To be purposeless is to be powerless
We need a strong sense of purpose to translate whatever talents we have into tangible achievements. However, even if we have a purpose and even [...]
We may trigger the inner light bulb, but we don’t power it
The metaphor of a light bulb is widely used to convey the appearance of an inner insight, as is depicted in cartoons with the pop-up [...]
We need liberation from the compulsion for self-destruction
We all have an inbuilt self-destruction button. For example, in sports such as cricket, an in-form batsman who is leading his team to a comfortable [...]
Tap the mind’s power – don’t be trapped by the mind’s power
We all know of powerful things that can help or harm. Consider electricity, for example. It can heat, cool, cook, transport and illuminate. But if [...]
Use intelligence to see beyond appearance
Some people argue, “Seeing is believing.” They deride as unintelligent those who believe in invisible things such as the soul or God. However, the defining [...]
The key to training ourselves, and trusting ourselves, is small steps, carried out
When we have to do something challenging, we may struggle and falter. And if this happens repeatedly, we may lose confidence and give up. To [...]
The purpose of religion is not cosmetic, but cosmic
Many people practice religion for cosmetic purposes – they want to look good in society’s eyes. They may visit temples on holy days, treating such [...]
To inspire improvement, offer encouragement, not judgment
When we see others doing something wrong, we often feel impelled to judge and correct them. This impulse becomes even stronger if we happen to [...]
Combination of inner recollection and outer contribution nourishes devotion
Some people think of devotion as an impractical, sentimental, other-worldly obsession. However, the Bhagavad-gita’s context refutes this caricature of devotion. The Gita’s student, Arjuna, wanted [...]
The Gita empowers Arjuna to win his inner war and enrich himself with wisdom
When warriors fight a formidable enemy, they often inspire themselves by dreaming of the wealth they will gain on winning. Similarly, when we fight the [...]
Learn to ground emotions in reason and reality
Our emotions are extremely powerful and extremely fickle – they can change suddenly and unpredictably, and can destroy our determination and indeed our entire life. [...]
Spirituality stills the mind and fills the soul
When starting spiritual life, we may expect different things. Some people expect to levitate; some, to see a mystical light, some, to acquire an aura. [...]
Hate may be an unavoidable emotion, but hatefulness is an avoidable disposition
When some people hurt us and delight in doing so, we may naturally feel anger and hate. Even if such hate is unavoidable, we needn’t [...]
Replacing addiction to sinfulness with addiction to self-righteousness is not progress
When we start practicing bhakti, we often experience amazing transformation – even without much effort on our part, sinful habits to which we may have [...]
Work not to run away from yourself – work to realize yourself
Work can be a responsible-seeming way to stay irresponsible. When we succumb to workaholism, work becomes our rationale for neglecting life’s other important aspects, such [...]
We can’t know what the future holds, but we can know who holds the future
We dream of a bright future, but also dread a dark one: what if we lose our job, health or a loved one? Given that [...]
When we realize our deepest identity, we fulfill our highest destiny
When we are born, we get a conception of identity based on our gender, complexion, dynasty, nationality. Associated with this identity comes a conception of [...]
Gita 08.20 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Now Krishna after describing this material [...]
Our life’s quality is determined not by how we look, but by what we look forward to
We are often obsessed with our looks. Undoubtedly, how we look matters, especially in today’s materialistic society where people are judged by their appearances. We [...]
The spiritual world exists not just at a different location but at a different level of reality
The Bhagavad-gita informs us about the spiritual world, which is the ultimate destination for us as souls. This spiritual world is sometimes shown to be [...]
Our mind is influential, but it is also influenceable
Our mind has an enormous influence on us – when we are thinking of one thing, it can take our thoughts in an entirely different [...]