Why we need to improve ourselves
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 [...]
How to stop comparing and start contributing
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 [...]
How humility protects us from the ego’s trident?
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, [...]
Gita 13.28 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Next verse talks about the [...]
Gita 13.27 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Now we are in last [...]
Gita 13.18 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 13.18 jyotiṣām api taj [...]
How to use down-time positively?
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 [...]
Are we seeking control or grace?
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, [...]
War won, territory lost?
Suppose an army fought determinedly against an enemy and won the war — yet lost the disputed territory. How might that happen? Maybe another regiment [...]
From outer news to inner news
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 [...]
How to go beyond denying and dreading death
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 [...]
Contemplating death — life-denying or life-affirming?
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 [...]
Transform depressing loneliness into nourishing solitude by seeking spiritual purpose
Transform depressing loneliness into nourishing solitude by seeking spiritual purpose When we are placed in situations that distance us from others, we may naturally feel [...]
For protection amid pandemics seek not just a hand sanitizer but also a mind sanitizer
For protection amid pandemics seek not just a hand sanitizer but also a mind sanitizer During pandemics, we protect ourselves from germs using a hand [...]
Contextualizing absolute-sounding scriptural statements doesn’t minimize those statements; not contextualizing minimizes them
Contextualizing absolute-sounding scriptural statements doesn't minimize those statements; not contextualizing minimizes them How do we make sense of absolute-sounding statements in wisdom-texts such as the [...]
More important than staying in touch with the world is staying in touch with ourselves
More important than staying in touch with the world is staying in touch with ourselves We often want to stay in touch with the world, [...]
Attachment makes us psychologically rigid, detachment makes us psychologically flexible
Attachment makes us psychologically rigid detachment makes us psychologically flexible A tree that is stiff breaks when battered by strong storms, but a flexible tree [...]
We can’t change our past, but we can change how we see and explain our past
We can't change our past but we can change how we see and explain our past We often have things in our past that we [...]
Education is meant to remove ignorance and restore innocence, not remove innocence and reinforce ignorance
Education is meant to remove ignorance and restore innocence, not remove innocence and reinforce ignorance Education is a central part of human society. We get [...]
Commitment is emotional investment, attachment is emotional dependence
Commitment is emotional investment attachment is emotional dependence During the course of our relationship with our loved ones, we may get the question: How can [...]
Value those who value you and don’t overvalue those who devalue you
Suppose we are giving a talk. If the audience is responsive and appreciative, we feel enthused to speak. But if the audience starts frowning and [...]