How intelligence and scripture may increase our illusions
How intelligence and scripture may increase our illusions - The Bhagavad-gita (02.53) cautions that our intelligence can get lost in the forest of illusion created [...]
What does it mean to “follow our heart”?
What does it mean to “follow our heart”? - Suppose we have to decide about complex and consequential issues such as choosing a career, a [...]
What is the heart?
Many regularly used words have nuances that we rarely ponder. Consider the word “heart.” When we say, “He suffered a heart attack,” we refer to [...]
How to expand our God consciousness in our relationships
How to expand our God consciousness in our relationships - When we strive to become God conscious by doing various devotional practices, we often start [...]
Do emotions reside in the mind?
Do emotions reside in the mind? - To understand, consider an analogous question: do sensations reside in the body? Suppose a 20 kg dumbbell is [...]
How are thoughts and emotions related
How are thoughts and emotions related - Thoughts and emotions are sometimes seen as sequential — when we think steadily about something, we feel emotions [...]
Do bad thoughts comprise bad karma?
Do bad thoughts comprise bad karma? - At one level, yes. Because thinking is also a form of activity, and every activity comes under the [...]
Are thoughts things?
Are thoughts things? - The word “thing” has multiple meanings. It can refer to an object, especially an inanimate object, as in: “There wasn't a [...]
The law of attraction and Gita wisdom
The law of attraction and Gita wisdom - The law of attraction holds that we attract positive and negative things respectively by cultivating positive or [...]
Will negative imagination lead to self-fulfilling prophecies?
Will negative imagination lead to self-fulfilling prophecies? - When a person having unhealthy habits is told to imagine the disasters that may result if they [...]
Gita 02.63 explained
BG 2.63 krodhad bhavati sammohah sammohat smriti-vibhramah smriti-bhramsad buddhi-naso buddhi-nasat pranasyati SYNONYMS krodhat -- from anger; bhavati -- takes place; sammohah -- perfect illusion; [...]
The power of negative imagination
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 [...]
Use imagination to reinforce resolution
Use imagination to reinforce resolution - We sometimes resolve to not do something, yet end up doing that very thing. For example, we may resolve [...]
We are already in God’s embrace
We are already in God’s embrace - How we conceive God determines how we relate with him. If we conceive of him as a being [...]
Why compassion matters more than erudition
Why compassion matters more than erudition - Suppose we discuss spirituality with a loved one whose conceptions differ from what we have learnt in sacred [...]
Understanding the relationship between love and freedom
Understanding the relationship between love and freedom Love is founded in freedom: Suppose a boy proposes to a girl saying, “I love you. Will you [...]
How Krishna’s relationship with us differs from our relationship with him
How Krishna’s relationship with us differs from our relationship with him - The Bhagavad-gita’s conclusion contains a disarming declaration: Krishna is determined to love us [...]
How desires differ from emotions — and why the difference matters
How desires differ from emotions — and why the difference matters - When we make resolutions for self-mastery, we are often thwarted by our emotions [...]
How the Gita demonstrates its teaching
How the Gita demonstrates its teaching - The Bhagavad-gita concludes, in one sense, with Arjuna agreeing to do Krishna’s will (18.73). Yet the Gita continues [...]
How purpose makes pain bearable
How purpose makes pain bearable - Suppose a person dear to us is sick and in great pain. Suppose further the only available doctor is [...]
The way to a better future
The way to a better future - The future can be better than the present and we can play a part in bringing about that [...]