When we say no to God, it’s mostly because we don’t know God
Contemporary society has largely said no to God — not so much by denying his existence as by relegating him to irrelevance. Most people nowadays [...]
If we are defeated by temptation, it doesn’t mean we can’t win — it just means we can’t win alone
Suppose we resolve to reject a temptation, but fail, and fail repeatedly. We may become disheartened thinking, “I can never win against this temptation.” Our [...]
Gita 06.36 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 33-37: Dealing with the mind, the [...]
To perceive God, we don’t need any instrument; we only need to become his instrument
On seeing impressive scientific instruments, we may wonder, “Can science develop an instrument sophisticated enough to perceive God?” That’s like asking: will a future telescope [...]
Gita 18.42 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan So let us look at [...]
Evil has no independent power, yet it is incredibly powerful
When people do horrible things, we may wonder, “Where does such evil come from? Are some people innately evil? Or are they impelled to evil [...]
Gita 18.41 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Now when the problem is [...]
To love values is good, to value love is better, to love the source of all values and love is the best
The world is becoming increasingly materialistic and opportunistic. Such people often have no purpose or value beyond the gratification of their sensual desires (Bhagavad-gita 16.07). [...]
There is a purpose for everything we experience, even the things we don’t want to experience
Suppose we are forced to go through certain experiences that we just didn’t want to go through. When such things happen, it’s natural to feel [...]
Our individuality is defined not by what we wear, but by what we hold dear
We live in an age that urges us to ‘be yourself’. And such a call to affirm our individuality can be good, provided it is [...]
See God’s love in the resources he provides for our spiritual evolution, not the resources he provides for our material gratification
Some people ask, “If God loves us, why does he interfere with our enjoyment?” God doesn’t interfere with our enjoyment; he helps us infer what [...]
Our attachments are like a rented house that we don’t usually leave unless we are evicted
Our attachments are our mental home – that’s where our thoughts go by default when we have nothing to think about, just as we physically [...]
The more outer power we get, the more inner power we need
Today technology has increased enormously the outer power accessible to us humans. By a few clicks, we can change the temperature around us, talk with [...]
To be truly non-judgmental, stop being judgmental about those who are judgmental
If we are judgmental, we make snap judgments about people. We blame them for actions that were almost inevitable for them given their circumstances which [...]
Even if others don’t take us seriously, still we can take ourselves seriously
Suppose we have an important suggestion that can improve a project we are a part of. But our inputs aren’t allowed or asked or acknowledged [...]
The more we become conscious of where our consciousness is, the more we can tap the power of our consciousness
We are always conscious, but we aren’t always conscious of where our consciousness is. Our consciousness is our most undervalued resource. Whatever we do, learn, [...]
To take the task of training the mind seriously, stop taking everything it says seriously
Suppose we have a child. If we take the responsibility of caring for and training the child seriously, we won’t take everything the child says [...]
God’s transcendence means that he is free from taking sides – and free for taking sides
Some people ask, “Is God impartial? If so, then why does Krishna take the Pandavas’ side in Mahabharata?” Yes, God is impartial. He is transcendental [...]
Individuality breeds creativity and spirituality, individualism breeds self-obsession and self-destruction
We live in an individualistic culture. To understand its positives and negatives, let’s differentiate between two terms: individualism and individuality. Individualism refers to the mindset [...]
Condescension looks down at others while laughing at them; compassion lifts others up while laughing with them
Suppose someone walking on a road slips and falls into a manhole. If onlookers laugh without helping, that would be terrible. To laugh at others [...]
Gita 18.28 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 18.28 ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabdhaḥ [...]