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Beset by temptation, lured by greed, we have to learn from the tortoise how to withdraw.

But withdrawal isn’t retiring to the forests. It is living in love. A monk had a disciple who yearned for enlightenment. He sat, day and night, in a cave, in meditation. After a year, he told his master, “I’m ready.” To test him, the master instructed a beautiful girl to enter his cave and embrace him. The girl returned, howling. She had been beaten for her impudence. To the smug disciple, the master pronounced, “You failed. Granted, you didn’t give in to passion, but where was your compassion?”

Withdrawal doesn’t mean to stop possessing things. It is to stop being a collector of useless trifles. A guru’s disciple presented him a bag of gold coins. The guru asked, “Have you more coins?” “Yes!” “Are you attached to them?” “Certainly!” “Then keep these too, for your need is greater than mine. Since I have nothing and desire nothing, I am wealthier than you.”

Withdrawal doesn’t mean being in a state of inaction. It is to perform every action with consciousness of its consequence. A rich Muslim entered a mosque, leaving his expensive sandals on the street. When he emerged, they were gone. “How foolish!” he exclaimed, “By carelessly leaving my footwear, I made someone steal them. I could have given them away. Now, I’ve created a thief.”

Withdrawal isn’t lack of pride. It is lack of ego. A guru was so wise that all who came to him were enriched. One disciple had such firm faith in him that he uttered the guru’s name and walked over the waters to the wonderment of all. The next day, filled with arrogance at his immense powers, the guru stepped onto the waters, shouting aloud, “I! I!” Immediately, he sank.

Withdrawal is, in reality, to live, to act, to breathe in the only way possible - the spirit of surrender. When Mother Teresa first went around soliciting assistance for the needy, she was looked upon suspiciously. At one shop, the shopkeeper spat on her outstretched palm. She closed it, saying, “This is for me.” Stretching out her other palm, she said, “What will you give Jesus?"