We can’t avoid being pushed by time, but we can choose where we are pushed by time
Just as leaves fallen in an ocean are pushed inexorably by waves, we are pushed inexorably by time toward death. Does that mean we are [...]
Just because pain is circumstantially beneficial doesn’t mean it is intrinsically desirable
Some people try to make sense of life’s difficulties by saying, “Pain helps us appreciate pleasure better. Bad times make good times sweeter.” Certainly, pain [...]
For God, no problem is too big – or too small
When we face big problems that we can’t solve on our own, we seek help from someone bigger than us. If we are religious, we [...]
Gita 08.22 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Now Sri Krishna will describe how [...]
Devotion is expressed through intention and attention, not just emotion and action
People often equate devotion with feel-good emotions or ritualistic actions. If they feel good while practicing bhakti or if they execute religious rituals diligently, they [...]
Don’t just keep waiting – keep pushing too
When urged to practice spiritual life, some people stay lethargic, saying, “I am waiting to get an inner call.” However, do we adopt such an [...]
Life may be filled with problems, but life is not a problem
When faced with many problems, some people may become depressed, even suicidal, “Life itself is one big problem; I just want to end it through [...]
We may have a great vehicle, but we won’t get anywhere unless we get into it
Suppose we want to go to a particular destination and have an efficient vehicle for getting there. Still, we need to get into it and [...]
See pain as a protector and a pointer
Pain is rarely desired, yet it is universally experienced. Seeing its prevalence raises the question, “Why does pain exist at all?” Gita wisdom explains that [...]
Just as wet clothes can’t dry us, an impure mind can’t purify us
Suppose we get drenched by rains. On rushing home, if we try to dry ourselves using the wet clothes we are wearing, we labor in [...]
The supreme abode is the Supreme’s abode
The supreme abode refers to life’s ultimate destination. Some people think that the ultimate destination is the impersonal Brahman effulgence, the infinite oneness into which [...]
The world is a place for treatment, not enjoyment
Some people consider the Bhagavad-gita pessimistic because it deems this world a distressful place. However, the Gita is not pessimistic – it is materially realistic [...]
Spiritual evolution is best energized by devotional elevation
We all are on a multi-lifetime journey of spiritual evolution. We are at our core spiritual beings. As our consciousness expands and evolves, we find [...]
Think not how far the spiritual world is; think how close the Lord of the spiritual world is
Whenever we embark on anything challenging, our attitude determines whether we will persevere or quit. During our spiritual journey too, our attitude is critical. What [...]
When we love the Lord more than the world, he takes us out of the world
While driving, where we go depends largely on where we want to go. This principle that our aspiration determines our destination also applies to our [...]
Gita 08.04 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 8.4 adhibhūtaṁ kṣaro bhāvaḥ [...]
Fixing the mind on Krishna is the lever for fixing the mind
When something doesn’t work properly, we need to fix it. We all need to fix our mind because it frequently malfunctions by getting distracted. It [...]
Combination of inner recollection and outer contribution nourishes devotion
Some people think of devotion as an impractical, sentimental, other-worldly obsession. However, the Bhagavad-gita’s context refutes this caricature of devotion. The Gita’s student, Arjuna, wanted [...]
Gita 08.20 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Now Krishna after describing this material [...]
The spiritual world exists not just at a different location but at a different level of reality
The Bhagavad-gita informs us about the spiritual world, which is the ultimate destination for us as souls. This spiritual world is sometimes shown to be [...]
Reality is not as rosy as our dreams, but neither is it as scary as our nightmares
We often see life with rose-tinted glasses because of the media propaganda that unending sensual bliss is available through worldly enjoyment. These fantasies are deflated [...]