Arrogance perverts the wings that free into nets that bind
As spiritual practitioners, we are like baby birds developing wings – wings that will help raise our consciousness to the spiritual level, thus freeing us [...]
Be reflective, not reflexive
Our physical reflexes often protect us from danger – if we unconsciously place our hand on something hot, it recoils from that object even before [...]
Those who parade their purity accumulate the impurity of pride
On the spiritual path, freedom from the gross impurities of lust, greed and anger is invaluable. Such purity keeps us focused on Krishna amidst temptations. [...]
Process produces progress – focus on process, not progress
Sometimes parents tell their children who are reluctant to eat: “Eat, then your muscles will become big – like those of your favorite heroes.” The [...]
Weaken your weaknesses – don’t let your weaknesses weaken you
In a war, an army wins not just by the determination of its soldiers fighting on the forefront, but also by the steadiness of the [...]
Celebrate the commotion of emotion in the ocean of devotion
Some people conceive of spiritual perfection as an emotionless peace, a sanctuary of silence beyond the agitations and complications of material existence. Gita wisdom acknowledges [...]
When we hide ourselves from ourselves, we destroy ourselves
Leading a principle-centered life involves a dynamic tension between our aspirations, which are determined by our cherished principles, and our actions, which is often determined [...]
Worry more about inconsequential intentions than about unintended consequences
“What will happen if I practice spiritual life too seriously, neglect my material life and then things go wrong?” Such worry may trouble us when [...]
The mind may be like a hog in a confectionary, but we don’t have to be
We are all innately pleasure-seeking creatures. Where we seek pleasure defines us and determines our destiny. Normally, due to the influence of the culture externally [...]
Faithfulness to tradition includes faithfulness to the tradition’s flexibility
The human mind tends to become attached to externals. Among materialists, this tendency makes people attached to external material things, thereby keeping them trapped in [...]
When we demand Krishna’s protection on our terms, we deprive ourselves of his best protection
When we face problems, we often pray to Krishna for protection. He always protects, but not necessarily on our terms. If we demand protection on [...]
That all of us are in the same boat is a treacherous comfort when the boat is sinking
Our mortality is perhaps our best-kept secret. It’s a secret not in the sense that it’s not known, but in the sense that it’s hardly [...]
Don’t waste extra thought on people for whom you are extras
“If I do that, what will people think of me?” Such concern over the world’s opinion can sometimes protect us from unworthy actions but it [...]
Life may push us into the company of problems, but it cannot force us into their control
While traveling, sometimes the people sitting next to us are less than pleasant. We may not be able to avoid their company, but we don’t [...]
The road from beauty to reality can be seen only by purity
Some people ask, “When God has created the beauty of this world, why do scriptures decry it as illusion?” Firstly, scriptures don’t decry beauty itself [...]
Nonviolence that allows exploiters to become rulers is violence
Many people feel uncomfortable with the idea of a religious book, the Bhagavad-gita, urging war. They would probably be surprised to find their feelings echoed [...]
The different yogas are essentially similar with minor dissimilarities, not essentially dissimilar with minor similarities
The Bhagavad-gita calls humans to rise from the material mortal level of reality to the spiritual immortal level of reality. For this ascent it offers [...]
When we steer by stars that are in motion, our motion simply causes commotion
Just as ships steer by the pole star, we all during our journey through life steer by some guiding stars – ideas we have learnt [...]
The Gita teaches not about a distant past but about the eternal present
Some people ask Bhagavad-gita students, “Don’t you people live in the past – spending so much time on an ancient book?” No, Gita study is [...]
The last thing on the mind of the materialists is the first thing on the mind of the spiritualists
Materialistic people hardly ever think of Krishna except when they conceive him as a facilitator of their plans for self-centered enjoyment. But thoughts about Krishna [...]
Progression can become stagnation when there is misconception about destination
Gita wisdom offers an inclusive spiritual program that allows people with varying spiritual drives to choose a path that suits their level of commitment. Thus, [...]