Bhakti transforms our solitary struggle with the mind into a cooperative conquest
“What is the best way to control the mind?” To this universal question of all spiritual seekers, the Bhagavad-gita answers: bhakti-yoga. Let’s see how and [...]
It takes great intelligence to recognize that intelligence is not great enough
Some people feel that the path of bhakti is too simplistic: “If we just do what Krishna tells, then how are we doing justice to [...]
The assumption of responsibility in our inner life begins with challenging our assumption about our inner life
Our spiritual advancement centers on our taking greater responsibility for our inner life. This assumption of responsibility begins with challenging a core assumption about our [...]
Temptation induces the pretender’s mask to fall and the seeker’s guard to rise
As spiritual seekers, we aspire to follow the principles of moral and spiritual integrity given in the scriptures. But due to our past conditionings we [...]
Faith generated by miracles is not as consequential as the miracle generated by faith
Some religions call for faith based on the miracles that happened at their inception, say, the resurrection of their founder from the dead. Atheists contest [...]
As a basis of faith, miracles may supplement, but not supplant, philosophy
Miracles are integral to the lore of the world’s religions. God’s miraculous interventions to protect his beleaguered devotees bolster the faith of not just those [...]
Those who base their faith on miracles confuse the supernatural with the Supreme
Some people feel that their faith in God will be boosted if they see miracles performed by him. In fact, many people accept some godmen [...]
Philosophy should expand our human sensitivity, not shrink it
In the Bhagavad-gita (02.11), Krishna chides Arjuna for lamenting the imminent death of his relatives in the impending war. Yet, when Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu was [...]
Let intelligence guard the path from impulse to intent
Impulse is an urge that comes to us, sometimes without our conscious bidding. Intent is a decision that comes out of us, with at least some level of conscious [...]
Indulgence makes our bonds thicker, rougher and tighter
When anti-devotional worldly pleasures tempt and torment us repeatedly, we may feel that indulging in them will bring relief, getting them out of our way. [...]
The purpose of establishing dharma in the world is to establish us in dharma
One of the Gita’s most-quoted verses (04.08) describes how Krishna descends to establish dharma. Less quoted, but no less significant is the next verse declaring [...]
See the sufferings of the attached with compassion, not condescension
Some spiritualists equate spiritual advancement with apathy towards all human emotions. When they see others afflicted by emotions such as agony at the loss of loved [...]
Feel-good without think-good and act-good is no good
Some people, especially those influenced by new-age notions, equate spirituality with a feel-good laissez-faire: “Whatever makes you feel good is spiritual – no need to bother [...]
The mind is a taskmaster, not a task manager
A task manager is a software program that enables computer users to monitor the processes at work on their device. A taskmaster, on the other [...]
The mind that is clean is serene
Our high-speed stress-filled urbanized culture makes peace of mind a wanted but elusive commodity. Many people think that going to a peaceful setting such as [...]
Krishna is our source not chronologically, but ontologically
Some people ask: “If we souls are eternal, as is Krishna, then how can he be our source?” The Bhagavad-gita itself presents both viewpoints before [...]
Scripture doesn’t take away our freedom of choice, but gives us choice of another freedom
People sometimes resent scriptural guidance: “If I am constantly told to do this and to not do that, won’t that take away my freedom of [...]
Don’t just punish lust-dominated individuals; purify lust-tormented individuals
The Bhagavad-gita’s flow contains many leaps of thought that when understood using the commentaries of devotionally adept Gita teachers provide precious insights into life and [...]
Miracles are not against science; they are above science
Many scientifically educated people balk at the mention of miracles such as Krishna’s lifting of Govardhan hill. To them, such things seem blatantly unscientific, even [...]
Humility doesn’t take away our self-respect; it helps us respect the self
Some people feel that humility is demeaning, that it takes away their self-respect. This feeling stems from their misunderstanding that humility means to let oneself [...]
To understand Krishna, stand under Krishna
Can we finite beings ever understand infinite Krishna? By our capacity, no. By Krishna’s grace, yes. Let’s see how. Krishna is like the sun, whereas [...]