How to make our approach to meditation more positive
To approach meditation more positively, focus not on the effort of paying attention, focus on the opportunity to get an enriching experience. Many of us [...]
How to pass life’s tests
If we don't protest against the mind's pretexts, we will never pass life's tests. When faced with life's difficulties, especially those requiring us to persevere [...]
Self-improvement: The PIE we can’t have and the PIE we can have
Self-improvement: The PIE we can’t have and the PIE we can have Self-improvement is one of life’s most challenging endeavors—not only because changing ourselves is [...]
How to change when we don’t feel ready to change?
Even if we don't feel ready to change, we can change to feel ready. Start from wherever we are, not where we think we need [...]
When our mind doesn’t care for the things that matter to us
When our mind doesn’t care for the things that matter to us, we don’t have to stop caring for those things. We can choose to [...]
Feeling better or healing better?
Feeling better or healing better? When we are trying to grow spiritually, it’s important to be clear about the parameters for growth. Frequently, we understandably [...]
Going beyond spiritual dumbness & numbness
Overcoming our numbness and dumbness toward spiritual things, including ultimately God, involves addressing two ways in which we become spiritually deadened. As indicated in the [...]
The most productive work
The most productive hard work is heart work. People who are successful often extol the glories of hard work. And yes, hard work is needed [...]
The greatest obstacle to happiness
Attachment to happiness is often the greatest obstacle to happiness. To be happy, be ready to be unhappy. We all long for happiness, but often [...]
Things work together for good
Things work together for good, even if those things individually don't feel good. When an expert cook is cooking some delicacy, often they may start [...]
Awesome or Wholesome?
Not everything wholesome is awesome, and not everything awesome is wholesome. We are often attracted to things that feel good, even if they're not actually [...]
When our mind doesn’t cooperate what can we do?
Suppose we are working on an important project, and we have a clear vision of how that project will be executed most efficiently and effectively. [...]
Gita 18.37 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 18.37 yat tad agre [...]
When the light seems too bright …
Suppose someone is trapped in a dark maze-like dungeon. After wandering for a long time, they finally find an opening. But as they near the [...]
How to face overwhelming problems
When we face a huge problem, we may feel overwhelmed: “How can I ever tackle this?” What makes a problem seem overwhelming? Frequently, our perception [...]
Aiming to be trouble-free? Think again
We don’t like trouble. To try to avoid problems reflects not only a sound survival instinct, but also an alert intelligence. For example, if we [...]
How to boost our self-esteem
Suppose a person is suffering from a disease and is feeling gloomy. Suppose they assure themselves, “I am alright.” Such words may trigger some positive [...]
When devotion doesn’t feel good …
When devotion doesn’t feel good - Suppose a disease weakens us and kills our appetite. If we are provided a healing and energizing medicine, we [...]
Beyond mindfulness to purposefulness
Beyond mindfulness to purposefulness - Suppose we are working in customer support and a disgruntled customer is speaking with us rudely, even obnoxiously. Still, we [...]
When morality feels like a burden …
When morality feels like a burden - When we try to follow moral standards to live purely, we sometimes feel harassed by temptations that keep [...]
The way to a better future
The way to a better future - The future can be better than the present and we can play a part in bringing about that [...]