The heaven that turns out to be hell
People today think of heaven not just as an enjoyable place to be attained after death, but also as any enjoyable place or activity. Our [...]
What we speak about others speaks about us
We reveal more about ourselves when we speak about others than when we speak about ourselves. Our words offer listeners glimpses into our heart. When [...]
Forgive the unavoidable, avoid the unforgivable
Gita wisdom is eminently practical. It reveals lofty levels of devotional consciousness as our ultimate goal, but also outlines a down-to-earthpath for getting there. Let’s [...]
Are we living our life at the center or at the periphery?
In our life, we presume that we are the choosers and the doers, the central protagonists in an ongoing, unfolding drama. But are we, really? [...]
Let our potentials, not our problems, define us
Our materialistic culture pits us in constant competition against others. Such exposure may make us feel that we have a lot of problems, “I don’t [...]
When comforts become ends, life becomes a dead end
Imagine a group of people who board a crowded train. Due to the discomfort, they struggle to first find standing space, then leaning space, then [...]
Are we placing in the treasury that which belongs to the dustbin?
We clean our home regularly because dirt inevitably comes in from somewhere. While cleaning, first we check if the dirt is coming from any specific [...]
Go beyond the beyond
Many people think that the goal of spirituality is to go beyond emotions and actions, and attain peace by merging in an impersonal light. However, [...]
Is the noise without muting the voice within?
All of us have an inner voice that expresses our deepest concerns, our noblest values, our highest aspirations. That inner voice is the voice of [...]
Long in shadow, short in substance
Few things are as long in shadow and as short in substance as sensual pleasures, especially sexual pleasures. The actual experience of the pleasure is [...]
Are we clearing the inner fog?
Driving through a fog is arduous and dangerous: arduous because we have to constantly strain to see what lies ahead and dangerous because despite our [...]
Filling our mind, emptying our pocket, starving our heart – is this progress?
Today’s materialistic culture charms us by portraying itself as progressive. But is it really? Beyond its impressive technological wizardry, what does it actually do for [...]
When the mind throws sand into our eyes
Thieves who want to rob wayfarers sometimes throw sand into the eyes of their victims. Once the travelers are thus blinded, they can be more [...]
Don’t romanticize or demonize; utilize and realize
Many people romanticize the world, picturing it to be the arena where they will fulfill their fantasies. When the world dashes and smashes their dreams, [...]
Are we courting suffering with the tongue?
The world is witnessing an upsurge of many diet-induced diseases. A prominent example is obesity, which is increasingly becoming one of the world’s biggest causes [...]
On decreasing our emotional distance from the truth
Our normal actions as well as our major decisions are shaped not just by our rational contemplation but also by our emotional sensation. That’s why [...]
Transforming a battlefield into a classroom
Teachers sometimes use experiential learning methods to teach more effectively. For teaching the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna uses the ultimate experiential learning method by transforming a battlefield [...]
The great achievement of materialism
Materialism is the belief system that matter is all that exists. Sometimes it takes a slightly more tolerant form as the belief system that matter [...]
When will the over-estimate be over?
Our culture gives us a highly inflated estimate of material enjoyment. Believing this over-estimate, we make material enjoyment the essence and purpose of our life. [...]
Are we seeking counsel from our fears instead of from Krishna?
Suppose in a boxing match a boxer gets knocked down by his opponent. Disheartened by the power of the opponent, the fallen boxer starts doubting [...]
Is the body a playground for passion or a temple for devotion?
Our culture with its romantic movies and erotic pictures depicts the body as a playground for passion, especially sexual passion. But are such popular depictions [...]