Appreciating Krishna’s immanence integrates recollection and participation
The Bhagavad-gita’s directive (08.07) – always remember Krishna and do your prescribed duty – raises the question: “How can we do both simultaneously? If we [...]
Seek not to be enjoyers or achievers; seek to be cooperators
Spiritual literature often talk about the inner war in the hearts of seekers: the war between our higher self and our lower self – between [...]
Comprehension of scripture comes by absorption, not projection
The Bhagavad-gita, being a widely respected book, is often misappropriated by people with their own agendas. Such people cherry-pick the Gita’s verses to suit their [...]
Spiritual growth comes by improving our mental model, not our physical posture
Some people treat as spiritually advanced those who are able to sit for long in difficult yogic postures (asanas). Expertise in asanas underscores the body’s [...]
The mind’s spells make our life a waking nightmare
Suppose we have a nightmare in which someone is strangling us. We try desperately to resist, but find ourselves being increasingly asphyxiated. Just as we [...]
Others don’t endanger our liberty as much as do we ourselves
The news often reports people protesting vehemently against any law that seems draconian, that threatens their liberty. Dictatorial regimes that curtail individual rights often earn [...]
Humility propels us on the journey from self-absorption to Krishna-absorption
People sometimes ask, “Isn’t humility demeaning and disempowering to oneself?” No, actual humility is elevating and empowering, freeing us from self-absorption in all its forms, [...]
Be not eager for the meager
Suppose someone invited us for a feast and then delivered food so meager that it wouldn’t satisfy even a squirrel. If they invited and under-delivered [...]
Even if bhakti is not joyful, it is still fruitful
When we hear scriptural descriptions about the immense, intense bliss of bhakti, we may get the question, “Is this for real?” This question may become [...]
Commitment is the complement of talent, not its replacement
A contemporary debate centers on the source of genius: Do geniuses become geniuses because of their inborn talent? Or can hard work make anyone a [...]
Constancy of purpose often necessitates change of strategy
India dominated world hockey from the 1920s to the 1970s. Its success came from its wizard-like expertise in using the hockey stick. But after artificial [...]
Don’t just take in the diagnosis – take the prescription too
Suppose a person, during a routine medical checkup, finds that they have a dangerous disease. If the disease is also complex to understand, their head [...]