The usage “spirit of matter” is an oxymoron that points to an ox and a moron
An oxymoron is a literary device in which contradictory words are placed together to convey a deeper meaning. The usage ‘the spirit of matter’ is [...]
We are the world’s purpose, but the world is not our purpose
The Bhagavad-gita (07.05) makes the intriguing statement that the living entities sustain the world. If the relevant root-word ‘dhr’ is taken to mean ‘to utilize,’ [...]
The heart of knowledge is the knowledge of the heart
Towards the end of the Bhagavad-gita (18.64), Krishna announces that he will share the most confidential knowledge (sarva guhyatama). Confidential knowledge (guhya) refers to the [...]
The eye can’t find the I as long as the I seeks through the eye
“The eye can’t find the I” means that the eye being material can’t perceive the real I, the soul, which is spiritual. “The I seeks [...]
Devotion’s simplicity is the refuge for the empty-handed, not the subterfuge for the close-fisted
The empty-handed refers to those who have very little material resources. So, when they come to Krishna, they come with next to nothing. Yet Krishna [...]
Express devotion by endeavoring for excellence in service
Devotion is a state of the heart – a state of spontaneous inner attraction to Krishna. Yet that state manifests as outer action too, for [...]
Frustration is unavoidable, but hopelessness isn’t
we feel frustrated when things go wrong. While such frustrations are unavoidable for everyone, they become accentuated to the level of hopeless frustrations for those [...]
Death for the devoted is not destruction, but discharge
Some people ask, “Devotees and non-devotees both have to die – so what’s the use of practicing spirituality with all its restrictions?” That’s like asking: [...]
Gita 01.44 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan After concluding his lamenting he [...]
Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs
When we get doubts, the forces of illusion delude us further into thinking that our doubts are evidences of our intellectual superiority over believers: “I [...]
Gita 02.71 explained
BG 2.71 vihaya kaman yah sarvan pumams carati nihsprihah nirmamo nirahankarah sa santim adhigacchati SYNONYMS vihaya -- giving up; kaman -- material desires for sense [...]
Materialism makes the materialist non-existent and materialism meaningless
People sometimes object to spirituality, saying, “It requires so much faith.” Actually, everything requires faith. Even materialism requires faith – the faith that we ourselves [...]
Social media is no substitute for spiritual media
In our fast-paced techno-centric lifestyle, social media promises to fulfill our social needs. Updates about friends make us feel less lonely. A substantial friend count [...]
Monumental triviality is still a triviality
Some sports fans become so manic that when their favorite team loses, they feel as if it is the end of the world. A few [...]
Revealing our feeling is the beginning of healing
At the start of the Bhagavad-gita (01.29), Arjuna reveals to Krishna the feelings of anxiety and misery that are overwhelming him. Seeking relief, he surrenders [...]
See in the potency of illusion the glory of its master
When we see someone lost in a novel, we infer that an excellent author must have written it. Similarly, when we see people, who are [...]
Expect not the absence of the shadow; embrace the presence of the light
Devotee-seekers sometimes ask, “I am devoting myself to Krishna – why then am I still getting miseries in my life?” Because misery is an intrinsic [...]
Don’t imagine good feelings – realize that there’s so much to feel good about
We all want to feel good. Some people try to feel good by imagining soothing things such as peaceful natural scenery. Such good feeling is [...]
See misery as confirmation of scripture – and as impetus to further confirm scripture
Devotee-seekers sometimes ask, “I am living according to scripture, yet I am getting misery. Why?” The occurrence of misery in our life doesn’t falsify scripture [...]
Rationalization is temptation’s spin-doctor
When we strive to lead a principle-centered life, we reject the temptations that violate our principles. However, temptation doesn’t so easily take no for an [...]
Verbalization doesn’t limit God – it expands our access to him
Some people argue, “God is so great that his glory can’t be put in words – he is ineffable. Verbalizing his glory will limit him.” [...]