As long as the mind is impure, no place is secure
If we move to a new place, we look for a safe locality. Similarly, we need for our consciousness a safe place, a place free [...]
Our longing for equality points to our spirituality
In today’s world, equality is among the most cherished values. Few things provoke as much indignation as incidents of discrimination or even allegations of discrimination. [...]
To speak effectively, speak not just correctly, but also appropriately
When a doctor prescribes a medicine to a patient, they consider not just the patient’s malady, but also the patient’s case history. Sometimes, if a [...]
The appreciation we get for our service is not as consequential as the absorption we get in our service
Whenever we do anything, we usually have various levels of motivation for doing that thing. And depending on how deep or substantial our motivation is, [...]
If we prayed as much as we worried, we would worry a lot less
We all worry, sometime or the other. Worrying may seem natural and unavoidable because so many things that are important for us are not in [...]
See Krishna’s reciprocation more in spiritual absorption than in material protection
While practicing bhakti, suppose we face problems and pray to Krishna for help. If we don’t get the sought protection, we may doubt, “Why is [...]
Krishna retains his divine position even while he reclines in a supine position
Those who see Krishna’s pastimes as a child sometimes wonder: “How can such a child be God?” To unravel this mystery, let’s first look at [...]
Stop worrying about avoiding temptation, start working on cultivating absorption
When we resolve to resist some harmful temptation, we may fear, “The world is filled with tempting objects. How can I avoid all those objects [...]
The less time we have for our problems, the less problems we have
We sometimes feel burdened by our problems, as if they were heavy weights on our back. And the more we obsess over them, the bigger [...]
How to communicate effectively – an example from the Bhagavad-gita
Suppose we are guiding someone about how to take a complicated treatment that involves various medicines at various times. In one sense, every step of [...]
The denial of free will converts God into devil
Some people say, “Everything is controlled by God – we have no free will. Whatever we do is ultimately done by God.” Though they may [...]
Artha divorced from dharma leads to anartha
Artha, wealth, and anartha, inner weakness, have a revealing relationship. Artha is vital for living, whereas anartha takes away the vitality of living. We need [...]
If we don’t double-check the mind, it will double-cross us
If we don’t double-check the mind, it will double-cross us Suppose an agent were prodding us to sign an important deal. If that dealer were [...]
On disagreements and fanaticism
Disagreement over issues is not as disruptive as disagreement over the importance of the disagreements When we see disruptive disagreements among friends who share our [...]
Read scripture and read from scripture – don’t read into scripture
For our life-journey, scripture is like a map. The Bhagavad-gita (16.24) urges us to make informed decisions based on scriptural knowledge. Let’s look at three [...]
Seek first to understand the question to best understand the answer
Seek first to understand the question to best understand the answer Suppose we hear a discussion between a teacher and a student. If that discussion [...]
Managing our emotions – shift focus from emotions to actions
Stop trying to control how you feel, start taking control of what you do Our emotions often interfere with our purposes. We may resolve to [...]
Learn to like the things we need to do to do the things we like to do
We all have preferences (things we like to do) and obligations (things we need to do). Among our biggest obligations is our profession. Even if [...]
Those who are not humble are humbled
We often operate under the illusion that we are fully independent, that we can do whatever we want whenever we want, that we don’t need [...]
Use your intelligence to identify and rectify your conditioning, not to justify it
A prominent law-upholder such as a head of state is often protected by a security guard. But suppose such a guard is unwittingly hired by [...]
16.02 Even if people are not faultless, we can still find faults less
When we find faults with others, we are often told to not have a fault-finding mentality. In response, we may defend ourselves, “But I am [...]