Confusion in attribution obscures illumination – end confusion with devotion
People ask: “If God, the creator of the world, is good, why is there so much evil in the world?” The question reveals a fundamental [...]
Seek shelter to wear the armor, use the armor to feel the shelter
People often ask: “What is the use of remembering Krishna?” It acts as a shelter and as armor. As a shelter, it helps us rest [...]
Life is not a fixed match, but Krishna can help us fix it
In a fixed match, things are orchestrated to produce a predetermined result. Is life a fixed match? Is everything destined? No, indicates the Bhagavad-gita (18.63) [...]
The words will change us – provided we don’t change the words
When a doctor writes a prescription, those words are meant to change the patient by curing the disease. But if the patient changes the words [...]
We may fall down, but we don’t have to fall away
Falling down means that due to our past conditionings or present circumstances, we succumb to temptation. In contrast, falling away means that we give up [...]
Don’t reduce the spiritual to the practical; let the spiritual expand the practical
“That’s not practical.” We may thus dismiss forms of spirituality that require commitment like devotional service. We usually consider as practical that which requires little [...]
Remembrance of Krishna’s immanence brings resilience during our march to transcendence
We naturally think of those close to us. People can be close physically or emotionally. Because our senses perceive the physical reality around us, our [...]
Krishna knows the ultimate inside story – and he keeps it inside
Inside stories frequently make big news. The sleazier the story, the bigger the news. The drive for leaking such stories comes not just from money; [...]
Seek not moments of devotion; seek momentum in devotion
In an elevator, what gets us to the destination quickly is the motion of the elevator, not our emotion during the elevation. Bhakti-yoga is like [...]
What comes fast doesn’t last; what does last doesn’t come fast
Our culture allures us with the promise of immediate pleasure: “Eat this, smell this, touch this – and you will enjoy real fast.” Material pleasures [...]
The world is a hospital; be hospitable to the doctor
Patients admitted in a hospital know that the doctor’s counsel is essential for their recovery. If some patients were inhospitable to the doctor, we would [...]
Ignite the light that makes the inner world bright and right
Whenever power goes off, the darkness makes us tentative, insecure, even paralytic. No wonder we constantly strive to keep our outer world well lit. Yet [...]
Do not ensure heart breaks; insure against heart breaks
Where our heart is, that’s where we are. Usually, our heart is in material things; we long for them fervently. As all material things are [...]
Seek not higher material happiness, seek higher than material happiness
We want to make things better, to make our life better, to make the world better. This urge for betterment drives our various activities – [...]
Complement spirit with spirituality for complete success
“I will never give up; I will keep fighting till I succeed.” Those with such spirit who succeed against insurmountable odds often become heroes. Fierce [...]
Krishna speaks about his glories not to prove his position but to improve our disposition
Some people ask: “Why does Krishna insist repeatedly in the Bhagavad-gita readers that he is God? Why does he need to prove his position?” Because [...]
Those who overestimate their intelligence underutilize their potential
When things go wrong, we may appeal to Krishna for help. If no help appears forthcoming, we may doubt Krishna: “Why doesn’t he help me?” [...]
Focus on how close you are, not how far you are
Our struggles as a devotee-seeker may dishearten us: “I have no love for Krishna. Even when I pray, chant or take darshan, my mind goes [...]
Strive more for the gift of presence than the presence of gifts
We express our love for others through gifts. In spiritual life too, we can express our devotion to Krishna through gifts – donations offered, contributions [...]
Krishna is not just the object of meditation but also its objective
Object of meditation refers to the thing that we meditate on. Objective of meditation refers to the thing that we want to get by meditating. [...]
The more we expect meditation to be a break from hard work, the more meditation becomes hard work
Our daily life, with its many obligations, requires hard work. So, if we make time to meditate, we expect meditation to serve as a break, [...]