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 [...]
Lust doesn’t need a hideout – it has a hide-in
When soldiers near their target, they often look for a hideout. But if those soldiers have already penetrated into the enemy ranks and have therein [...]
The unlikeliness of the Gita’s setting underscores the urgency of its message
Suppose a cricket World Cup final match is about to start. Thousands of spectators have assembled and are cheering; the fielders are in place; and [...]
In bhakti, to talk is also to walk the talk
When people just speak about lofty principles of living without exhibiting any tangible improvement in character or behavior, others may chide them, “Don’t just talk [...]
Don’t overthink yourself into paralysis
Our mind often makes us go to extremes in whatever we do, even in the basic activity of thinking. Sometimes, it makes us impulsive, whereby [...]
Bhakti is pragmatic, not dogmatic
The essence of bhakti is the outflow of the human heart’s love towards the divine and the inflow of the divine’s love into the human [...]
Great gifts don’t guarantee greatness
We may sometimes feel sorry for ourselves because of not having any great gifts as some others have. We may feel, “If only I had [...]
Be too intelligent to fall for the hero business
Becoming a hero is the business of most people’s lives. And they frequently pursue this business by trying to become better than others, by becoming [...]
Don’t look over temptation – overlook it
Our eyes hunger for alluring sense objects. On seeing such objects, we look over them, sometimes again and again. Wanting to extract as much pleasure [...]
Remission is not elimination
Suppose a patient’s serious disease such as cancer goes into remission, that is, decreases in severity. But if the patient imagines themselves healed and stop [...]
Longing is the test of taste
Suppose during our childhood we had regularly visited an enjoyable place, but during our ensuing life’s many activities, have forgotten how wonderful that place was. [...]