Beyond stereotypes of a wrathful God
Some religious groups portray God as a mighty and scary entity who sits above the clouds and casts thunderbolts to punish sinners. According to them, [...]
Gita 18.64 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 18.64 sarva-guhyatamaṁ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu [...]
Are we included in Krishna’s circle of love?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s conclusion, Krishna reveals his love for Arjuna (18.64-66). Krishna’s declaration is astonishing, riveting, inspiring. Yet it may raise a question, “Is such [...]
Krishna’s most emphatic declaration of love in the Gita
Toward the Bhagavad-gita’s conclusion, Krishna opens his heart in a stirring declaration of love. 18.65 and 18.66 are often celebrated as moving outpourings of Krishna’s [...]
Does the Gita’s conclusion contain a self-contradiction? (Balancing independence and guidance series 5)
When nearing the end of the Bhagavad-gita (18.63), Krishna shows respect for Arjuna’s independence by stating: “Deliberate and do as you desire.” Yet he soon [...]
When we feel devotionally weak …
While practicing bhakti, suppose we feel attracted not to Krishna, but to the world’s allurements. Seeing our devotional weakness, we may lament: “I don’t love [...]
How can we reach others with our words?
When we speak with others, how can we make our speech persuasive? By appealing to both their head and their heart. Such effective communication is [...]
Regulate emotion with reason, animate reason with emotion
Reason and emotion are two of our fundamental human faculties. By reason, we can be orderly, logical, consistent. By emotion, we can be creative, intuitive, [...]
Following scripture centers not on legalistic conformity, but on loving reciprocity
When driving through unfamiliar territory, a map guides us. Similarly, during our life-journey, scripture is meant to be our map. But life is much more [...]
Exposition enters easiest through an envelope of emotion
The Bhagavad-gita is a treatise of profound philosophical wisdom. And it is also a message of undying spiritual love. Towards the Gita’s end, Krishna tells [...]
Outreach is not just about expression of the truth, but also about impression with the truth
The Bhagavad-gita features Krishna, the Absolute Truth, speaking the Absolute Truth. Krishna’s speaking the Gita could be said to be the paradigmatic outreach initiative. It [...]
Transformational teaching conveys not just intellectual meaning but also emotional meaning
The most effective teaching methods touch not just the head but also the heart. When a message is meaningful not just intellectually but also emotionally, [...]
When we discuss a subject close to our hearts, our hearts come close
Suppose we have to attend some talk on a subject that doesn’t interest us. And suppose even the speaker is apathetic and is delivering the [...]
The world of love manifests through the words of love
The world of love refers ultimately to the spiritual world, Krishna’s personal abode where there is endless love. There, Krishna exists eternally, the soul exists [...]
The heart of knowledge is the knowledge of the heart
Towards the end of the Bhagavad-gita (18.64), Krishna announces that he will share the most confidential knowledge (sarva guhyatama). Confidential knowledge (guhya) refers to the [...]
Loving unconditionally doesn’t mean being unconditionally liberal; it means being unconditionally available
Some people ask, “If God loves us, why is his love conditional? Why does he forbid us from doing many enjoyable things?” Krishna’s love is [...]
Love for Krishna is a love that doesn’t appoint to DIS-appoint
Whenever we love anyone, we hope fondly that the relationship will make us happy; we fix an appointment with fulfilment. Sadly however, worldly love promises [...]
The blend of encouragement and enlightenment brings empowerment
Life’s reversals can often be demoralizing. To regain our morale, we need both enlightenment (knowing what to do) and encouragement (feeling confident that we can [...]