The mind is restless, reasonless, ruthless, relentless
Why is controlling the mind so difficult? The Bhagavad-gita (06.34) explains using four describers, which can be summarized as four R’s: Restless (canchala): The mind [...]
Love becomes blind when lust becomes the blindfold
Love is the heart’s deepest aspiration; we all want to love and be loved. Through love, we can establish the sweetest connections with others. Yet, [...]
When a danger is less visible, it leaves us more vulnerable
If we are afflicted by some disease with visible symptoms such as TB, we would seek diagnosis and treatment. But suppose we are afflicted by [...]
The desire that the dark be darker defines a dark mind
Suppose we know that someone is short-tempered. Suppose further we hear through the grapevine that they have assaulted someone. If we presume the rumor to [...]
Impulse may run over intelligence, but don’t let it take over intelligence
Suppose some invaders attack a fort suddenly. The defenders, being caught unawares, are stunned, and the invaders start plundering the fort. Nonetheless, the defenders soon [...]
Make judgments, but don’t be judgmental
When doing anything responsible, we need to make judgments: we need to evaluate who is suitable for doing what and who isn’t. If someone tends [...]
To respect Krishna, respect the time we have carved out for Krishna
Suppose we are to meet someone who says they respect us profusely. But suppose they don’t turn up for the meeting – and that happens [...]
Intelligence is the last defense against indulgence – and also the first defense
An important fort usually has multiple layers of defense. The best security is placed at the innermost layer to protect the king. Simultaneously, strong security [...]
Learn to be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable
Life often makes us uncomfortable, through stress, boredom, overwork, loneliness, sickness and so forth. On facing such discomfort, we impulsively seek to get away from [...]
To put something behind us, we need to put something ahead of us
When some misfortune befalls us, our mind tends to keep replaying that misfortune, making us feel fearful, morose, helpless. Such negativity characterizes the mode of [...]
When the mind takes charge, the only thing that works is we: hard
Suppose a competent leader takes charge of a project. They ensure that everyone works hard and productively. But if the leader is incompetent, no one [...]
Even if our worldview stays out of view, it shapes our every view
Suppose a beautiful bird is seen in the sky. A nature lover would reach for a camera to shoot its photo, whereas a hunter would [...]
We don’t know the future, but neither does our mind – its fears don’t forecast the future
Our mind often fills us with fears about the future: “What if this goes wrong? What if that goes wrong?” Indeed, “What if?” is the [...]
To have fixity in purpose, we need flexibility in pace
Suppose we are driving to a distant place for some important work. If the road is clear, we will drive at the highest legal speed. [...]
The mind stops us not just from achieving our dreams, but also from pursuing them
People on the deathbed often have many regrets. The greatest of such regrets center on, “If only I had done this …”. We all dream [...]
Friendly snakes are still snakes – beware of the snake-like senses
Suppose someone adopts a poisonous snake as a pet. Even if that snake appears friendly, it can still bite venomously at any moment. Snake-owners need [...]
Intelligence shows how indulgence is harmful and how harmful indulgence is
Less than a century ago, smoking was considered harmless. It took decades of intelligent investigation to reveal that smoking harmed health, and harmed it so [...]
Even when our eyes are full of tears, we can still choose to be all ears
Sometimes, life afflicts us so grievously that we feel broken, tearful and blinded by confusion and dejection. How can we move ahead when our vision [...]
When the mind believes something is enjoyable, it stops evaluating whether it is actually enjoyable
Our mind often works like a programmed device, giving particular responses to particular stimuli. Some of this programming protects us from pain. For example, if [...]
Some limits restrict; some protect – knowing which limit does what is intelligence
When we are limited in any way, we often see that limitation as a restriction to our freedom. And yes, many limits do restrict. But [...]
A sight on a site can trigger a fire inside, watch what you watch
If we live in a house made of inflammable material, we will meticulously avoid throwing about a matchstick, lest it triggers a house-destroying fire. Actually, [...]