We are constantly full of thoughts, but we are not always thoughtful.

In fact, many of our thoughts make us fools, for they impel us to deeds that we regret later. How does this happen? When thoughts come into our mind, we often believe them uncritically and even unwittingly because we think, “These are my thoughts.”

Little do we realize that most of the thoughts that we assume to be “my thoughts” are actually intruders that have somehow trespassed into our mind. Our materialistic culture is filled with alluring stimuli that inject within us thoughts about the pleasures they promise. Such thoughts seem innocuous initially, thereby seducing us into granting them easy entry. But they soon grow into desires and obsessions that make us behave thoughtlessly, even foolishly.

To prevent such self-defeating behavior, we need to become thoughtful. This means to be introspective, to cultivate meaningful thoughts that make us so full internally that unworthy thoughts can’t find a foothold. Even if they come in, they can’t stay for long and can’t disturb or disorient us.

As the Bhagavad-gita (02.70) indicates, an ocean is not disturbed by inflowing rivers because it is full of water. Similarly, we will no longer be disturbed by random thoughts if we are internally full. The best way to relish such inner fullness is by keeping Krishna in the center of our consciousness – the more we remember him, the more we relish the stability, strength and satisfaction his remembrance brings, and the less we remain vulnerable to the false promises of trespassing thoughts.

Gita wisdom with its ever-fresh insights serves as an inexhaustible source of profound thoughts about Krishna that don’t just keep us thoughtful but also make us joyful. Indeed cherishing those divine thoughts makes our actions powerful and our life fruitful, supremely fruitful.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 70

"A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires – that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still – can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires."