How devotion encompasses our entire being (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 9)
How devotion encompasses our entire being - In the Chatur-shloki Gita, the second verse (10.09) describes the characteristics of the devoted in terms of their [...]
Chatur-Shloki Gita illustrated in the Krishna-Arjuna relationship (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 8)
Chatur-Shloki Gita illustrated in the Krishna-Arjuna relationship - The Chatur-Shloki Gita (10.08-11) can be analyzed in terms of what devotees do for Krishna (10.08-09) and [...]
Chatur-Shloki Summarized in terms of reciprocation (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 7)
Chatur-Shloki Summarized in terms of reciprocation - If we read the Bhagavad-gita’s Chatur-shloki (its four-verse summary:10.08-11), it becomes evident that its essential theme is bhakti-yoga. [...]
Why speech matters so much in devotion (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 6)
Why speech matters so much in devotion - In its second verse, the Chatur-Shloki Bhagavad-gita (10.08-11) states the characteristics of the devoted in terms of [...]
Devotion is seen through dedication (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 5)
Devotion is seen through dedication - Suppose someone claims that they are strong patriots. On observing them, if we find that they hardly do anything [...]
Devotion changes our inner home (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 4)
Devotion changes our inner home - The Bhagavad-gita’s Chatur-Shloki (10.08-11) begins by stating that Krishna is the ultimate reality, loved by the enlightened (10.08). The [...]
How devotion balances the head and the heart (Chatur-Shloki analysis 3)
The first verse of the Chatur-Shloki characterizes those devoted to Krishna as buddha (enlightened) and bhava-samanvitah (infused with emotion). These two describers point to a [...]
The impact of knowing about God (Chatur Shloki Gita analysis 2)
The impact of knowing about God - The second half of the first verse of the Chatur-Shloki (10.08) states the result of knowing about Krishna: [...]
Defining and identifying the ultimate reality (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 1)
Defining and identifying the ultimate reality - The first verse (10.08) of the Chatur-Shloki Gita (10.08-11) gives the definition and identification of God. In its [...]
Taking responsibility to help others choose wisely (Balancing independence and guidance series 7)
Taking responsibility to help others choose wisely - After Krishna concludes the Bhagavad-gita’s message, he asks Arjuna a two-part question: Has he heard attentively? Have [...]
How Krishna precedes enlightenment with encouragement (Balancing independence and guidance 7)
How Krishna precedes enlightenment with encouragement - In the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Arjuna enquires about the fate of the unsuccessful yogi. In a question that [...]
How Krishna addresses Arjuna’s concerns empathically (Balancing independence and guidance 6)
How Krishna addresses Arjuna’s concerns empathically - In the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Krishna outlines the process of dhyana-yoga. This process for attaining self-realization centers primarily [...]
Respecting others while refuting their misconceptions (Balancing independence and guidance 5)
Respecting others while refuting their misconceptions- When Arjuna surrenders to Krishna, seeking guidance about dharma, Krishna begins his response with words that can seem like [...]
Does the Gita’s conclusion contain a self-contradiction? (Balancing independence and guidance series 5)
Does the Gita’s conclusion contain a self-contradiction? - When nearing the end of the Bhagavad-gita (18.63), Krishna shows respect for Arjuna’s independence by stating: “Deliberate [...]
How Krishna respects Arjuna’s independence before giving guidance (Balancing independence and guidance series 4)
How Krishna respects Arjuna's independence before giving guidance - Suppose we can give good advice to someone whom we are not officially or relationally obligated [...]
How to give guidance while respecting people’s independence (Balancing independence and guidance series 3)
How to give guidance while respecting people’s independence - Suppose a student seeks career guidance from an older relative. If that relative has previously been [...]
Why we may provide guidance without respecting independence (Balancing independence and guidance series 2)
Why we may provide guidance without respecting independence - Whenever we offer guidance, we act based on our implicit conceptions about what guidance is meant [...]
Why both independence and guidance matter (Balancing independence and guidance series 1)
Why both independence and guidance matter - When we are in relationships that involve instructing and inspiring others such as parenting or coaching, one of [...]
The necessity of bhakti (Appreciating bhakti-yoga 5)
The necessity of bhakti - Suppose someone is told about a powerful medicine. If they think they are not sick, they won’t care much about [...]
The universality of bhakti
The universality of bhakti - Most conventional religious paths present rigid boundaries to differentiate between the pure and the impure, which eventually translates into the [...]
The transformatory potency of bhakti yoga (Appreciating bhakti-yoga 4)
The transformatory potency of bhakti yoga - Every path expects certain abilities or qualities from its practitioners. For example, athletes need to be physically fit [...]