Ulysses and Orpheus - how to deal with temptation

I have read recently the Greek myth of Ulysses and the sirens. It is actually all about resisting temptation. I thought I would share it here.
In Greek mythology sirens are beautiful creatures that live on an island in the Adriatic Sea. Their beautiful singing regularly lured sailors on passing ships to come close to the point where their boats were destroyed on the rocks. Many ships were lost and sailors killed by succumbing to the sirens song.
When Odysses was planning to sail past the island of the sirens, he prepared by ordering all of his men to fill their ears with wax so that they could not hear the sirens. He then had them tie him to the mast of the boat so that he would not jump overboard to swim to the sirens. However, when he did get close to the sirens, he was entranced by their singing and ordered his men to release him so he could swim to the sirens. They didn't - they just bound him more tightly (great accountability partners!!).
In the another story involving Jason and the Argonauts, Jason had a different approach. He took with him on his journey Orpheus, whose sweet singing drowned out the singing of the sirens.

These 2 stories represent different approaches to temptation. One is making sure we can’t give in. Gritting our teeth and making sure we stay away from temptation until the cravings subside.
The other approach is to have other things in our lives that are actually much more appealing that the sirens call. Family and friends. Hobbies and interest. Exercise. Spiritual practices and meditation.

I think both approaches can work and have a place in our struggle again PMO. I hope this helps.
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