Does how others perceive us matter? (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 4)
Does how others perceive us matter? - The Bhagavad-gita (01.34) states that for those who have been honored, dishonor is worse than death. This verse [...]
How fear of dishonor can motivate us (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 3)
How fear of dishonor can motivate us - Dishonor or shame can motivate us to desist from a wrong choice or persist in a right [...]
Is dishonor really worse than death? (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 2)
Is dishonor really worse than death? - The Bhagavad-gita (02.34) declares that for respectable people, dishonor is worse than death. This verse raises the question: [...]
Why be bothered by dishonor? (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 1)
Why be bothered by dishonor? - The Bhagavad-gita (02.34) declares that for those who have been honored, dishonor is worse than death. This verse raises [...]
Respecting others while refuting their misconceptions (Balancing independence and guidance 5)
Respecting others while refuting their misconceptions- When Arjuna surrenders to Krishna, seeking guidance about dharma, Krishna begins his response with words that can seem like [...]
Gita 02.08 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
BG 2.8 na hi prapasyami mamapanudyad yac chokam ucchoshanam indriyanam avapya bhumav asapatnam riddham rajyam suranam api cadhipatyam SYNONYMS na -- do not; hi [...]
How Krishna respects Arjuna’s independence before giving guidance (Balancing independence and guidance series 4)
How Krishna respects Arjuna's independence before giving guidance - Suppose we can give good advice to someone whom we are not officially or relationally obligated [...]
Three levels of answers to the Gita’s driving question (Appreciating the Gita’s flow 1)
Three levels of answers to the Gita’s driving question - The Bhagavad-gita (02.07) is spoken by Krishna to answer Arjuna’s question, “What is dharma, the [...]
Gita 02.62 explained
So after describing this Krishna describes if one doesn’t try to regulate his senses then one can fall down disastrously. So how one may [...]
Watch your mental input (Managing the mind series 1)
Watch your mental input - Suppose we are going on tour, riding a strong swift horse. Suppose the horse catches sight of a juicy vegetable [...]
Gita 02.44 explained
And after that Krishna describes give up that attachment. BG 2.44 bhogaisvarya-prasaktanam tayapahrita-cetasam vyavasayatmika buddhih samadhau na vidhiyate SYNONYMS bhoga -- to material enjoyment; [...]
How our desires shape us far more than we realize — Desire management series 2
How our desires shape us far more than we realize — Desire management series 2 - Suppose we are driving a car through dark, difficult, [...]
Gita 02.67 explained
BG 2.67 indriyanam hi caratam yan mano 'nuvidhiyate tad asya harati prajnam vayur navam ivambhasi SYNONYMS indriyanam -- of the senses; hi -- certainly; [...]
A likely feature of our likely future
A likely feature of our likely future - Few technological advances have changed our daily lives as much as smartphones. Though phones have made many [...]
So boring or sobering?
So boring or sobering? - Suppose we are traveling by boat through a vast ocean and we hear a weather warning on the boat radio, [...]
When achievement translates into fulfillment
When achievement translates into fulfillment - We all want to do something worthwhile, something that the world will notice and appreciate. Unfortunately, that isn’t easy. [...]
The courage to take a hard look at ourselves
The courage to take a hard look at ourselves - A mirror helps us see how we look, or more specifically, see whether how we [...]
How to be more creative?
How to be more creative? - Creativity is essentially divinity manifesting through humanity. When we are creative, we become channels for a wisdom far bigger [...]
Gita 02.52 explained
Now, after describing this, Krishna will again come to the point of how this attainment of anamayam (2.51) is beyond even the Vedas. It [...]
How intelligence and scripture may increase our illusions
How intelligence and scripture may increase our illusions - The Bhagavad-gita (02.53) cautions that our intelligence can get lost in the forest of illusion created [...]
How are thoughts and emotions related
How are thoughts and emotions related - Thoughts and emotions are sometimes seen as sequential — when we think steadily about something, we feel emotions [...]