Detachment is foundational for emotional intelligence
Some people think that detachment sentences us to emotion-less living. Actually, the cause of an emotionally barren existence is not detachment per se, but the [...]
Bhakti theology goes beyond polytheism and monotheism to polymorphic bi-monotheism
Conventional Western thought divided the world’s religions into polytheistic and monotheistic. The monotheistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam viewed derisively the polytheistic religions [...]
The Gita is a dharmic book that asks us to give up dharma – or does it?
The Bhagavad-gita (18.66) concludes with an intriguing call: Give up all religions (sarva-dharman parityajya). This begs the question – why would a religious book ask [...]
Spiritual success depends on stamina, not speed
In a sprint, speed determines success, whereas in a marathon, stamina determines success. Spiritual growth is a marathon, not a sprint. To purify our consciousness [...]
Don’t let the stray lead you astray
Suppose we are walking, and someone approaches and asks us to come with them somewhere. We wouldn’t just go along nonchalantly – we would first [...]
A lot is happening when nothing seems to be happening
When people meet each other, they often ask, “What’s happening?” And one reply may be, “Not much.” When people talk about happenings, they usually refer [...]
Gita 09.27 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan But the question comes what [...]
Surrender is expressed through not just helplessness but also readiness
The quintessential image of surrender is the chaste Draupadi, raising her hands in utter helplessness while being disrobed and calling out to Krishna for protection. [...]
You are no stranger to God
If we need to approach an important person for some help, we will hesitate if we had no prior relationship with him. But if he [...]
Gita 09.25 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan So Krishna will give a [...]
Don’t uproot in doubt what was planted in faith
Suppose a person carefully plants saplings in a garden. But, on seeing no fruits forthcoming and thinking impatiently that no fruits will ever come, that [...]
Gita 09.24 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Krishna is Lord of all [...]
The best is not as important as the best for you
Suppose someone places a persimmon in competition with an apple and tries to make it the best apple. Not only will they fail, but also [...]
Gita 09.23 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Now Krishna will talk about [...]
Our role in doing things is contributive, not decisive
We do things all the time, yet we don’t often think of the various factors that go into things working out well. The Bhagavad-gita (18.14) [...]
The notion of doership is not an illusion – the notion of sole doership is
An oft-quoted Bhagavad-gita verse (03.27) asserts that those who think of themselves as doers are deluded. But we all intuitively perceive of ourselves as doers [...]
Thinking is not just a matter of thinking
Self-help literature often exhorts people to avoid pessimism and to think positive. Such exhortations, even when well-intentioned, frequently overlook the reality that thoughts can’t be [...]
Gita 09.20 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan So now Krishna will talk [...]
Asking who made God is like trying to draw a square circle
People often ask, “Who made God?” This question betrays a fundamental lack of understanding about the very definition of God. Every subject begins with certain [...]
Gita 09.19 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Krishna continues to mention how [...]
Don’t let the small picture blind you to the big picture
In the spiritual context, the small picture refers to the daily struggles that characterize our inner and outer lives as seekers. And the big picture [...]