We need the eyes to see what our eyes need to see
When we are sick and in pain, a doctor may immediately see some symptoms that indicate the presence of disease. If during the course of [...]
The more things spin out of control, the more we need to get our thoughts in control
When a fire breaks out in a crowded place, casualties are caused not so much by the fire itself as by the stampede when panicky [...]
The world is not the benchmark of reality – Krishna is
When we want to evaluate things, especially things that seem unbelievable, we often ask: “Is this for real?” For discerning what is real, we need [...]
Thwart the desires that titillate initially but torment eventually
When worldly desires tempt us, they promise us a lot of pleasure. And contemplating attractive worldly objects does titillate. However, no matter how intoxicating this [...]
The mind issues checks that the body can’t cash
Suppose someone gives us a check that bounces. If that person issues checks again, we wouldn’t accept. Similarly, our mind often issues checks, but the [...]
The best way to control our thoughts is to direct them towards the one who is always in control
If we are say attacked by thieves, we may try to fight off them ourselves, but if we can quickly call the police and the [...]
The ego can misappropriate everything, even humility
The Bhagavad-gita (13.08) lists humility as the first among twenty items of knowledge. The opposite of humility, ego, is extremely dangerous because not only does [...]
Our journey needs to begin where we are, not where we ought to be
Suppose while driving to a destination, we take some wrong turns and end up far away from our goal. We may feel irritated, and understandably [...]
Small victories are not big victories, but they are stepping stones to big victories
When we fight against our lower desires, we sometimes succeed. But our mind frequently undermines our success: “What’s the big deal? You resisted temptation today, [...]
Gita 07.15 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Now the question will come up [...]
Our inner vulnerability increases our outer vulnerability
Suppose an army guarding a fort has some potential turncoats who may covertly open the fort gates for aggressors. The army’s inner vulnerability – the [...]
Krishna is not an optional source of entertainment – he is the indispensable source of shelter
Many people like to hear Krishna’s pastimes as a pious form of entertainment. Even if they know vaguely that he is God, their interest in [...]
In a war, to be casual is to be suicidal
In a war, fighters need to be alert and equipped, for one false move can spell disaster. Those who are casual on a battlefield are [...]
Desire for the Lord buffers us from desires for the world
When a boat is in the ocean, it can be buffeted by waves. The world we live in is often compared to an ocean. Herein, [...]
Spiritualizing our relationships means decreasing our expectations and increasing our contributions
In every relationship, each party expects something and contributes something. When expectations exceed contributions, the relationship becomes strained. When we become spiritual and connect with [...]
To check the outflow of self-defeating actions, check the inflow of self-deluding perceptions
We sometimes indulge in self-defeating actions, even after resolving to give them up. Why do we succumb thus? Frequently, it’s because we uncritically take in [...]
Gita 01.06 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan das Bg 1.6 yudhāmanyuś ca vikrānta uttamaujāś ca vīryavān saubhadro draupadeyāś ca sarva eva mahā-rathāḥ [...]
“God did it” is not necessarily a curiosity-stopper; it can be a curiosity-stimulator
Atheists sometimes argue, “Theists say that everything in nature is done by God. Accepting this explanation kills the curiosity that fuels scientific progress. For example, [...]
Change is easier when we focus on starting something positive, not on stopping something negative
We often become discouraged when we resolve to give up something negative but fail. However, we need to be prepared for such failure, knowing that [...]
As long as staying where we are remains bearable, we rarely move forward
Our mind usually chooses the path of least resistance. Even if we know something that we need to change, we often put it off, deeming [...]
Our conscience is like an automatically customizing security device – customize it intelligently
Some home security systems can be customized to allow entry to some people and to bar others. Suppose this customization is done wrong, granting entry [...]