Maturity means to acknowledge that no one is obliged to fulfill our needs
When infants are hungry, they just cry and expect others to come running to fulfill their need. However, when adults are hungry, they aren’t expected [...]
Intelligence means to know which thoughts to contemplate and which to neglect
Intelligence is essentially the ability to make good choices. For example, IQ tests often assess students’ intelligence based on their ability to choose the right [...]
Humility comes by acknowledging that we don’t have access to Krishna’s plan
Suppose we are driving a car and come to an unexpected intersection. Or suppose we are flying in a plane and suddenly find it turning [...]
Even if we have to live with pain, we don’t have to live in pain
To live with pain means that pain is present within our consciousness; to live in pain means that pain dominates our consciousness, infecting our whole [...]
Don’t just speak philosophy – seek the purpose of philosophy
The Bhagavad-gita (13.12) states that the purpose of philosophy is to understand the true nature of reality (tattva-jnanartha darshanam). Etymologically, philosophy means “love of wisdom” [...]
Don’t let the mind show you what you are missing – show the mind what it is missing
Suppose we are traveling in a plane flying above beautiful natural scenery. A friend sitting next to us is watching a movie and is asking [...]
Spiritual discipline is the road to freedom, not a roadblock
Many people believe that discipline is a roadblock to freedom – if they have to follow rules, they won’t be free to enjoy. But does [...]
Deeming everything an illusion is not liberation – it just makes even liberation an illusion
Some people say, “Everything is an illusion. Those who understand that everything is an illusion attain liberation.” However, if everything were an illusion, how could [...]
Association works, but making it work is our responsibility
If we want to drive to a destination, we need a working car. But just getting the car is not enough – we need to [...]
Life may be filled with problems, but life is not a problem
When faced with many problems, some people may become depressed, even suicidal, “Life itself is one big problem; I just want to end it through [...]
Ignorance of reality may be excusable, ignoring reality isn’t
If we are pulled over for speeding, we may be excused if we didn’t know the speed limit and the road had no speed limit [...]
Humans who pursue subhuman goals become anti-human
We humans are considered the most evolved among all species on our planet. Ironically though, we often cause more destruction than all other species – [...]
Purification reveals the healthier choice to be also the tastier choice
Suppose we have to choose between candies and carrots. Even if we understand that carrots are healthier, we will still crave the candies because they [...]
Seek strength not just in conviction but also in connection
When we strive to grow spiritually, we need strength to resist worldly temptations. How do we gain such strength? We might seek it through the [...]
When emotions appeal within us, be the umpire, not the appealer
In cricket, the fielding players often appeal vociferously, claiming that the batsman is out. The umpire evaluates the appeals based on their merit, not their [...]
Distress is not due to the nature of nature but due to our disharmony with nature
Suppose we get a warning that the weather outside is freezing cold. If we still venture out without wearing any warm clothes, we will naturally [...]
Helping one person may not change the world, but it can change that person’s world
When we aspire to become an agent of positive change in the world, our mind internally and our acquaintances externally may discourage us, “What can [...]
Stop whining that life is not fair – start working with life as it is
Life sometimes gives us a raw deal. Despite working hard, we get no breaks; instead, we find our dreams breaking down. While such situations are [...]
Analyze disposition to clarify status, not justify status quo
When we interact with people, we soon notice that we all are different. What makes us different? Our dispositions. Gita wisdom explains that our dispositions [...]
To argue that the truth is unknowable is to presume that it is knowable
Some skeptics look for flaws in all philosophies, especially philosophies that strive to explain the nature and purpose of existence. They argue that all such [...]
As long as our functional core differs from our constitutional core, we stay in delusion
Our functional core refers to the thing that is central to the way we function, whereas our constitutional core refers to the thing that is [...]