Illusion drives us compulsively; Krishna draws us compassionately
We all like to be free – we resent it when we are forced to do something. In fact, many people often hesitate to practice [...]
We all like to be free – we resent it when we are forced to do something. In fact, many people often hesitate to practice [...]
Some people ask, “The Bhagavad-gita wants us to stay unaffected amidst pleasure-pain, success-failure, honor-dishonor. Won’t that make for emotionless living?” No, because the Gita’s prescription [...]
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 [...]
Imagine a computer used by a child primarily for playing games. From the moment it is turned on, it repeatedly gives prompts for playing. Such [...]
Whenever our surroundings go dark, say, due to a power failure, we become as if blind. Something similar happens to us as souls in material [...]
The Bhagavad-gita is a profoundly philosophical book, yet it is also an eminently action-calling book. This pragmatic nature of the Gita is seen in its [...]
“How can one act without being bound?” This is Arjuna’s essential question at the start of the Bhagavad-gita. And the whole Gita addresses it at [...]
Seekers often ask, “Meditation is supposed to be rejuvenating, but I sometimes find it boring, even tiring. Why is that?” Because our misdirected mind distracts [...]
Some religious groups force others to convert to their faith, “Convert or die.” But faith is a choice of the heart that can’t be forced. [...]
Racial, religious and other forms of sectarian violence rend the world today. Such violence may have complex social, economic, cultural and political causes, but underlying [...]
Blame game usually involves pointing the blaming finger outwards to others whenever things go wrong. The blaming finger can also point upwards or inwards. When [...]
Many people treat games as if they are as important as life itself. Human culture has always featured sports as a form of recreation, but [...]
Euphemisms often help express distressing truths sensitively. But sometimes they are abused as tools of deception, as verbal sleights-of-hand to make evil sound good. Consider, [...]
“How can we best deal with our disagreers?” The Bhagavad-gita (18.03) offers a healthy model. Here Krishna states the position of those who recommend renunciation [...]
‘Knowledge in ignorance’ is an oxymoron, the placing of contradictory words next to each other to convey a deeper meaning. To understand this oxymoron, let’s [...]
“Learn from life” is a popular and valuable saying. We all can learn by thoughtfully observing our own life, the lives of those around us, [...]
Some people ask, “Surrender to Krishna requires abandoning our desires and abiding by his will. Isn’t that frustrating?” No, it isn’t frustrating if we just [...]
“Do we have the power to choose our actions or are they determined by factors beyond us?” This question confronts thinking humans, whatever their beliefs. [...]
When two parties quarrel bitterly, other people can frequently see that the differences are not all that big and that the issues are resolvable. But [...]
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 [...]
The notion of surrendering to someone often jars us because we mentally associate it with giving up. Consequently, when the Bhagavad-gita (18.66) concludes with a [...]