suffering does not enter through the gaps in the mind.