What the mind makes us do would be comic if its consequences were not so tragic
In some comedy shows, some people do stunningly stupid things, repeatedly. Seeing their stupidity can be hilarious. Sadly, many people’s real lives are not much [...]
If we are tormented by strong conscience and weak willpower, the solution is strengthening willpower, not weakening conscience
We all face situations in our life wherein we feel impelled to do things that go against our values and principles. At such times, we [...]
Even if we cover the tracks we make externally, the tracks we make internally still cover us
Suppose we wanted to hide what we are doing from others while we are going on a trek through the wilderness. We would cover our [...]
To get out of the mind, go above it to the soul or go below it to the body
The mind can be a deadly enemy that can delude and degrade us at any moment. To protect ourselves from it, we need to get [...]
If we put gravity to test, gravity will put us to rest
Suppose someone decides to test gravity by walking off the parapet wall of a fifty-story building. Gravity will soon put them to rest, stripped of [...]
To be compassionate, be both caring and careful
Suppose a doctor is asked to travel to an epidemic zone to treat patients. To take up such an assignment, they would need to have [...]
Mind your mind to know when it is in order, when on the border and when out of order
Suppose we use a laptop for vital, high-stake work. We would not only do the work carefully, but would also carefully monitor the device to [...]
Don’t use others to feel better about yourself, learn from others how to become better
When we are distressed, we often need someone to unburden ourselves to. While that is an understandable and even essential human need, it can become [...]
Seeking to understand our nature won’t box us in, it will reveal the box we are already in
Some people resist any system of categorization of human nature. They feel, “This will box me in.” While their concern is understandable, it is based [...]
To be responsible means to stop blaming the outer trigger for the inner trouble
Suppose we feel tempted by someone who wears revealing clothes. Or we feel irritated by someone who behaves in an annoying way. We may blame [...]
Self-pity makes feel-bad seem feel-good
Suppose we are in physical pain. We will naturally do whatever we can to free ourselves from that pain as soon as possible. While such [...]
The mind is like ice to truth and fire to lies
The mind is meant to serve as a tool for us souls to perceive the world, but it is often the greatest obstacle for us [...]
Ask not why bad things happen to good people, ask what good people do when bad things happen to them
One of the oldest philosophical questions is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Gita wisdom answers by introducing the principle of karma, which [...]
Equality that is imposed doesn’t raise everyone up, it brings everyone down
We live in an age where equality is celebrated. Any discrimination, based on race, gender, caste and so forth, is frowned upon, or even condemned. [...]
Speak in a way that educates and engages, not enrages and estranges
Suppose we have some knowledge that will be helpful or valuable for others. When we speak to share it with them, we sometimes find that [...]
The mind often recasts antipathy as inability – what it doesn’t want to do, it presents as if it can’t do
Suppose a child doesn’t want to study a particular subject, say, math. He may protest to his mother, “I can’t do this.” If the mother [...]
The media is mostly the mind multiplied, magnified & magnetized
Whenever some people hear of shocking instances of brutality or perversity, they hold the media responsible: “The media is feeding people’s minds with such images. [...]
Those who underestimate their mind undermine their intelligence
Suppose a country has a hostile neighbor. If they underestimate their neighbor, they will not pay attention to their own intelligence agencies which may warn [...]
For inner change, momentum matters more than movement
Suppose we strive to improve ourselves in some area, but fail repeatedly. We may feel disheartened, “There are so many things wrong with me. Even [...]
As long as we don’t mine under the mind, the mind will undermine us
Suppose someone is digging for buried gold. If they find iron coated to look like gold and celebrate prematurely, they will miss the real treasure. [...]
If we justify our weaknesses by comparing ourselves with those who are weaker, we weaken our motivation to rectify ourselves
Suppose we have a weakness, say, a short temper. Driven by anger, we may speak and do things that we know we shouldn’t. Indeed, anger [...]