Choose the self-definition that is eternal and factual, not fickle and fallible
The world usually defines us by our possessions – what we wear, what we drive in, what we own, for example. Being influenced by this [...]
Dissatisfaction is caused not by bhakti’s impotence but by the mind’s petulance
“This meditation stuff doesn’t work.” We may think like this when we don’t feel happy while chanting the holy names of Krishna. The problem, however, [...]
Seek to know Krishna not theoretically but transformationally
Many Bhagavad-gita readers are puzzled by its repeated declarations that knowledge about Krishna grants liberation: “So many people know Krishna, but they aren't liberated. Are [...]
Be flexible, but not fickle
As students of the Gita, we may face this question. “How can we live according to the Gita’s ancient tradition in today’s world?” By being [...]
Illusion means that the content of our experience blinds us to its context
Sometimes we get so caught up in watching a movie that we forget where we are, even who we are. The content of our experience, [...]
Confront reality before reality confronts us
Gory scenes of mangled flesh, spattered blood and distorted corpses may be a stable in horror movies, but still they cause most people’s stomachs to [...]
Krishna is better than the best that the world can offer
“I will miss so much pleasure if I devote myself to Krishna.” This feeling may check us while practicing spiritual life, especially its regulative principles. [...]
Krishna is not doing things to us; he is doing things for us
“Why is Krishna doing this to me?” We may get this question when we are faced with problems and have some nominal faith in Krishna [...]
To hear Krishna accurately, first hear about Krishna attentively
“Can we hear Krishna speaking to us from within?” We may get this question when we come to know from the Bhagavad-gita that Krishna resides [...]
When desires crowd the mind, dilemmas cloud the intelligence
We sometimes feel overwhelmed by the number of things that we need to get done. No doubt, we do have a lot to do, but [...]
To minimize weariness, maximize wariness
If we had to do everything that everyone wanted us to do, we would soon become exhausted. That’s why we learn to say no to [...]
Will we have to lose everything before we lose our blindness?
Attachment makes us blind – blind to everything other than the object of our attachment. The Bhagavad-gita (01.01) indicates this blinding power of attachment through [...]
Let’s not renew what we need to remove
The nature of the mind is to wander unsteadily and unstoppably. During its wandering it frequently goes to memories that are emotionally potent. These may [...]
Attachment makes the absent present
Attachment has the power to take our thoughts away from our surroundings to our dreams. It can make those to whom we are attached seem [...]
Tolerance fosters not impotence but perseverance
In spiritual life, tolerance is an important virtue. Internalizing this virtue may present us a dilemma: “If I just tolerate the things that happen to [...]
Liberation is not just about what we are released from but also about what we are released to
Patients admitted in a hospital long to be discharged so that they can return home and be with their loved ones. Even while staying in [...]
When a wildfire appears to be the cure for a burn, a wildfire is burning our head
When a fire burns us, we immediately move away from it towards something cooling and healing. Yet when the fire of lust burns us, we [...]
Let research reinforce, not replace, search
The essence of the spiritual journey is not research, but search. Research refers to an academic, intellectual quest for information, whereas search refers to a [...]
As long as we mistake the irresistible to be essential, we deprive ourselves of the essential
Sometimes worldly desires, especially immoral and anti-devotional sexual desires, seem irresistible. No matter how much we try to resist them, they seem to keep returning [...]
Rise from “willpower is power” to “willpower is his power”
We all need willpower for doing anything worthwhile. In fact, willpower is the power that unleashes our other powers such as undeveloped talents. Without willpower, [...]
Let determination enthrone, not dethrone, devotion
We may wonder: “Determination requires using our own willpower, whereas devotion requires depending on Krishna’s supreme power. How can we do these two contradictory things [...]