Did nothing in life prepare you for life?
From middle-age onwards, the human body usually starts undergoing a miracle of the wrong kind. Unfortunately, many such miracle-afflicted people go into a denial mode [...]
We cannot get pure devotion by more donation
“This person gives liberal donations for charitable causes.” Statements like these are becoming increasingly commonin the public profiles of well-to-do individuals. This trend may inspire [...]
When the heat hits, move away from the heat source, not towards it
When the environmental heat hits us, we naturally move away from the heat source. Strangely however, we react in the opposite way to another kind [...]
Patience is humility, not apathy
Our culture infatuates us with instant things: instant tea, instant food, instant messaging, to name a few. This infatuation often makes us impatient about things [...]
It is never too late – and it is already too late
Intelligence and experience help us see that material enjoyment is temporary and unsatisfying, whereas Krishna consciousness is eternal and supremely satisfying. This vision inspires us [...]
The two wonders of Gita wisdom
Beholding the wonders of the world is often an anti-climactic experience. The splendor of the Taj Mahal is fascinating to see once, maybe twice, just [...]
Delight in the devotional chain reaction of faith and knowledge
Faith is the most precious asset on the spiritual path. It enables us to pursue diligently that which we cannot perceive directly: the invisible treasure [...]
Bhakti is characterized by simple-heartedness, not simple-mindedness
Some people think that the path of bhakti is too simplistic and so is meant for sentimental non-intellectual people. However, the simplicity characteristic of bhakti [...]
If we can’t shun senselessness, we can at least shun the senseless mind
Practicing devotional life means embarking on an inward devotional journey to connect with Krishna. On this journey, the mind poses the primary roadblock by constantly [...]
How material enjoyment falsifies materialism
Most people are infatuated with material pleasures. Due to such infatuation, they consider matter to be the primary, if not the only, reality. Thus, they [...]
Guard against the tiny crack – it can end in mighty crash
A tiny crack in a dam is not a tiny thing. The massive pressure of all the dam water forces the crack to enlarge till [...]
The mind may stray away; let it not stay away
“Yet again the mind has gone astray. How many times can I keep struggling against it?” This is our common reaction when we try to [...]
Is the purpose of eating to get fatter?
Obviously not, we would unhesitatingly answer. We eat to get energy for pursuing worthwhile ends in life. Gita wisdom urges us to apply this same [...]
Those who don’t spare time for meditation squander time in frustration
“I just don’t have time.” This is how we often respond to suggestions that we commit ourselves to devotional practices such as mantra meditation. No [...]
Cherish the power of love, not the love of power
Power. That’s what motivates most politicians today. Because they usually have worldly values and goals, they imagine that worldly power is their gateway to happiness. [...]
Don’t let lifestyle get in the way of living
“You are your watch!” So says a billboard. It implies that our watch makes a statement about who we are, what our status is and [...]
The Earthbound are Dearth-bound
Many people are earthbound in their conception of life; they think of the earth as the only arena for their existence. They generally acquire this [...]
Resting on our laurels? No resting! Not our laurels!
In material consciousness, whenever we achieve any success, we tend to parade and brag about it. We often carry this tendency with us into our [...]
Insanity is not compulsory
All of us have witnessed normal sane people suddenly behaving abnormally, even insanely. We may have seen this happening to ourselves. For some people, this [...]
Determination is the first thing, the main thing, the only thing
Nothing glorious can be achieved without single-pointed, sustained determination. The Bhagavad-gita (02.41) indicates that determination (drdha-vratah) is essential for the most glorious achievement of life: [...]
Rise from touch-me-not to touched-me-not
We all need a sense of security in our lives. Often, we seek that security by trying to build a cocoon around us, by trying [...]