Progression can become stagnation when there is misconception about destination
Gita wisdom offers an inclusive spiritual program that allows people with varying spiritual drives to choose a path that suits their level of commitment. Thus, [...]
Peace bought at the cost of justice can be the worst violence
Some people ask, “The Bhagavad-gita is said to be a spiritual book, yet it endorses violence. Isn’t that anti-spiritual?” No, because the Gita is a [...]
Feel-good without think-good and act-good is no good
Some people, especially those influenced by new-age notions, equate spirituality with a feel-good laissez-faire: “Whatever makes you feel good is spiritual – no need to bother [...]
Krishna is our source not chronologically, but ontologically
Some people ask: “If we souls are eternal, as is Krishna, then how can he be our source?” The Bhagavad-gita itself presents both viewpoints before [...]
Be present in the present to receive Krishna’s present of purity
Purity is a cherished aspiration of serious spiritualists. When we become pure, we can relish Krishna’s beauty, please him with our service and enter his [...]
Spiritual culture raises humans from survival of the fittest to sacrifice by the fittest
Survival of the fittest may be a defining feature of nature, but it doesn’t inspire or bring meaning to life. Inspiring are the examples of [...]
The sanctity of spirituality doesn’t erode but enhances the dignity of humanity
Some people ask: “If we stay equal and unaffected amidst happiness and distress, gain and loss, victory and defeat, as the Bhagavad-gita (02.38) recommends, won’t [...]
Accepting responsibility begins with accepting responsibility for irresponsibility
Suppose a drunken person drives a car and is caught for driving drunk. Intoxication can make some drunkards so irresponsible that they may not even [...]
Be thoughtful; believe not thoughts that make us fools
We are constantly full of thoughts, but we are not always thoughtful. In fact, many of our thoughts make us fools, for they impel us [...]
To fathom the depth of Krishna’s love, we need to fathom the breadth and the length of our existence
“When Krishna is letting so much suffering happen in my life, does he really love me?” This question may trouble us. Gita wisdom indicates that [...]
Don’t try to empty the heart of selfish desires; crowd them out
We all are prone to bouts of selfish indulgence, wherein the urge for pleasure overwhelms our spiritual devotion and our moral principles. After such lapses, [...]
To control temper, temper control
When things go wrong, we sometimes lose our temper, and do things that only worsen the problem. How can we control our temper? By tempering [...]
When we give up sense enjoyment for Krishna’s sake, Krishna gives us the best enjoyment through the senses
Some people question: “If I give up sense enjoyment, as serious spiritual life requires, then what enjoyment will be left in my life? This hesitation [...]
Possessor, possess thyself!
“I want more.” This urge often consumes us, largely due to our culture’s glamorization of possessions and possessors. Unfortunately, no matter how hard we work [...]
Those who overestimate their intelligence underutilize their potential
When things go wrong, we may appeal to Krishna for help. If no help appears forthcoming, we may doubt Krishna: “Why doesn’t he help me?” [...]
Enlightenment raises us from the fear of death to the death of fear
The fear of death haunts all living beings. This fear actuates the many intricate adaptations for self-preservation among nonhuman beings as well as the elaborate [...]
Things may belong, but for how long?
We treasure our belongings, especially those belongings that are worth a lot financially or mean a lot emotionally. Many people go even further, making their [...]
Be flexible, but not fickle
As students of the Gita, we may face this question. “How can we live according to the Gita’s ancient tradition in today’s world?” By being [...]
To minimize weariness, maximize wariness
If we had to do everything that everyone wanted us to do, we would soon become exhausted. That’s why we learn to say no to [...]
Tolerance fosters not impotence but perseverance
In spiritual life, tolerance is an important virtue. Internalizing this virtue may present us a dilemma: “If I just tolerate the things that happen to [...]
If we let all that happens matter, then we don’t let all that matters happen
We sometimes make small things unnecessarily big. When we are on our way to office, unseasonal rains delay us and upset our schedule for the [...]