How to deal with our emotions
We all are prone to be swept away by our emotions, thereby acting self-destructively. How can we protect ourselves from this danger? Some people try [...]
Gita 01.01 explained: How each word of the Bhagavad-gita’s first verse is pregnant with meaning — 2
Let's look at the significance of the last three components of the Bhagavad-gita 01.01: Historical significance (samaveta yuytsavah): Literally, this describes the juncture when the [...]
Gita 01.01 explained: How each word of the Bhagavad-gita’s first verse is pregnant with meaning — 1
The Bhagavad-gita’s first verse (01.01) can be said to have six key components: dhritarashtra uvaca, dharma-kshetra, kuru-kshetra, samavetah yuyutsavah, mamakah pandavas caiva and kim akurvata. [...]
The difference between doubts and questions
After hearing a spiritual talk, interested members of the audience sometimes respond by saying: “I have a doubt.” However, what they usually have is a [...]
Would an infinite causal chain rule God out?
When God is postulated as the cause of all causes, as asserted in the Bhagavad-gita (10.08), some people object to it by postulating an infinite [...]
Why does Krishna glorify himself throughout the Gita?
Some readers of the Bhagavad-gita ask, “Why does Krishna speak of his own glories so much throughout the Gita?” Actually, Krishna does not glorify himself [...]
Why does Arjuna refer to Krishna as a yogi?
Among the many names that Arjuna uses to address Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita, one of the most intriguing is yogi (10.17). Why is this usage [...]
Love without sacrifice?
Love is one of the most common themes in popular media such as movies and novels. As today’s culture is increasingly moving toward individualism, sometimes [...]
What differentiates spiritualists from fanatics? — 2
The differences between them arise from differing priorities. Fanatics value certainty above all things, whereas spiritualists value curiosity above all things. Let’s see how these [...]
What differentiates spiritualists from fanatics? — 1
Let’s explore what differentiates the two so that we can detect and reject any fanatical tendencies that may be lurking in our heart. Approach to [...]
Mistakes that even God can’t fix?
As we are finite beings, we may sometimes commit mistakes that have devastating consequences. When we realize the gravity of our blunders, we may become [...]
When we feel that we lack ability …
When we try to grow spiritually by serving God, we may sometimes feel discouraged, “I don’t have much ability.” Thankfully, God doesn’t fixate on our [...]
Gita 5.29 explained
Bg 5.29 bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati Word for word: bhoktāram — the beneficiary; yajña — of sacrifices; tapasām — and [...]
Who do we seek to be remembered by?
One of our greatest fears is the fear of being forgotten. Why is this such a great fear? Because it plays into another deeper fear: [...]
The renunciation that is necessary for devotion
Unlike some other spiritual paths, bhakti-yoga doesn’t require us to renounce all our possessions. Still, it does require us to renounce some of our conceptions [...]
When winning an argument backfires …
Suppose we come to know that an acquaintance has a harmful misconception. To protect them, we try to counter that misconception, and an argument ensues. [...]
The cause of fights — a deeper examination
Whenever fighting breaks out between two sides, we may naturally ask: “What is the cause?” While a particular issue may be stated as the cause, [...]
Is seeking social acceptance leading us to self-rejection?
As we are social creatures, we long to belong — we seek some group where we are welcomed, valued and respected. Unfortunately, this longing to [...]
What to expect from prayer — 2
Suppose we enroll for an exercise program meant to build our muscles. Suppose we are told to move some heavy objects. Moving those objects can [...]
What to expect from prayer — 1
Our conceptions of things shape our expectations from those things. Suppose we conceive of prayer as a means to get God to remove obstacles from [...]
When the light seems too bright …
Suppose someone is trapped in a dark maze-like dungeon. After wandering for a long time, they finally find an opening. But as they near the [...]