Losing the core of who we are
That the world is changing is just life's inevitable reality. But how we are responding to it is not inevitable. It is either intentional or [...]
Gita 02.16 explained
2.11-2.30: counters first argument – compassion So now Krishna will describe actually there are two natures, what is this 'mritatvaya? What is this eternity we [...]
Why study philosophy?
If we are to study any subject, we feel more motivated if we understand the purpose of that study. For example, if we are told [...]
Appreciating our spiritual identity can anchor us amid the turbulence of contemporary society
In today's world, people grow up bereft of many of the supports that grounded and guided their formation of identity and the development of their [...]
The search for security is ultimately the search for spirituality
Some people say, “I am not interested in any spiritual stuff.” They feel uninterested because often they don’t understand what spirituality is. In today’s culture, [...]
Some things never change – and some things change us forever
We all have an innate urge to change things for the better. Knowing where to direct this urge so that we can really improve things [...]
Don’t let persistence of vision cause persistence of illusion
Persistence of vision refers to the erroneous perception caused by the eye’s inability to perceive change occurring at a high speed. For example, if someone [...]
Circumstances are like carpets – keep them below, not above
Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances. Not being able to respond appropriately to them, we may even feel as if we are simply being [...]
The stars continue to shine even if we can’t see them
Stars brighten and beautify the night-sky. But when thick clouds darken the sky, we can’t see the stars, though we know with out intelligence that [...]
The usage “spirit of matter” is an oxymoron that points to an ox and a moron
An oxymoron is a literary device in which contradictory words are placed together to convey a deeper meaning. The usage ‘the spirit of matter’ is [...]
When we make the sea our ground, how can we avoid being moved around?
When we stand on solid ground, the steadiness underneath us gives a sense of safety. In contrast, when we stand on a rocking boat, we [...]
Don’t eternalize the present; contextualize it
When we face problems, they sometimes overwhelm us so much that we can’t think of anything else. We feel as if the problem will never [...]
Checked, but never checkmated
Practicing spiritual life in the material world is challenging. This challenge exists at all times because materialism is inherent to the material world. The challenge [...]
Be Intense, not Tense
The pace and pressure of our contemporary lifestyle often makes us stressed. This tension is a nag that lurks constantly in the background of our [...]
Be rooted in the unchanging, not the changing
The Bhagavad-gita (02.16) encourages us to meditate on the difference between the unchanging, the spiritual realm within, and the changing, the material realm without. Gita [...]
Krishna is realer than reality
In our times of trouble, we may doubt, “Does Krishna really exist?” Gita wisdom turns this doubt on the head by prompting the doubt, “Does [...]
Value change, but don’t change values
Our present existence is bi-dimensional: we are spiritual beings residing in material bodies. Harmonizing the material and the spiritual dimensions of our existence is a [...]
Be concerned but not disturbed by change
The world around us is subject to constant change, change that is often unstoppable, uncontrollable and unpredictable. The Bhagavad-gita (02.16) indicates that the best way [...]