Study scripture as an existential seeker, not as a historical investigator
Some people study scripture largely, if not entirely, from a historical perspective – they focus on when it was written, what was the general culture [...]
Stepping-stones can become sucking swamps if we don’t step over in time
“Go from darkness to light, from illusion to truth, from mortality to immortality,” exhorts a celebrated aphorism from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28). The Bhagavad-gita, also [...]
The idea to serve Krishna is far more important than the ideas to serve Krishna
The idea to serve Krishna refers to our broad understanding that life is meant for serving him. The ideas to serve Krishna refer to our [...]
Those who make pleasure the purpose of their life make their life purposeless
We are all innately pleasure-seeking. Gita wisdom explains that we being souls, eternal parts of Krishna, can find the supreme pleasure by serving him with [...]
Take emotions into account but don’t let them be the only thing in the account
At the start of the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna is overcome by myriad complex emotions that bring him on the verge of an emotional breakdown. By the [...]
When we hide ourselves from ourselves, we destroy ourselves
Leading a principle-centered life involves a dynamic tension between our aspirations, which are determined by our cherished principles, and our actions, which is often determined [...]
Nonviolence that allows exploiters to become rulers is violence
Many people feel uncomfortable with the idea of a religious book, the Bhagavad-gita, urging war. They would probably be surprised to find their feelings echoed [...]
Temptation induces the pretender’s mask to fall and the seeker’s guard to rise
As spiritual seekers, we aspire to follow the principles of moral and spiritual integrity given in the scriptures. But due to our past conditionings we [...]
Let intelligence guard the path from impulse to intent
Impulse is an urge that comes to us, sometimes without our conscious bidding. Intent is a decision that comes out of us, with at least some level of conscious [...]
Lust is not just vicious but also voracious
“What makes a person do something as terrible as that?” This universal question about human behavior is echoed by Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita (03.36). The [...]
Opportunity doesn’t create immorality; mentality does
“That was such a situation – anyone would have succumbed to the temptation.” By thus pointing our fingers at the circumstances, we often try to [...]
One who rides a tiger into its lair becomes its dinner
Riding something that moves fast can be exhilarating. To get that thrill, many people drive bikes or horses at high speed. But suppose a person [...]
Devotion encompasses both reconnection of the world and its renunciation
Some people fear that devotion to Krishna will require them to renounce the world. However, devotion requires not renunciation of the world, but its reconnection [...]
Confusion in attribution obscures illumination – end confusion with devotion
People ask: “If God, the creator of the world, is good, why is there so much evil in the world?” The question reveals a fundamental [...]
The greatest threat to individual freedom is the individual
Few things raise people's guard as much as threats to their freedom from totalitarian governments. Yet they often overlook the greatest threat to individual freedom [...]
When a wildfire appears to be the cure for a burn, a wildfire is burning our head
When a fire burns us, we immediately move away from it towards something cooling and healing. Yet when the fire of lust burns us, we [...]
Be a warrior, not a worrier
An unchanging characteristic of life is change. And change often puts us into anxiety, especially when it is undesirable, unpredictable or uncontrollable. Such anxiety, if [...]
Lust is worse than our worst enemy
Our culture glamorizes lust as the source of life’s greatest pleasure. In jolting contrast, the Bhagavad-gita (03.37) warns that lust is the enemy of the [...]
Spiritual advancement comes not just by change of activity but by change of mentality
Materialism habituates us to seeking happiness by changing our externals new dress, new car, new job, new house, even new spouse. When we come to [...]
Fight for all that you have with all that you have
If someone came to pick our pocket, we would usually not let it go without a fight. The greater the wealth to be lost, the [...]
Show temptation the red light – not the red carpet
Self-destruction. That’s the bane of humanity. From hot-heads who break hearts due to their urge for speaking thoughtlessly to sex addicts who risk their dignity [...]