In pursuing self-discipline is our imagination working for us or against us?
Whenever we decide to discipline ourselves, we are often jolted into action by external situations. For instance, we may notice how much weight we have [...]
Gita 02.61 – Explanation
Gita 02.61 – Control, concentration, conquest – three stages in dealing with the senses Audio Link: https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/gita-02-61-control-concentration-conquest-three-stages-in-dealing-with-the-senses/ tāni sarvāṇi saṁyamya yukta āsīta mat-paraḥ vaśe hi [...]
Let self-control take me closer to you, not deeper into duality (2.61)
Bhagavad Gita 2.61 tāni sarvāṇi saṁyamya yukta āsīta mat-paraḥ vaśe hi yasye’ndriyāṇi tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā "Restrain the senses, hold them tight, Focus them on [...]
Gita 02.61 explained
Now Krishna will describe in next verse how one can practice spiritual life, how can one get higher taste, till now He said that [...]
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 [...]
Krishna’s first indirect self-revelation (Exploring Gita chapter 2 series – 5)
Krishna’s first indirect self-revelation - The Bhagavad-gita develops its message gradually and systematically. It starts by stressing our spiritual identity (02.13) and concludes by proclaiming [...]
Does devotion result in renunciation?
Does devotion result in renunciation? - The bhakti tradition features sterling examples of great saints who became so devoted to Krishna as to completely renounce [...]
How can we become immune to temptation?
Suppose someone is living in a pandemic area. If they have developed immunity to that disease, they may think they are safe. However, if they [...]
Why do small desires exert a big pull on us?
We all sometimes get caught in small desires that delude and distract us. These desires are small in the sense that they are about trivial [...]
Why bad habits don’t go away easily
If we leave our house empty while we go elsewhere, some squatters may occupy it. When we return, they refuse to go or even let [...]
Don’t fight against your bad habits — cultivate good habits and let them fight against your bad habits
Don’t fight against your bad habits — cultivate good habits and let them fight against your bad habits When we have some bad habits, we [...]
Stop struggling to turn off the inner darkness, start striving to turn on the inner light
Stop struggling to turn off the inner darkness start striving to turn on the inner light Suppose we are lost in a dark room. We [...]
Don’t bolt from temptation bolt the door to temptation
Don’t bolt from temptation bolt the door to temptation When a horse hears a sudden loud sound, like that of a gunshot or a thunderclap, [...]
Stop worrying about avoiding temptation start working on cultivating absorption
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 [...]
Don’t be oblivious to your weaknesses but don’t be obsessed with them either
Don’t be oblivious to your weaknesses but don’t be obsessed with them either We all have strengths and weaknesses. To be oblivious to our weaknesses [...]
Purification reveals the healthier choice to be also the tastier choice
Purification reveals the healthier choice to be also the tastier choice Suppose we have to choose between candies and carrots. Even if we understand that [...]
Seek strength not just in conviction but also in connection
Seek strength not just in conviction but also in connection When we strive to grow spiritually, we need strength to resist worldly temptations. How do [...]
Be not just discerning and determined – be devoted
When we decide to do something right or give up something wrong, we need discernment. Why? Because the forces of illusion distort our perception. Illusion [...]
Change is easier when we focus on starting something positive, not on stopping something negative
We often become discouraged when we resolve to give up something negative but fail. However, we need to be prepared for such failure, knowing that [...]
Renunciation is not for deprivation but for connection and satisfaction
Many people see renunciation negatively, as deprivation of enjoyable things. However, a dramatically different picture emerges if we shift our focus from the practice of [...]
Focus on your steps, not your sidesteps
While walking on a road, suppose we keep worrying about all the slippery spots that we will have to sidestep. The resulting fear that we [...]