Celebrate the commotion of emotion in the ocean of devotion
Some people conceive of spiritual perfection as an emotionless peace, a sanctuary of silence beyond the agitations and complications of material existence. Gita wisdom acknowledges [...]
When we demand Krishna’s protection on our terms, we deprive ourselves of his best protection
When we face problems, we often pray to Krishna for protection. He always protects, but not necessarily on our terms. If we demand protection on [...]
The road from beauty to reality can be seen only by purity
Some people ask, “When God has created the beauty of this world, why do scriptures decry it as illusion?” Firstly, scriptures don’t decry beauty itself [...]
Envy is degrading; esteem is ennobling
Envy is a typical human response on seeing others better than us. But it’s not the only possible response – esteem is a healthier alternative. [...]
Faith generated by miracles is not as consequential as the miracle generated by faith
Some religions call for faith based on the miracles that happened at their inception, say, the resurrection of their founder from the dead. Atheists contest [...]
There is no reason for reason without a transcendental source of reason
Materialists often portray themselves as champions of reason and deride religionists as peddlers of irrational beliefs. However, the very reason they claim to champion has [...]
The point of the world is to point beyond the world
When we see the distress, destruction and death that characterize this world, we may get the question: “What is the point of it all?” But [...]
The notion that bhakti is for the less intelligent is less intelligent
Some Bhagavad-gita commentators state: “Bhakti is for sentimental, less intelligent people; whereas jnana is for intelligent people.” A careful study of the Gita, however, reveals [...]
Might my own thing not be my own thing?
Many people reject discipline: “I want to be free to do my own thing.” Our aspiration to be free is natural and laudable. But we [...]
Ignite the light that makes the inner world bright and right
Whenever power goes off, the darkness makes us tentative, insecure, even paralytic. No wonder we constantly strive to keep our outer world well lit. Yet [...]
Krishna speaks about his glories not to prove his position but to improve our disposition
Some people ask: “Why does Krishna insist repeatedly in the Bhagavad-gita readers that he is God? Why does he need to prove his position?” Because [...]
Krishna is better than the best that the world can offer
“I will miss so much pleasure if I devote myself to Krishna.” This feeling may check us while practicing spiritual life, especially its regulative principles. [...]
To hear Krishna accurately, first hear about Krishna attentively
“Can we hear Krishna speaking to us from within?” We may get this question when we come to know from the Bhagavad-gita that Krishna resides [...]
Let adversity pave the way to the discovery of real prosperity
When we practice devotional service, we often expect that we will automatically get protection from worldly adversity. So we become baffled on discovering that devotees [...]
Life is too precious to be wasted in doubting
“This doesn’t make sense.” We may get such doubts while studying Gita wisdom. To ensure that doubts don’t swamp our spiritual prospects, we need to [...]
Be intelligent enough to know what to do when you don’t know what to do
Life often puts us in perplexities. When we don’t know what to do, what do we do? Some people respond with kneejerk reactions, others, with [...]
When the world has got so much from us, why should Krishna get less?
Few worldly things activate us as much as the prospect of enjoyment. Among all forms of enjoyment, the most stimulating is sexual enjoyment. The mind [...]
Is spiritual shopping taking the place of spiritual seeking?
Ours is an age of obsessive individualism. Everyone wants to do their own thing. This holds true all the more for spirituality, wherein people frequently [...]
Love is the ultimate knowledge – and is the way to the ultimate knowledge
Love reigns supreme. Not just in matters of the heart, but also in matters of the head. This is the sweet and supreme insight of [...]
Invest emotion to relish transformation
We live where our heart lives. When our heart lives in material things, we live in the material world. When our heart lives in Krishna, [...]
Krishna is Krishna’s best blessing
“I am spending so much of my time and energy serving Krishna; why doesn’t he bless me with the things that I need?” Such questions [...]