Using our ears better helps us better use the thing between our ears
The thing between our ears is our brain, which idiomatically refers to our intelligence. Though we all have intelligence, we don’t always act intelligently; we [...]
Morality may be relativized, but the consequences of immoral indulgence can’t be relativized
Today’s culture revels in moral relativism. People reject the existence of objective moral principles; they argue that whatever makes them feel good is good, and [...]
Our resoluteness rests on the readiness of our answer to the mind’s “Why not?”
When we make resolutions to stop doing something negative, we often relapse. Why is that? Because we usually don’t have a ready answer to the [...]
Nature’s regularity is not an intrinsic necessity; it points to an overseeing divinity
Suppose a poultry farmer puts food in the poultry enclosure every morning at 6 am. On observing this happening repeatedly, a cock declares, “Food comes [...]
Our satisfaction is determined more by the location of our consciousness than the location of our house
When people want to buy a house, they often long to get one in an expensive locality, hoping that the prestige thereof will make them [...]
Know when to be hard with yourself and when gentle
When we resolve to lead a principle-centered life, abstaining from indulgence, we sometimes relapse. Irritated, we may beat ourselves up: “Why was I so stupid [...]
Gita 11.39 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan First there is glorification going [...]
Choosing Krishna is the one choice that empowers us to make better choices
Our life is determined largely by our choices. The choices we make are like the turns we take while driving; those turns determine whether we [...]
Direct the whole heart towards the heart of the Whole
We all long to love and be loved. Where does this longing come from? And how can it be best fulfilled? This longing can’t come [...]
For changing internals, changing externals is almost always necessary and almost never sufficient
Consider an alcoholic who wishes to give up alcoholism. Breaking free from the addiction is ultimately an inner resolution that they need to make and [...]
Integration inspires integrity
To live with integrity means to commit to live according to certain principles and thereafter conscientiously live accordingly. Integrity is best inspired by integration. For [...]
As soon as we stop working constructively, our mind starts working destructively
We often do things that we regret later. If we look back at why we did those things, we will notice that some voice within [...]
Craving can’t be curbed, but cravings can be cured
We all are conscious beings. The very nature of consciousness is to observe, feel and desire. And desire when intensified becomes a craving. Cravings can [...]
The Gita is a revelation of love and an invitation to love
Some people feel apprehensive about studying the Bhagavad-gita: “It contains a lot of complicated philosophy.” Yes, the Gita is a profoundly philosophical book and its [...]
We may be taken aback, but we don’t have to go back
When things turn out opposite to our expectations, we mentally shrink back, being surprised or shocked. Such an inner reaction is described by the idiom [...]
Introspection distances us from our situations and our emotions
Sometimes, people do things that provoke us, and we react angrily. But our kneejerk reaction only worsens the situation, which we realize after the passage [...]
Sensuality is the rust that blunts the axe of our consciousness
Woodcutters who try to cut trees with a blunt axe waste their time. Taking time out to sharpen the axe is prudent. How can we [...]
Culture is meant to instill values, not instigate cravings
We all are shaped by the culture of our times. In today’s world, the culture is extremely sensual and materialistic. Consider, for example, the contemporary [...]
Reality is not as rosy as our dreams, but neither is it as scary as our nightmares
We often see life with rose-tinted glasses because of the media propaganda that unending sensual bliss is available through worldly enjoyment. These fantasies are deflated [...]
Seek God not just in the privacy of the heart but also the activity of the world
Some people think that to seek God, we must renounce the world, go to a secluded place in a forest and meditate on him in [...]
Mental blocks block far more than road blocks
While driving, if we find a road block, we can’t just deny or wish it away – we need to practically deal with it, either [...]