When efforts to concentrate just don’t work …
Whenever we are trying to meditate on Krishna, we may often be challenged by our mind’s wandering here and there. In the Bhagavad-gita (6.26), Krishna [...]
When the mind works overtime
Normally, if a person works overtime that person is doing extra work for their employer which pleases the employer and the employer will reward the [...]
Resisting the mind’s myopia
The mind has a myopia with regards to other's point of view, especially when that point of view challenges the mind's comforts and desires. Myopia [...]
Focus on progress not success
To grow steadily, focus on progress, not on success. Whenever we start doing something challenging, such as focusing our mind and learning to gain mastery [...]
Can’t hold the mind still?
Even if we can't hold our mind still, we can still hold ourselves still. Suppose a mother is trying to get her child to sit [...]
Why the mind is a terrible leader
Suppose we had a colleague with a take-charge attitude who pushed us into going along with their ideas. If they didn’t really know what they [...]
Why is it so difficult to focus?
When we want to do anything important, why do we often find it so difficult to focus? Due to the combined consequence of three forceful [...]
Why monitoring the mind is so important (Managing the mind series 6)
Suppose we are piloting a plane, taking it on an important mission. Suppose further we have been alerted that the plane’s navigation software is vulnerable [...]
Are we training our mind in distraction or in concentration?
We all have noticed times when we get distracted, sometimes from important things. If only we could concentrate more, we could do so many things [...]
Are we giving too much time to our mind?
Suppose we know certain people who talk too much and waste our time. When we meet them, we will politely but firmly restrict our meeting [...]
Why minor distractions aren’t minor?
Suppose an army is marching to a disputed territory and has limited stocks of food. If the enemy creates decoys that divert the army, each [...]
Meditation is not a rehearsal
[three_fourth_last]When we strive to meditate, we are urged to practice it, that is, do it repeatedly to get better at it. However, the word ‘practice’ [...]
If your mind says you are a quitter …
We all start more things than we complete. When something becomes too demanding or boring or unproductive, or when it seems to require more self-mastery [...]
Things that are worth doing, are worth doing well — and worth doing badly too
“If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” This saying is helpful if it inspires us to be wholehearted in doing whatever [...]
The more we become conscious of where our consciousness is, the more we can tap the power of our consciousness
We are always conscious, but we aren’t always conscious of where our consciousness is. Our consciousness is our most undervalued resource. Whatever we do, learn, [...]
The mind is not afraid to interrupt us, don’t be afraid to interrupt it
Suppose we are working in a team with someone who keeps interrupting us. And what they suggest is mostly distracting at best and disastrous at [...]
The essence of commitment is recommitment
We sometimes resolve to do something constructive such as exercising, meditating, studying wisdom-texts or becoming more tolerant in our relationships. But we often fail to [...]
During our idle time, the mind works overtime
We often look forward to holidays when we can just relax, free from life’s daily grind. But unfortunately, during such breaks, small things get to [...]
If we don’t double-check the mind, it will double-cross us
If we don’t double-check the mind, it will double-cross us Suppose an agent were prodding us to sign an important deal. If that dealer were [...]
Going off-course is not the problem; staying off-course is
Suppose a plane flies from Los Angeles to New York. During 90% of its flight time, it is off-course. Why? Because of its own momentum [...]
Letting the mind run free is the quickest path to exhaustion
After waking up in the morning, suppose we soon feel tired, even though we have hardly exerted ourselves. Why might that be? Often, such exhaustion [...]