Four meanings of consciousness
The many meanings of consciousness and how they matter Consciousness is a frequently discussed concept among those seeking personal and spiritual growth. Gaining a clearer [...]
Finding our voice shouldn’t become an excuse for funding our vice.
The call for individuality We live in a culture where the call to be an individual is not just encouraged but championed and glamorized. However, [...]
When others hurt me, let me give them the benefit of the doubt, not shut them out
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ When others hurt me and my mind rushes to judgment, Help me meet its [...]
Let my recitation of your words inspire the redirection of my heart to you
svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva May speaking your words be my training, Knowing their sounds are potent and purifying. Let sacred recitation be my ladder, Drawing my heart [...]
Our mind deserves better than its present contents
Suppose we travel extensively and come across a place that is exquisitely beautiful, naturally rich with resources, and yet feels desolate and desperate. This could [...]
Let my words be illuminating, encouraging, uplifting
satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat Let me speak to illuminate and appreciate, Never use the truth as a tool to dominate. May kind words become my [...]
Let my speech bring calm to the storm, not begin a second storm
anudvega-karaṁ vākyam Within me, when storms of pain form, Let not my speech bring another storm. May my prayers seek you as my anchor, Then [...]
Lead me out of my ego’s web by your love’s WEB: wisdom, expertise, benevolence
Bhagavad Gita 18.58 mac-cittaḥ sarva-durgāṇi mat-prasādāt tariṣyasi atha cet tvam ahaṅkārān na śroṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi "Focus on me, and all duality you will transcend, By [...]
Let the realization of your position transform my conviction and aspiration
Bhagavad Gita 18.78 yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama Where Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of mystic perfection, [...]
You alone fulfill my heart’s hopes for healing and homecoming
Bhagavad Gita 18.66 sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ Give up all confusion about what is to be [...]
Let your love for those who share your message of love inspire my love for you
Bhagavad Gita 18.69 na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ bhavitā na ca me tasmād anyaḥ priyataro bhuvi Among all humans, there is none [...]
Let your presence in this world provide me peace and your presence beyond this world provide me purpose
Bhagavad Gita 18.77 tac ca saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya rūpam atyadbhutaṁ hareḥ vismayo me mahān rājan hṛṣyāmi ca punaḥ punaḥ Remembering repeatedly that form so joyful, [...]
Help me see your mercy in the wisdom I have received by your devotees’ mercy
Bhagavad Gita 18.75 vyāsa-prasādāc chrutavān etad guhyam ahaṁ param yogaṁ yogeśvarāt kṛṣṇāt sākṣāt kathayataḥ svayam By Vyāsa’s grace I came to hear This supreme [...]
Let me seek you with a heart that is firm, not a head that needs to confirm
Bhagavad Gita 18.74 sañjaya uvāca ity ahaṁ vāsudevasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ saṁvādam imam aśrauṣam adbhutaṁ roma-harṣaṇam Sañjaya said: Thus have I heard this conversation, [...]
Let my conviction in what you do remove my confusion about what I am to do
Bhagavad Gita 18.73 arjuna uvāca naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtir labdhā tvat-prasādān mayācyuta sthito ’smi gata-sandehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṁ tava Arjuna said: My illusion is destroyed; my [...]
Let your love for me inform and transform my love for life
Bhagavad Gita 18.61 īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe ’rjuna tiṣṭhati bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā The Lord within all hearts resides, And there, O Arjuna, gently guides; All [...]
Lead me to see you not just as a dispassionate teacher but also as a passionate lover
Bhagavad Gita 18.64 sarva-guhyatamaṁ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ iṣṭo ’si me dṛḍham iti tato vakṣyāmi te hitam Now hear from me the most secret [...]
Let your wisdom restore my intelligence and redirect my independence
Bhagavad Gita 18.63 iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ guhyād guhyataraṁ mayā vimṛśyaitad aśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru Thus have I spoken wisdom invaluable, Among secrets, this is [...]
When will I stop asking how you can be relevant to me, and start asking how I can be relevant to you?
Bhagavad Gita 18.62 tam eva śaraṇaṁ gaccha sarva-bhāvena bhārata tat-prasādāt parāṁ śāntiṁ sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śāśvatam Take refuge in him with all your heart, From him, [...]
Free me from the illusion that I am free
Bhagavad Gita 18.59 yad ahaṅkāram āśritya na yotsya iti manyase mithyaiṣa vyavasāyas te prakṛtis tvāṁ niyokṣyati If, clinging to ego, you think, “I won’t fight,” [...]
Even when I am occupied with the world, may I be oriented toward you
Bhagavad Gita 18.57 cetasa sarva-karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ buddhi-yogam upāśritya mac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava Offer mentally to me all your action, Make me your highest aspiration; [...]