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 [...]
Are you aware or are you just existing?
The state of being alive is associated with activities such as growing, reproducing, preserving one's existence. The state of being aware is usually associated with [...]
Discreet Indiscretions?
When we succumb to some wrongdoings, if they are minor, we may downplay them by considering them mere indiscretions. And we may do those [...]
How to deal with discouragement
How to deal with discouragement Suppose we have an ability, but don’t have any forum for expressing it. Becoming discouraged, we stay silent. In general, [...]
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 [...]
Even if we can’t elevate our consciousness we can still expand our consciousness
Suppose we are looking at the ground level of a skyscraper building. If we look up, we may be either impressed or intimidated to see [...]
Appreciating our spiritual identity can anchor us amid the turbulence of contemporary society
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 [...]
By overemphasizing identity identity politics ends up obscuring identity
By overemphasizing identity identity politics ends up obscuring identity The word identity politics can have two distinct meanings. One is that it is a politics [...]
Gita 02.01 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
BG CH2 (Introduction) -> Sankhya Yoga - Analysis of matter and spirit by differentiating Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur (BVT) gave the name : Content [...]
The more we are emotional the less emotions we have and the more our emotions have us
Emotions bring life to our life — if we had to live like emotionless robots, there wouldn’t be much to look forward to in our [...]
People may respond to us with indifference but that doesn’t mean we aren’t making a difference
When we do something good for someone but they don’t appreciate it, that can easily dishearten us. If we are health care professionals who provide [...]
Purification means that sensual contemplation stops; determination means that we stop sensual contemplation
To grow spiritually and live meaningfully, we need to regulate sensual indulgence. For such regulation, we had best begin in the beginning: by minimizing our [...]
Gita 02.18 explained
BG 2.18 antavanta ime deha nityasyoktah saririnah anasino 'prameyasya tasmad yudhyasva bharata SYNONYMS anta-vantah -- perishable; ime -- all these; dehah -- material bodies; [...]
We can’t always move on from grief; we need to sometimes move on with grief
02.18 We can’t always move on from grief; we need to sometimes move on with grief When we lose a loved one, grief can overwhelm [...]
If what we live with becomes what we live for we end up having nothing to live for
While driving, we need two things: the fuel we drive with and the destination we drive for. If we don’t have any fuel, what we [...]
To avoid emotional extremes center your emotions on the eternal, not the external
To avoid emotional extremes center your emotions on the eternal not the external We sometimes experience mood swings, whereby small good things make us elated [...]
What we contemplate mentally we cultivate mentally
Suppose we have a garden. We will be careful about what we cultivate there. And we certainly wouldn’t intentionally cultivate weeds or toxic plants. Unfortunately, [...]
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 [...]
Sincerity can show the path to ability; it can’t substitute for ability
Suppose a loved one is terribly sick and needs surgery. We sincerely want to help them, but if we don’t know the ABC of surgery, [...]
The more we are aimless, the more we become shameless
The more we are aimless the more we become shameless Suppose a student is on vacation, with nothing specific to do. They may spend days [...]
Happiness is savored best when seen through the corner of the eye, not when stared at straight
Happiness is savored best when seen through the corner of the eye not when stared at straight Suppose an image looks attractive when seen straight, [...]