Satisfying our longing for the infinite with finite pleasures ends in addiction
We all long for pleasure. And the world promises us pleasure through its myriad material objects. But materialist propaganda downplays the fact that even the [...]
Violence is too small a weapon against evil
When anti-social elements brutalize innocents, some people declare that violence is essential to counter such terrorists. Others say that violence is not the answer – [...]
We can’t eliminate fire, but we can become firefighters
When a fire starts off, civilians often become panicky and run here and there, making things worse. But seasoned firefighters quickly spring into action – [...]
The mind may be a drinker, but the intelligence doesn’t have to be a bartender
Suppose a compulsive drinker enters a bar and orders drinks. The bartender may be obliged to obey, but if the drinker orders a well-wishing friend [...]
Our impressions go with us, but they don’t have to grow with us
Suppose we change from an old computer to a new computer. Once we log in using our id, our browsing information – such as bookmarks, [...]
Terrorism arises from ignorance, materialism and ego
To make sense of the senseless violence unleashed by terrorists, we can seek insight from the Bhagavad-gita’s analytical framework centered on the three modes of [...]
Spiritual success depends on stamina, not speed
In a sprint, speed determines success, whereas in a marathon, stamina determines success. Spiritual growth is a marathon, not a sprint. To purify our consciousness [...]
A lot is happening when nothing seems to be happening
When people meet each other, they often ask, “What’s happening?” And one reply may be, “Not much.” When people talk about happenings, they usually refer [...]
The best is not as important as the best for you
Suppose someone places a persimmon in competition with an apple and tries to make it the best apple. Not only will they fail, but also [...]
The mind is not your boss – don’t let it boss you
Suppose a colleague started bossing us around. We would rightly be annoyed and would counter, “Mind your own business. You are not my boss.” Yet [...]
To stop defeating yourself, stop deceiving yourself
Suppose a sick person denies their sickness not just to others but also to themselves. By their denial, they deprive themselves of the good health [...]
Know the mind by the company it craves
A well-known saying goes, “Man is known by the company he keeps.” We can apply this principle to our inner life for discerning the nature [...]
Lust allures men with pleasure and women with power
Men sometimes accuse women of dressing provocatively. Women sometimes accuse men of seeing women just as sex objects. Taking the discussion beyond such blame games, [...]
Respond to the fire of desire not with fright but with fight
Suppose a novice firefighter is faced with the task of dousing a huge fire. The sight of the conflagration may overwhelm him – instead of [...]
Don’t equate the confusing with the confused
When we hear someone speaking something confusing, we may infer that the speaker is confused. Such a situation though possible isn’t probable especially if the [...]
Deepen detachment by discernment
Often when we are unable to resist our lower desires, we may blame ourselves for not being adequately detached. While this may be true, we [...]
Don’t equate change of position with change of disposition
Many spiritual novices think that living in the world is the cause of entanglement and renouncing the world is the source of liberation. They sometimes [...]
Suppression causes aggravation, not rectification
Suppose a person with cough decides to suppress it. Such suppression is unsustainable – one can’t suppress the urge to cough for long – and [...]
What is violence for the infectant is benevolence for the infected
Suppose a doctor neglected treating a patient, despite having the necessary capacity. Such negligence would be culpable – in doing nothing, the doctor would be [...]
Don’t be so concerned about others’ future destination as to be cut off from their present emotion
A great danger for those following the right spiritual path is a sense of self-righteousness – the pride that we know the truth makes us [...]
The threat in here is much bigger than the threat out there
In a war, the threat from the enemies out there is big. But much bigger is the threat from the enemies in here – the [...]