We are not programmed machines – we are the possessors of programmable machines
Atheists often argue that we are just our neurons – our behavior is simply a function of our neuronal programming, and our belief that we [...]
Don’t let the wealth without wipe out the wealth within
Our thoughts determine our inner wealth level. When materialism drives us, our thoughts obsess over outer things, gradually impelling us to indiscriminate actions. The Bhagavad-gita [...]
The capacity to choose is itself not freedom – the maturity to choose wisely is
Today’s ethos exalts freedom as the supreme virtue. Anything that infringes on freedom is labeled dictatorial and unacceptable. But consider addicts. They do have the [...]
Temporary relief from self-inflicted torture is not pleasure
Suppose a person who is dragged by a noose around the neck feels relieved when that dragging stops, and mistakes that relief to be pleasure. [...]
Anger-aggravating religion is the antithesis of religion
Some people perpetrate terrorism in the name of religion. Being angry with others about past wrongs – factual, exaggerated or imagined – they misappropriate religion [...]
Freedom is most endangered by the illusion of freedom
When people feel that their freedom is threatened, they often protest – and protest vehemently. But if they are led to believe that they are [...]
To reject reality because it is not found in the map is absurdity
Suppose a person uses a map to travel to a friend’s house. At each step during the journey, suppose the map guides them well, and [...]
Happiness comes not by collecting the material, but by recollecting the spiritual
We live in a materialistic culture that aggressively propagates the notion that we will become happy by gaining more and more material things. Being seduced [...]
To convert a prison into a kingdom is a fool’s errand
When criminals are sentenced to a jail, they may, especially if they are driven by megalomania, attempt to convert the jail into their kingdom, by [...]
Lifestyle is often more style than life
We live in a culture that hugely glamorizes lifestyle. Indeed, an entire gamut of products are called lifestyle products – things that are not necessities, [...]
Don’t lose the purpose of living for the sake of living
The purpose of living refers to the thing that brings meaning and fulfillment to our life. Living refers to the process of earning a livelihood. [...]
Our ability to tap our ability is enhanced by our spirituality
People sometimes ask, “How can spirituality benefit me practically? Can it help me improve my performance?” Yes, spirituality enhances our ability to tap our ability. [...]
We need to evolve if we are not to dissolve
The news periodically features scenarios of imminent environmental super-disasters. While some such prophecies may well be exaggerated, there’s little doubt that the environment is on [...]
Belief founded in the illusion of all belief is an illusion
Many atheists try to thrust their belief system on people by misappropriating the prestige of science. For example, they hold that in the past when [...]
Anxiety is caused not as much by outer uncertainty as by inner instability
Sociological researchers have consistently found that people in the developed world tend to be more anxious than people in the developing world. This finding is [...]
The ego shifts our focus in “I am so fallen” from “fallen” to “I”
Usually, the ego afflicts us with megalomania, making us believe that we are far greater than what we actually are. But when we understand the [...]
The better way to feel better about ourselves is by appreciation, not denigration
We naturally want to feel better about ourselves. Sometimes we try to feel thus by criticizing others. By pointing others’ faults, we think that the [...]
Courage centers not on standing up to others but on staying true to your self
When a principled person stands up to a powerful person, especially when that powerful person is autocratic or atrocious, then that act of standing up [...]
The more we crave, the more make ourselves a slave
We live in an age that cherishes freedom and abhors slavery. If anywhere we hear of anyone being enslaved, we often feel dismayed, if not [...]
Growth for growth’s sake is cancerous
The idea of growth usually evokes positive images, yet when growth is disproportionate, it can be destructive. This is perhaps best illustrated in the growth [...]
Gita 16.20 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Now Krishna goes on further [...]