We can’t always go outside, but we can always go inside
The outer world is subject to uncontrollable change that can limit our physical freedom. If we can’t go outside, we might go stir-crazy, becoming bored, [...]
The value of our life doesn’t require anyone’s recognition, not even our own
Some countries have declared suicide to be a fundamental right. If people desire to kill themselves, the government has to facilitate them. This bizarre development [...]
Purification means that sensual contemplation stops; determination means that we stop sensual contemplation
To grow spiritually and live meaningfully, we need to regulate sensual indulgence. For such regulation, we had best begin in the beginning: by minimizing our [...]
We can’t always move on from grief; we need to sometimes move on with grief
02.18 We can’t always move on from grief; we need to sometimes move on with grief When we lose a loved one, grief can overwhelm [...]
If what we live with becomes what we live for, we end up having nothing to live for
While driving, we need two things: the fuel we drive with and the destination we drive for. If we don’t have any fuel, what we [...]
Present yourself in the present to the One who is always present
We live in an uncertain world where sudden and severe changes can fill us with fear, even panic. If we get our sense of confidence [...]
Technological advancement without spiritual advancement makes us powerfully powerless
Being powerful and being powerless are usually opposite states. But when someone has a power they can’t control — say, an automatic gun whose trigger [...]
To differentiate between resoluteness and stubbornness, consider content, consequence and intent
When we stick to something rigidly, are we being resolute or stubborn? To understand the difference, we need to look at our action’s content, consequence [...]
The mind demands that others leave us alone and then complains they don’t care for us
Suppose someone who we care for is going through difficulties. When we try to help them, they demand from us, “Leave me alone”, but then [...]
To avoid emotional extremes, center your emotions on the eternal, not the external
We sometimes experience mood swings, whereby small good things make us elated and more commonly small bad things make us dejected. If such mood swings [...]
Light is usually seen before warmth is felt, but spiritual warmth frequently needs to be felt before spiritual light is seen
If we are lost in the dark and cold, we can spot the light of a fire long before we feel its warmth. In the [...]
When the mind complains about the shortage of enjoyable sense objects, contemplate the shortage of enjoyment in the supposedly enjoyable sense objects
Suppose we go to a hotel to eat a full meal and find that the delicacy we wanted is provided only in limited quantity. Our [...]
Avoiding some risks keeps us alive, taking some risks brings us alive
The world is filled with dangers that can overrun us if we aren’t careful. Avoiding unnecessary risks keeps us alive. Still, we want to not [...]
To feel small can be disempowering, to feel small in God’s presence is empowering
Suppose we walk on the streets of a giant metropolis, surrounded by huge skyscrapers, thousands of passers-by and hundreds of cars. We may feel small, [...]
We need inner accounting before we can have inner accountability
Suppose a social welfare organization is short of money and asks us to become a regular patron. Naturally, we will want some accountability. But if [...]
What we contemplate mentally, we cultivate mentally
Suppose we have a garden. We will be careful about what we cultivate there. And we certainly wouldn’t intentionally cultivate weeds or toxic plants. Unfortunately, [...]
Don’t fight against your bad habits — cultivate good habits and let them fight against your bad habits
When we have some bad habits, we often strive to get rid of them. If we fail repeatedly, we may become disheartened and quit. Why [...]
Attachment makes us blind, arrogance keeps us blind
Suppose someone allures an unsuspecting passerby into a dark alley and then attacks them so brutally as to blind them. That would be terrible. But [...]
If we wait till we feel inspired, we will definitely wait indefinitely
Suppose we want to develop a good habit centered on doing something creative or constructive such as meditate, study wisdom-texts, journal or write. Even when [...]
Regret for wrongdoing reforms, regret for only the consequence of wrongdoing deforms
Suppose a teenager drives beyond the speed limit just for the thrill of it and gets caught. On being penalized, they may feel regret. But [...]
The mind makes us depressed and then makes us depressed that we are depressed
Life by its very nature is characterized by both good and bad. And when bad things happen, we naturally feel disappointed. But our mind starts [...]