The Gita enlightens and lightens our life-journey
Suppose we are struggling to walk on a dark road while carrying a heavy burden. If the streetlights turn on, we won’t stumble or go [...]
What we look for in the world is not to be found in the world
We all are innately pleasure-seeking. In our quest for pleasure, our senses constantly look for enjoyable objects. Seeking such objects, people travel from one city [...]
The world can crowd Krishna out of our heart – and so can the mind
We may feel, “Today’s passionate world, filled with demanding people and unending to-do lists, distracts me from my spirituality. If only I could live in [...]
The Absolute’s different manifestations reflect his different moods
God is one. While this truth is taught by all theistic traditions, Gita wisdom adds a significant detail: His oneness doesn’t limit him to one [...]
Temptation talks and stalks, relentlessly
Suppose a salesperson tries forcefully to sell us their product and relentlessly follows us wherever we go. We may try their product, but if we [...]
Humility transforms a protest against God into a prayer to God
When we face perplexities or adversities, we may protest, “Why is this happening to me?” And if we accept God as the supreme controller, we [...]
Some know at 9 what others don’t know at 59
Some people, right from their childhood, have strong spiritual inclination. In contrast, others, even when middle-aged or elderly, stay spiritually deadened, being captivated by worldly [...]
Corruption of the intelligence needs correction by the intelligence
The Bhagavad-gita (03.40) states that selfish desire has occupied not just our senses and mind, but also our intelligence. This statement is intriguing because the [...]
We are in a dream, but we are not a dream
Some people say that everything is an illusion, like a dream. Yes, spiritual traditions do compare our present existence to a dream. But such comparison [...]
See pain as a protector and a pointer
Pain is rarely desired, yet it is universally experienced. Seeing its prevalence raises the question, “Why does pain exist at all?” Gita wisdom explains that [...]
See your past not as a curse but as a course
Our past unhealthy indulgences often create unwanted conditionings that keep haunting us. Being tormented by such conditionings, we may start seeing our past as a [...]
Illusion misdirects our determination to drive us deeper into illusion
When we become addicted to some unhealthy habit, we may try to give it up, but may keep relapsing. The illusion of pleasure may be [...]
Humility arises from acknowledging our vulnerability
Some people equate humility with lack of self-respect. However, the humble respect their self so much that they are ready to do whatever it takes [...]
Emptiness in the pursuit of worthy goals is a pointer to the worthiest goal
We all have certain goals: positions, possessions, relations. Such goals are worthier than wantonly sensual goals. Yet while pursuing such worldly goals honorably or even [...]
Devotion fosters absorption, not obsession
Some people accuse devotees, “You have become obsessed with Krishna and irresponsible about everything else.”, It’s sadly true that some devotees become negligent. But such [...]
For the godly, illusion is occasional; for the ungodly, illumination is occasional
We live in a world where illusion reigns. The Bhagavad-gita (02.60) states that illusion can snare even the godly, even those who are discerning and [...]
The best protection from agitation is absorption
We frequently get agitated by life’s ups and downs. However, that agitation is especially aggravated by the forces of desire, fear and anger that reside [...]
The monkey may not be on our back, but it is inside our head
When a hiker is climbing a mountain, suppose a monkey comes, sits on their back and refuses to let go. They would feel burdened, even [...]
Even if we can’t be transfixed, we can still be fixed
To be transfixed is to be captivated, mesmerized, absorbed. The purpose and perfection of devotion is to be transfixed by our love for Krishna. Pure [...]
We may be distracted, but we don’t have to be disheartened
When we try to focus on purposeful service to Krishna, our mind frequently distracts us. On being distracted repeatedly, we may get disheartened. To avoid [...]
Emotion divorced from reason ends in tribulation
The Bhagavad-gita’s beginning demonstrates the devastating power of emotions. When attacked by negative emotions, Arjuna, a battle-hardened warrior, was reduced to tears (02.01) and could [...]