The Only Time I Failed an Exam
“I just can't believe that I failed.” A distraught student at the University of Toronto said this to me after my talk there on September [...]
When Convenience Becomes Dependence
“Your flight has already departed.” The Air Canada staff member at the Frankfurt Airport transfer counter told me this in a flat, nonchalant voice. I [...]
When Does Love Become Toxic?
Love naturally makes us protective. But when one relationship becomes so important that every other relationship becomes expendable, love can become destructive. Dhritarashtra’s love for [...]
Should We Look Before We Leap, or Just Do It?
“Look before you leap” and “Just do it” seem to offer opposite advice. Yet both can be wise because they address opposite weaknesses. Some of [...]
Why Krishna Did Not Use Hate Speech
In today’s world, violence and war rightfully alarm people, and violence in the name of religion is particularly troubling. Because the Bhagavad Gita is spoken [...]
Leadership Insight: When to Translate Power into Control?
Suppose a child throws a tantrum in a public place, demanding a toy. The parent obviously has far greater power than the child. Yet does [...]
Question: If the Bhagavad-gita recommends action rather than renunciation, why do devotees in ISKCON become brahmacharis rather than act in the world as grihasthas?
Answer: There are three distinct considerations here. First is the context of the teaching of the Gita. Second is the broader Indian tradition. And third [...]
The Bhagavad Gita on Overthinking
Bhagavad-gita 18.35 describes determination in the mode of ignorance through five mental habits that together provide a remarkably comprehensive picture of how thinking goes wrong [...]
Public Trust in Times of Protest: Why the Government Needs CIT
The images of protesting students being lathi-charged by the police are disturbing and distressing. Emotions are understandably running high. Rather than joining those on the [...]
How Gita wisdom helped me transcend polio
Recently, during my travels to America, a devotee-doctor in Washington, D.C., suggested that I consult a polio specialist to evaluate the long-term effects I might [...]
What AI Can’t Take Away
Does work have an irreplaceable worth that we might unnecessarily give away because of AI alarmism? "I just lost my job because of AI." A [...]
From “Thank God” to “Thank You, God”
During one of my flights on my last tour of Australia, I found myself in the middle seat. As the departure time drew near, neither [...]
Dealing with problem people according to our position and disposition
Sometimes, we face situations where serious problems are caused by specific individuals around us. This could be an exploitative boss, a manipulative colleague, or an [...]
Focus not on the size of our faith, focus on the size of our Lord
When we strive to grow spiritually, we may worry that our faith is insufficient. Faith is undeniably important in our spiritual journey, but it is [...]
How faith centres on accepting responsibilities, not on expecting results
Faith in God's Protection Faith in God's protection inspires us to accept responsibility for serving Him without becoming excessively attached to expectations about the outcomes. [...]
Loss, guilt, and despair: the trio of emotions that can make our inner world toxic
Life often thrusts upon us difficult, dangerous, or distressing situations that can trigger negative emotions. While most such emotions decline and depart with time as [...]
Finding our voice shouldn’t become an excuse for funding our vice.
The call for individuality We live in a culture where the call to be an individual is not just encouraged but championed and glamorized. However, [...]
Lead me out of my ego’s web by your love’s WEB: wisdom, expertise, benevolence
Bhagavad Gita 18.58 mac-cittaḥ sarva-durgāṇi mat-prasādāt tariṣyasi atha cet tvam ahaṅkārān na śroṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi "Focus on me, and all duality you will transcend, By [...]
Let the realization of your position transform my conviction and aspiration
Bhagavad Gita 18.78 yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama Where Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of mystic perfection, [...]
You alone fulfill my heart’s hopes for healing and homecoming
Bhagavad Gita 18.66 sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ Give up all confusion about what is to be [...]
Let your love for those who share your message of love inspire my love for you
Bhagavad Gita 18.69 na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ bhavitā na ca me tasmād anyaḥ priyataro bhuvi Among all humans, there is none [...]