How to go beyond denying and dreading death
We often live in denial of death. Of course, if asked directly, we will admit, “I will die one day.” But that admission rings with [...]
Why bad habits don’t go away easily
If we leave our house empty while we go elsewhere, some squatters may occupy it. When we return, they refuse to go or even let [...]
Meditation is not a rehearsal
[three_fourth_last]When we strive to meditate, we are urged to practice it, that is, do it repeatedly to get better at it. However, the word ‘practice’ [...]
Meditation can shut things up and out — and can do more
Different people approach meditation for different purposes. Some people feel drained by the world's constant demands and turn toward meditation, hoping to shut things out [...]
From mean actions to the meaning of actions
From mean actions to the meaning of actions We sometimes succumb to unhealthy behaviors such as overeating, excessive net surfing or even much more injurious [...]
Let go — the present is silently rich
We often find ourselves under constant pressure to do things: make calls, answer emails, finish chores. How can we relieve ourselves of that pressure? One [...]
Three meanings of spring as applied to bhakti
Bhakti is a spring: Just as an object kept on a coil is sprung by the energy of that coil, we too are sprung by [...]
Intelligence vs intellect
Intelligence vs intellect Intelligence and intellect are sometimes considered synonyms. However, they differ significantly. Before going into their specific meanings, let’s consider the underlying concepts. [...]
Gita 16.23 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 16.23 yaḥ śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya [...]
Contemplating death — life-denying or life-affirming?
We, as a society, live largely in denial of death. Those who contemplate death are often deemed life-denying and hope-sapping pessimists. In marked contrast, the [...]
Gita 16.22 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 16.22 etair vimuktaḥ kaunteya [...]
If your mind says you are a quitter …
We all start more things than we complete. When something becomes too demanding or boring or unproductive, or when it seems to require more self-mastery [...]
Why some fears are healthy …
We are often constrained and sometimes crippled by our fears. Consequently, we may think of fear as something undesirable. While some fears can certainly be [...]
Screen your inner screen
Our mind is like an inner screen. On it appear sensory stimuli from the outer world as well as recollections arising from past impressions in [...]
Gita 16.18 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 16.18 ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ [...]
Humility empowers when certainty doesn’t
We live in an uncertain world where perplexities and adversities can befall us at any moment. Naturally, we seek certainty, sometimes by turning to God [...]
Gita 16.17 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 16.17 ātma-sambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhana-māna-madānvitāḥ [...]
Conflict resolution – Right or Rightly Directed?
When we disagree with someone, we often seek to prove not just that we are right, but also that they are wrong. Actually however, their [...]
Some people use yoga to stretch their bodies; others to stretch the truth
Some people use yoga to stretch their bodies; others to stretch the truth Yoga has become immensely popular in today's world. Millions practice yoga as [...]
We may be scarred but we don’t have to be scared
Suppose someone has had an accident while taking a sharp turn on a hilly road. Though they survive that accident, they get scarred — not [...]
Things that are worth doing are worth doing well — and worth doing badly too
“If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” This saying is helpful if it inspires us to be wholehearted in doing whatever [...]