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 [...]
Our spirituality is a specialty, not an abnormality
“You don’t have to be so serious about your spiritual life. You don’t want to become an abnormal person, do you?” Those of us committed [...]
Are needles determining our needs?
All of us have so many desires to fulfill: desires for better dresses, gadgets, cars, homes, jobs. Even when we authentically need these things, the [...]
Bhakti is characterized by simple-heartedness, not simple-mindedness
Some people think that the path of bhakti is too simplistic and so is meant for sentimental non-intellectual people. However, the simplicity characteristic of bhakti [...]
Those who make donkeys the Gita’s role models sentence themselves to donkey-like roles
“Work is worship is the central teaching of the Bhagavad-gita.” So claim many people. If they were right, then wouldn’t it make the creature that [...]
Respecting Krishna’s rights is the right way to receive his revelation
Ours is an age of rights; we recognize that every individual has certain inviolable rights. As our rights consciousness expands, it is befitting that we [...]