Forgiving is not forgetting – it is a fresh way of remembering
Forgiveness is often commended as a stellar virtue, as in the Bhagavad-gita (16.03). However, forgiving often seems difficult because we equate it with forgetting. And [...]
A pile of toys is not worth a pile of troubles
Some children have toys piling up in their rooms. Still, they crave more and more toys. And if they can’t get one new toy, they [...]
For humanity to not work against humanity, spirituality is a necessity
Today, humanity is the greatest danger to humanity – not just by direct attacks by humans on other humans but also by human exploitation of [...]
Knowledge that is inert can’t make us alert
Suppose the knowledge about road signs that we studied for getting a driving license has become inert within us. It has gone so much to [...]
Satisfaction comes most reliably not by accumulation or appreciation but by absorption
We all want to be happy. However, where we seek that happiness determines whether we will become happy or not. Quite often we look for [...]
The most dangerous jumping is jumping to conclusions
Jumping can be dangerous if we jump too far and fall twisted, injuring ourselves, or fall on someone, injuring them. While physical jumping can be [...]
Inability to stand others’ weaknesses is our weakness
When we are good at something, we can easily spot others’ weaknesses in that area. For example, if we are good at language, our attention [...]
Spiritual desolation triggers sensual obsession
When our life has no higher purpose, whatever promises of pleasures controls and drags us. For example, if we have nothing important to do on [...]
When our desires change suddenly from spiritual to sensual, know that the lasso of illusory desires has fallen on us
Suppose a kidnapped person is running away from their abductors. If suddenly they feel themselves being pulled backwards, they will look sharply to discern what [...]
Our conscience is like an automatically customizing security device – customize it intelligently
Some home security systems can be customized to allow entry to some people and to bar others. Suppose this customization is done wrong, granting entry [...]
Circumstantial anxiety can be addressed materially, but existential anxiety needs to be addressed only spiritually
Anxiety is a defining characteristic of our present existence. Specific anxieties have specific causes that can and should be addressed. However, such measures can address [...]
Do yajna of nama, not yajna for nama
Yajna of nama refers to sacrifices (yajna) centered on the chanting of the holy names of God (nama). The Bhagavad-gita (10.25) declares meditational chanting to [...]
To bring out our best, we must beat down our worst
We all aspire to improve ourselves, to bring out our best and to make our best contributions. However, there exists some force within us that [...]
Let our life’s script be shaped by scripture
When we make decisions, we usually think that we are choosing freely. However, we decide not just by our conscious intentions but also by our [...]
Fear boiled down to its barest is the absence of God
We all have our fears: loss of health, wealth or loved ones. To deal with such fears, we arrange for insurances, security systems or self-defense [...]
Anxiety is not incidental to materialism – it is intrinsic
Anxiety epidemic. That’s how psychologists describe the spiraling anxiety levels among people today. Anxieties are frequently attributed to uncertainties that arise from financial, political and [...]
The existence of evil points to God, not away from him
A common atheist argument is: “Why does evil exist?” But the question could well be turned around, “Why should evil not exist? Why do we [...]
Our purpose is to serve the Name, not to make a name
In life, what we do is important, but why we do it is equally, if not more, important. Intention is critical in religious activities, wherein [...]
The purpose of religion is not cosmetic, but cosmic
Many people practice religion for cosmetic purposes – they want to look good in society’s eyes. They may visit temples on holy days, treating such [...]
Replacing addiction to sinfulness with addiction to self-righteousness is not progress
When we start practicing bhakti, we often experience amazing transformation – even without much effort on our part, sinful habits to which we may have [...]
Forgiveness means relinquishing our right to get even
When people hurt us, we often feel the urge to get even. And when they hurt us grievously, we feel we have a right to [...]