Avoid hell in the mind, avoid hell in the world
Some people think of hell as merely a belief of some religious groups. Others think of hell as merely a physical location meant for the [...]
Why applying what we know is so important
As is often said, knowledge is power. But where exactly does the power of knowledge lie? Not just in its informational content, but in its [...]
How being courageous is different from being fearless
Suppose someone shows no fear even in the presence of great danger. We may appreciate that person as incredibly courageous, but would that lack of [...]
Why are we studying spirituality?
We now live in an age where education has become very structured and systematized, wherein educational success is measured through certificates and accolades. While certification [...]
When devotion doesn’t feel good …
Suppose a disease weakens us and kills our appetite. If we are provided a healing and energizing medicine, we don’t have to feel hungry to [...]
Gita 13.29 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Next verse Krishna says what [...]
The importance of doing something we love
During our daily life, we often face struggles and setbacks. Additionally, our consumer culture aggressively displays before us countless things that we don’t have. Both [...]
What intelligence can and can’t do in bhakti
What intelligence can’t do: On the devotional path, the ultimate success and the immediate process both center on a personal loving relationship with the Lord. [...]
Two views of the role of intelligence in bhakti
Bhakti practitioners often view intelligence ambivalently. On a negative side, they feel that overuse of intelligence may make them dry jnanis, critical intellectuals bereft of [...]
A likely feature of our likely future
Few technological advances have changed our daily lives as much as smartphones. Though phones have made many routine activities easier for us, we may have [...]
How remembrance of Krishna is the ultimate spiritual superfood
Superfoods provide multiple benefits, which fall into two broad categories: increasing our energy and decreasing our vulnerability to diseases. Let’s understand how remembrance of Krishna [...]
Our mind as an Alzheimer’s patient
Suppose we are the main caregiver for a dear relative suffering from Alzheimer's. When they become non-communicative or even violent, we will be concerned, but [...]
So boring or sobering?
Suppose we are traveling by boat through a vast ocean and we hear a weather warning on the boat radio, “The water ahead is stormy; [...]
Going beyond counting our blessings
Counting our blessings is an oft-recommended activity for cultivating gratitude and positivity: When we count our blessings, we learn to appreciate what we have and [...]
Why counting our blessings is so transformational
Count your blessings – this oft-repeated exhortation can seem cliched. To appreciate its potency, let’s consider two significant benefits of counting our blessings. Feeling enriched: [...]
Boosting immunity, boosting humanity
When caught in a pandemic, we wisely seek to boost our immunity. Simultaneously, we need to boost something just as important: our humanity. Crises can [...]
Three ways to avoid being misdirected by our mind
Suppose we are walking toward a destination and some passerby suggests we go somewhere else. Just because of their suggestion, we won’t change course. Yet [...]
Three ways to live more effectively
Suppose we are driving a car. If our car map is unclear, if a distracting partner is sitting next to us and if excess baggage [...]
Three practical benefits of remembering Krishna
The Bhagavad-gita repeatedly recommends that we remember the ultimate reality, Krishna. Let’s consider three practical benefits of such remembrance: Clarity: Our inner world is often [...]
Three principles for managing stress
Stress is becoming alarmingly widespread in today’s world. Naturally, people are seeking effective ways to deal with it. Sometimes, acute stress needs to be treated [...]
When we feel devotionally weak …
While practicing bhakti, suppose we feel attracted not to Krishna, but to the world’s allurements. Seeing our devotional weakness, we may lament: “I don’t love [...]