Relief and release – the two fruits of purification
Purification is an oft-heard word in spiritual circles. What does it mean? And what is its benefit? Purification essentially has two aspects: decrease of attraction [...]
Seek shelter to wear the armor, use the armor to feel the shelter
People often ask: “What is the use of remembering Krishna?” It acts as a shelter and as armor. As a shelter, it helps us rest [...]
Life is not a fixed match, but Krishna can help us fix it
In a fixed match, things are orchestrated to produce a predetermined result. Is life a fixed match? Is everything destined? No, indicates the Bhagavad-gita (18.63) [...]
The words will change us – provided we don’t change the words
When a doctor writes a prescription, those words are meant to change the patient by curing the disease. But if the patient changes the words [...]
Complement spirit with spirituality for complete success
“I will never give up; I will keep fighting till I succeed.” Those with such spirit who succeed against insurmountable odds often become heroes. Fierce [...]
Whatever karma may get us to, Krishna will get us through
Accidents, diseases, atrocities – when we see such tragedies befall people around us, we may become fearful: “What if something like that happens to me? [...]
Empower your thoughts to break free from their tired and tiring avenues
Life is never easy; every day brings new obstacles and some days bring major reversals. We don’t have the power to make life problem-free, but [...]
Krishna is not doing things to us; he is doing things for us
“Why is Krishna doing this to me?” We may get this question when we are faced with problems and have some nominal faith in Krishna [...]
Tune in to yourself to best tune in to the world
Some people can't live without continuous external stimulation. Every few minutes, they check their cellphones for the latest stock prices or the breaking news or [...]
If we can’t ban sin from the heart, we can still banish it
“How could I have even thought of such a thing?” We may react thus in dismay on catching ourselves entertaining grievously sinful desires. How can [...]
Discover The Right Way to Enjoy our Right to Enjoyment
We all feel that enjoyment is our right. And Gita wisdom declares that we are right. But it cautions us against assuming that this right [...]
Preoccupation with occupation is not devotion
Some people claim, “Work is worship. So says the Bhagavad-gita.” Does it? The Gita verse that directly links work with worship is 18.46: sva-karmana tam abhyarca. “By [...]
Fretting is like overcooking a rotten vegetable in our head
Suppose a chef who found that a recently purchased vegetable was rotten, and, annoyed at the prospect of wasted time and money, decided to set [...]
Those who respect the command of God command the respect of the world
A feature of Vedic culture that often perplexes, even provokes, observers is the immense respect it offers to brahmanas: “Why should someone be respected so [...]
Life in goodness is not life in slow motion
As we live in a fast-paced, passionate culture, life in the mode of goodness can seem unappealing: “If I have to always think things through [...]
Life determines our problems; we determine their size
We often feel irritated, overwhelmed, helpless when our dreams are wrecked by things beyond our control. But there is always something in our control. The [...]
Krishna offers us shelter, not a hiding place
“If I pray to Krishna, he will make all my problems disappear.” We may sometimes hope thus when we practice spiritual life. Of course, we [...]
The first purpose of life is to discover the purpose of life
Suppose we are given a car. Learning how to drive it, refuel it and care for it are important, but not as important as learning [...]
Send resentment to retirement
Few things can check and choke us as badly as resentment. When things go wrong, resentment builds up within us, seeking a target – outwards, [...]
Realization comes by riveting to the relationship, not the ritual
Reciting mantras, worshiping the Deity, fasting on holy days – many such rituals characterize spiritual life. As these rituals are visible and tangible, it is [...]
When Krishna doesn’t understand…
Sometimes we pray that something important work out right. But it doesn’t. This may make us feel, “Krishna just doesn’t understand me, my needs, my [...]