Add the discipline bit (which he had in spades) and I think you may have something there. I'm struggling a bit thinking of the correct word here; satisfaction and contentment come to mind, as well as un-settled mind when dissatisfied.

It all seems to boil down to the mind, and where you stand on the mind-body (none?) issue. These days I'm tending to be far more accepting of the unified view that dispenses with the duality.

The un-settled mind is prone to distraction, naturally.