Chapter 13

Our mind often keeps us dissatisfied by looking at those who have more than us. Though such a vision can foster ambition, more often it [...]

Suppose someone champions a good cause such as making society more equitable. Yet if anyone objects to their particular plans for bringing about equality, these [...]

We all know various areas where we can improve ourselves: exercise regularly, become better-organized, meditate earnestly.  Yet we often neglect such self-improvement. Why? Because we [...]

When we interact with others, we often start comparing ourselves with them. We feel superior to them if our talents or achievements are greater than [...]

Our ego often acts like a trident that pierces us with three prongs: grandiosity, blame and shame.  Grandiosity: When we set out to achieve something, [...]

We all sometimes become frustrated when we are forced into downtime because the Internet or the power go off or because a pandemic forces us [...]

Suppose we are trapped in a chamber and are trying to push the locked door open. But suppose simultaneously, someone is trying to liberate us, [...]

Suppose an army fought determinedly against an enemy and won the war — yet lost the disputed territory. How might that happen? Maybe another regiment [...]

In today’s digitally-connected world, our devices inform us instantaneously of news from all over the world. Additionally, we are socially expected to be aware of [...]

We often live in denial of death. Of course, if asked directly, we will admit, “I will die one day.” But that admission rings with [...]

We, as a society, live largely in denial of death. Those who contemplate death are often deemed life-denying and hope-sapping pessimists.  In marked contrast, the [...]

When we are placed in situations that distance us from others, we may naturally feel lonely. And that loneliness can drain and depress us. But [...]

During pandemics, we protect ourselves from germs using a hand sanitizer. Simultaneously, we need to protect ourselves from unhealthy emotions such as panic; these emotions [...]

How do we make sense of absolute-sounding statements in wisdom-texts such as the Bhagavad-gita? Consider its declaration at the end of a list of twenty [...]