Propinquity literally means proximity, the state of closeness to something. In psychology, propinquity studies analyze the effect of time and distance on human behavior.

Suppose a hotel serves our favorite unhealthy delicacy. If that hotel happens to be on the way during our daily commute, we may find ourselves bingeing on that delicacy even before we realize that we have entered into that hotel and placed our order. But suppose the hotel is an hour’s drive away from our regular route. We may still feel tempted. But the mind is naturally lazy – it tends to the path of least resistance. Because of the distance, time and labor involved in getting to that delicacy, it may well say, “Forget it; maybe some other time.”

Applying this principle of propinquity, we can increase the distance and time between us and the tempting objects we wish to eschew. The Bhagavad-gita (02.58) urges us to withdraw our senses from the sense objects just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell.

Of course, such practices are not foolproof; if a desire consumes us, then we may slave dozens of hours and travel scores of miles to fulfill it. Still, obstacles of distance and time can help us curb casual or circumstantial desires.

Additionally and more consequentially, we can use propinquity to get do the things we know are good for us. For example, suppose we wish to memorize scriptural passages. Tapping the principle of propinquity, we can keep those passages easily accessible, say, as physical flash cards in our pocket or floating stickies on our phone. The more readily accessible they are, the less excuses the lazy mind will have for not memorizing them. Over time, memorization will become habitual, natural and relishable.

By personalized propinquitous cultivation of positive habits, we can grow easier and faster.

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