How to endure phases of tastelessness in bhakti
When we start practicing bhakti yoga, we may expect to relish great joy because we are connecting with the one who is the source of [...]
Gita 14.06 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 14.6 tatra sattvaṁ nirmalatvāt [...]
How to deal with fear of the future
Whenever we face situations wherein our future seems dark and dangerous, our mind starts becoming paranoid. The Bhagavad-gita (18.35) cautions that fearfulness characterizes a mind [...]
Two ways to deal with dissatisfaction
When we see some things we don’t have — a bigger house, a faster car, a newer phone — we often feel dissatisfied. And we [...]
From worthless anxiety to worthwhile anxiety
As life’s uncertainties make us anxious, we often long to be anxiety-free. Curiously however, when we are relatively free from anxiety, as when we are [...]
Are we devaluing our life?
If someone devalued our life, treating it as if it were worthless, we would oppose, and oppose fiercely. Yet we often unwittingly undervalue the resource [...]
Desire — curbed or cured?
Our desires sometimes get us into big trouble, as when we get lured into an addictive indulgence or a toxic relationship. On being thus misled, [...]
Wrong to say others are wrong?
We live in a world where people have varying viewpoints, some that seem acceptable to us and some that seem utterly unacceptable or even unconscionable [...]
War won, territory lost?
Suppose an army fought determinedly against an enemy and won the war — yet lost the disputed territory. How might that happen? Maybe another regiment [...]
Don’t just be remorseful — be resourceful too
We all stumble and fall at times. And sometimes our mistakes have serious, even grievous, consequences. On committing such mistakes, it's natural and necessary that [...]
Capitalism, communism, materialism
Recent human history has been characterized by an ideological war between capitalism and communism (or its milder cousin socialism). Despite their history of confrontation, both [...]
How to deal with discouragement
Suppose we have an ability, but don’t have any forum for expressing it. Becoming discouraged, we stay silent. In general, we are often discouraged and [...]
How attachment blinds without letting us realize that we are blinded
Suppose an aggressor attacks a person and brutally destroys their eyes. We would consider that aggressor atrocious. Shockingly, we all are attacked by a terrible [...]
Shortsighted, shortsighted squared and shortsighted cubed
To be shortsighted is bad: Suppose a person develops symptoms indicative of infection by a pandemic. If they neglect those symptoms, they may unwittingly infect [...]
Without inner knowledge, outer knowledge can become useless
Suppose we live in a locality where thieves ambush people walking through the streets. We need to know how to protect ourselves from those thieves. [...]
Are emotions subjective or objective?
Our emotions shape us significantly. What enlivens us, what enrages us, what enchants us — all this reveals who we are. What triggers attraction in [...]
Why we prefer outer news to inner news?
By exploring our inner world and learning about ourselves, we can better tap our abilities and increase our contributions. This is far more beneficial than [...]
From outer news to inner news
In today’s digitally-connected world, our devices inform us instantaneously of news from all over the world. Additionally, we are socially expected to be aware of [...]
Is God our problem-solver?
Most people turn toward God when they face problems. The Bhagavad-gita (07.16) appreciates as virtuous those who seek God as their problem-solver. Simultaneously, it (07.19) [...]
How to go beyond denying and dreading death
We often live in denial of death. Of course, if asked directly, we will admit, “I will die one day.” But that admission rings with [...]
Why bad habits don’t go away easily
If we leave our house empty while we go elsewhere, some squatters may occupy it. When we return, they refuse to go or even let [...]