Illusion misdirects our determination to drive us deeper into illusion
When we become addicted to some unhealthy habit, we may try to give it up, but may keep relapsing. The illusion of pleasure may be [...]
Humility arises from acknowledging our vulnerability
Some people equate humility with lack of self-respect. However, the humble respect their self so much that they are ready to do whatever it takes [...]
Obsession can make the covetous murderous
The greed that is present in all human hearts makes us covet for more and more things, way beyond what we need. Such greed, though [...]
Drive the mind’s chariot – don’t be driven by it
If a charioteer is inattentive, the horses will take the chariot where they want instead of going where the charioteer needs to go. The Bhagavad-gita [...]
Seeking more is often the cause of our problems, not the solution
Today’s culture propagates that we can solve our problems by getting more – more money, more possessions, more comforts. But does getting more make us [...]
Taking shelter of lust amidst problems is like taking shelter of kidnappers when threatened by thieves
Suppose we are being chased by thieves. While fleeing from them, those who we take shelter of turn out to be kidnappers. The thieves would [...]
Why crave for any pleasure that makes us a slave?
If someone is enslaved, they would try to break free. If instead someone who is free tried to become enslaved, we would consider them insane. [...]
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 [...]