To get on the way to Krishna, get out of Krishna’s way
Just as a river naturally flows towards the ocean, so does our heart in its pure state flow towards Krishna. But just as the river’s [...]
Do the extraordinary for the extraordinary, not the ordinary
We all want to do something special, and thereby get some special happiness. To get this happiness, we need to re-educate ourselves about what is [...]
Slave not to get worldly recognition; strive to give Krishna recognition
We all feel sometimes that our abilities are not adequately recognized, that we are underappreciated. Most people spend their entire lives trying to correct this [...]
Krishna is not a dispensable filler; he is an indispensable shelter
“I don’t have time.” That’s how we often respond whenever we are urged to give devotion to Krishna its due place in our lives. This [...]
Don’t reduce the spiritual to the practical; let the spiritual expand the practical
“That’s not practical.” We may thus dismiss forms of spirituality that require commitment like devotional service. We usually consider as practical that which requires little [...]
Focus on how close you are, not how far you are
Our struggles as a devotee-seeker may dishearten us: “I have no love for Krishna. Even when I pray, chant or take darshan, my mind goes [...]
The propellant of spirituality is not detachment but attachment
People often think of spirituality as centered on detachment – renunciation of pleasures, positions, possessions, even individuality and relationships. Such a conception makes spirituality appear [...]
Rise from “willpower is power” to “willpower is his power”
We all need willpower for doing anything worthwhile. In fact, willpower is the power that unleashes our other powers such as undeveloped talents. Without willpower, [...]
Krishna is concealed, but not contained, by the modes
When we come to know that Krishna is everywhere, we may naturally wonder: “Why can’t I perceive him everywhere or, for that matter, anywhere?” The [...]
Our vulnerability points to our opportunity
We may get the question, “Why do we get tempted and deluded so easily? Why are we so vulnerable?” Gita wisdom answers that our vulnerability [...]
Don’t just bring Krishna into your life; let Krishna bring you into his life
Most people think of God only when they are in trouble, especially the kind of trouble they can’t solve on their own. They hope he [...]
Have the intelligence to doubt the supremacy of the intelligence
“Look at all the incredible advances that modern science has made – all thanks to our human intelligence.” Such thoughts impel many people to enthrone [...]
Accepting that we are ordinary is extraordinary
We all like to think that we are special. And Gita wisdom agrees that we indeed are. Spiritually, each one of us is a unique [...]
Might we be blocking the progress of a work in progress?
Suppose a child lying on a mother’s lap sees her mother stitching and weaving a cloth. The needle seems to come in and out of [...]
We are our own devils
Some traditions have the conception of the Devil, an intrinsically evil being who is independent of and almost as powerful as God. He wants to [...]
Trust not just Krishna’s omnipotence – trust also his omniscience
When faced with a problem, we may pray to Krishna to solve it. On finding that the solution is not forthcoming, we may start doubting: [...]
From the reality of nature to the nature of reality
The reality of nature: Intrying to understand this,science equates the natural with the material. All the great theories of science are essentially attempts to understand [...]
Be not fanatical – be fanatically focused
Some people ask Krishna devotees, “When the Vedic culture includes the worship of so many gods, why are you a Krishna fanatic?” Because Krishna devotees [...]
Anahankara = an + aham + car (I am not my car)
“You are your car,” claims a billboard displaying a person driving a flashy car. The ad indicates how one’s car determines one’s image in [...]
Raise the curiosity radar from the how questions to the why questions
Curiosity is one of our defining characteristics – we are shaped by what we seek and find on our curiosity radar. Science, philosophy, literature and [...]
Dig the grave of materialism, functional and fanatical
Materialism comes in two main brands: fanatical materialism which claims that matter is all that exists; and functional materialism which claims that matter is all [...]