What’s wrong with hating those who have wronged us (Beyond black and white conceptions series 3)
What’s wrong with hating those who have wronged us - We may encounter some people who seem to have made it their life’s mission to [...]
Are we devaluing our life by overvaluing our autonomy?
Sometimes, life puts us in situations that reduce our autonomy: a demanding job, a difficult relationship, a dreadful disease. If we overvalue autonomy, deeming it [...]
How to know if we are standing for God?
Many people want to or claim to stand for God. That means they want to represent God and to challenge those who malign [...]
Prayer is meant to act as a complement to prudent action not as a replacement
Prayer is meant to act as a complement to prudent action not as a replacement Some people think of prayer as a magic wand to [...]
Forgiveness shouldn’t enable atrocity; it should end animosity
To know when to forgive, we need to recognize two different needs: ending atrocity and ending animosity. Ending atrocity: If someone is treating us hurtfully, [...]
To perceive God, we don’t need any instrument; we only need to become his instrument
On seeing impressive scientific instruments, we may wonder, “Can science develop an instrument sophisticated enough to perceive God?” That’s like asking: will a future telescope [...]
Just because it’s not up to you doesn’t mean that you are not up to it
Just because it's not up to you doesn't mean that you are not up to it When we are asked to do something challenging, especially [...]
What we achieve depends on not just how we strive but also on what we believe
What we achieve depends on not just how we strive but also on what we believe Some people think, “If you just work hard, you [...]
On some days, in some ways, we all can make a difference – provided we try
On some days in some ways we all can make a difference - provided we try During our lives, we sometimes wonder, “Whatever I do, [...]
Our clock may stop, but time doesn’t – don’t waste time
Our clock may stop but time doesn’t - don’t waste time Suppose we are working on a deadline-driven project. While we are racing against time, [...]
Trying to get even with others gets us at odds with ourselves
Trying to get even with others gets us at odds with ourselves Whenever anyone hurts us, a natural human tendency is to want to get [...]
Gita 11.34 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 11.34 droṇaṁ ca bhīṣmaṁ [...]
Just because we can do the impossible doesn’t mean we can do everything
Just because we can do the impossible doesn’t mean we can do everything Impossible is a word in a fool’s dictionary – what is the [...]
We may have to fight against others but we don’t have to be against others
We may have to fight against others but we don’t have to be against others When we strive to lead a principle-centered life, those who [...]
Time can be a fire in which we burn or a teacher from whom we learn
Time can be a fire in which we burn or a teacher from whom we learn Time is a formidable, inexorable force that pushes us [...]
Thinking about worldly things is not attachment being unable to stop thinking of them is
Thinking about worldly things is not attachment being unable to stop thinking of them is Attachment is a state of mental bondage wherein our thoughts [...]
Focus not on the wrongdoer; focus on the ultimate doer
Focus not on the wrongdoer; focus on the ultimate doer When somebody treats us unfairly and hurtfully, we naturally feel angry, even vengeful. But such [...]
Don’t just speak philosophy – seek the purpose of philosophy
Don't just speak philosophy – seek the purpose of philosophy The Bhagavad-gita (13.12) states that the purpose of philosophy is to understand the true nature [...]
The awe-inspiring mystery of God is to be venerated not penetrated
The awe-inspiring mystery of God is to be venerated not penetrated When we come to know of Krishna’s form, pastimes, philosophy, associates, paraphernalia, we may [...]
Krishna already has the result – what he seeks is our endeavor
Some people think that Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita to persuade Arjuna to fight for establishing dharma. However, the Gita (11.33) reveals that the opponents of [...]
It takes courage to dream – and it takes courage to hand our dream over to Krishna
Achievers often talk about the courage needed to dream big and to work untiringly for actualizing the dream. But not many achievers talk about another [...]