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’ [...]
Meditation can shut things up and out — and can do more
Different people approach meditation for different purposes. Some people feel drained by the world's constant demands and turn toward meditation, hoping to shut things out [...]
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 [...]
Some people use yoga to stretch their bodies; others, to stretch the truth
Yoga has become immensely popular in today's world. Millions practice yoga as a tool for making the body fitter, slimmer, healthier. They equate yoga with [...]
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 watch the mind’s movie, the more we make our life a horror movie
Suppose a friend takes us to a movie theater and then gets us so engrossed in watching the movie that we become oblivious to everything [...]
Gita 06.10 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 6.10-32: From practice to perfection in [...]
Social isolation can be an opportunity to realize how we all are spiritually connected
Suppose a pandemic compels us to adopt social distancing. Instead of feeling lonely, we can repurpose that isolation for spiritual growth. In fact, that’s what [...]
The mind demands that others leave us alone and then complains they don’t care for us
Suppose someone who we care for is going through difficulties. When we try to help them, they demand from us, “Leave me alone”, but then [...]
Avoiding some risks keeps us alive, taking some risks brings us alive
The world is filled with dangers that can overrun us if we aren’t careful. Avoiding unnecessary risks keeps us alive. Still, we want to not [...]
We need inner accounting before we can have inner accountability
Suppose a social welfare organization is short of money and asks us to become a regular patron. Naturally, we will want some accountability. But if [...]
Treating the mind as an enemy can be uncomfortable, treating it as a friend can be fatal — treat it as a patient
Suppose we are living with someone prone to wild mood swings. We will need to watch them carefully to understand their present mood and adapt [...]
Gita 06.36 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 33-37: Dealing with the mind, the [...]
Even if others don’t take us seriously, still we can take ourselves seriously
Suppose we have an important suggestion that can improve a project we are a part of. But our inputs aren’t allowed or asked or acknowledged [...]
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, [...]
To take the task of training the mind seriously, stop taking everything it says seriously
Suppose we have a child. If we take the responsibility of caring for and training the child seriously, we won’t take everything the child says [...]
Condescension looks down at others while laughing at them; compassion lifts others up while laughing with them
Suppose someone walking on a road slips and falls into a manhole. If onlookers laugh without helping, that would be terrible. To laugh at others [...]
Gita 06.16 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 10-32: From practice to perfection in [...]
The essence of renunciation is not giving up worldly things, it is giving up worldly thoughts
Some people define spiritual advancement in terms of renunciation: the more one physically renounces worldly things, the more spiritually advanced one is. Significantly, the Bhagavad-gita [...]
The stronger the hold of problems on our mind, the weaker becomes our hold on ourselves
Suppose we see a friend getting rattled when facing problems. We may tell them, “Get a hold on yourself.” This common usage suggests that we [...]
The mind makes the uncomfortable seem unbearable and then makes us do the unconscionable
Suppose someone lives in a place with uncomfortably hot weather. If they accept their situation, they will gradually get used to it. But suppose they [...]