Three kinds of misdeeds
When we commit a wrong, especially after resolving not to, we can become disturbed and discouraged. To atone for our errors and prevent their recurrence, [...]
Dealing with temptation — a positive approach
When dealing with temptation, we often focus on saying no to it; we may even define our self-worth by our success in resisting it. Thereafter, [...]
Why we fall to temptation — a deeper analysis
Suppose we resolve repeatedly to give up some temptation, but still succumb again and again. Becoming dejected, we may conclude, “This temptation is too strong; [...]
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 [...]
What’s wrong with unrestrained sexual activity?
Today’s culture glamorizes lust as the source of immediate and immense pleasure. However, such glamorization impoverishes our existence, depleting three of its vital dimensions: Spirituality: [...]
The power of negative imagination
Biologically, we are wired more to fear pain than to savor pleasure. In most enjoyable situations, there’s a self-evident limit to how much pleasure we [...]
Use imagination to reinforce resolution
We sometimes resolve to not do something, yet end up doing that very thing. For example, we may resolve to avoid binging on food, entertainment [...]
How desires differ from emotions — and why the difference matters
When we make resolutions for self-mastery, we are often thwarted by our emotions and desires. Emotions are largely reactive, arising from the things we perceive [...]
Purification means that sensual contemplation stops; determination means that we stop sensual contemplation
To grow spiritually and live meaningfully, we need to regulate sensual indulgence. For such regulation, we had best begin in the beginning: by minimizing our [...]
When the mind complains about the shortage of enjoyable sense objects, contemplate the shortage of enjoyment in the supposedly enjoyable sense objects
Suppose we go to a hotel to eat a full meal and find that the delicacy we wanted is provided only in limited quantity. Our [...]
Don’t fight against your bad habits — cultivate good habits and let them fight against your bad habits
When we have some bad habits, we often strive to get rid of them. If we fail repeatedly, we may become disheartened and quit. Why [...]
Attachment makes us blind, arrogance keeps us blind
Suppose someone allures an unsuspecting passerby into a dark alley and then attacks them so brutally as to blind them. That would be terrible. But [...]
Even if we can’t drive away inner impurities, we can still drive away from inner impurities
Suppose an obscene billboard comes up in our neighborhood. If we want our locality to be family-friendly, we will want that image removed. But if [...]
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 [...]
The mind makes the uncomfortable seem unbearable and then makes us do the unconscionable
Suppose someone lives in a place with uncomfortably hot weather. If they accept their situation, they will gradually get used to it. But suppose they [...]
Better to endure cravings that seem unbearable than to endure consequences that are unbearable
Suppose someone is trying to recover from alcoholism. They may still be subjected to strong cravings to drink. Suppose they feel that those cravings are [...]
Whatever we are surfing for, we are ultimately surfing for Krishna
Our mind is constantly surfing for something enjoyable. While surfing referred traditionally to a water sport, it has now come to refer to the act [...]
More dangerous than the enemies that threaten are the enemies that tempt
Suppose we are fighting a war. We will be on guard against those who threaten to destroy us. But suppose someone allures us with pleasure. [...]
Impurity needs to be feared before it can be found, found before it can be fought and fought before it can be finished
Suppose a person has a treasure kept in a high-security area. But if a thief sneaks in and if the owner is not vigilant, the [...]
Even if we cover the tracks we make externally, the tracks we make internally still cover us
Suppose we wanted to hide what we are doing from others while we are going on a trek through the wilderness. We would cover our [...]
Those who underestimate their mind undermine their intelligence
Suppose a country has a hostile neighbor. If they underestimate their neighbor, they will not pay attention to their own intelligence agencies which may warn [...]