The bond that sets us free
Surrender. The idea often conjures images of a warrior accepting defeat and being bound by the enemy. When the Bhagavad-gita (18.66) asks us to surrender, [...]
Krishna wants our presence more than our presents
We may injure our relationships by an unwitting error: giving things more of our attention than the people for whom we are doing those things. [...]
Are riches cutting us off from the richness of life?
We all need money for living. But neither our culture externally nor our mind internally allows us to stay satisfied with earning for living. Both [...]
Parent the childish mind by being vigilant and diligent
When a mother cares for her child, she has to be vigilant and diligent: vigilant to constantly watch whether the child is doing anything mischievous [...]
Devotion is the switch that activates our dormant virtues
Just by turning on a small switch we can activate a big car. If a small manmade switch can have so much power, then how [...]
Fighting vices is like fighting weeds: we are always slightly behind
In gardening, each time we pluck weeds out, they grow again; in fighting them we are always slightly behind. The same applies to the garden [...]
To get devotion in our life, let’s put life in our devotion
Sometimes welament, “Though I am practicing devotional service, why don’t I feel any devotion in my heart?” Frequently, it’s because we are doing devotional activities [...]
Love of words in the words of love
The Bhagavad-gita is essentially Krishna’s words of love for all of us. From its setting, the Gita may appear to be words of counsel directed [...]
Be consciousness-conscious
If a red film is put on a flashlight, the light emerging from it changes from white to red and makes everything seem reddish. If [...]
Bind the blind mind
The greatest threat to our wellbeing is our blind mind. The mind is considered blind notbecause it can’t see anything but because it doesn’t see [...]
Renunciation is not deprivation but emancipation
The prospect of ‘renunciation’ may bring in us a cold, hard, almost scary feeling. We fear that we will have to give up something dear [...]
Differences that make a real difference – and differences that don’t
Suppose we desire a new cellphone. Being enamored by the various features of difference brands, we start worrying which to choose. Soon the worry consumes [...]
Standards are for inspiration not condemnation
“They are so degraded.” We may think or even speak like this about those who don’t follow scriptural standards of morality. Bysuch a judgmental attitude [...]
Our problems introduce us to ourselves
Problems. We often dread them. We feel that we already have enough of them. And yet life keeps piling more. In and of themselves, problems [...]
The mind is not just a liar but also a traitor
We all experience that the mind frequently incites us to do things that we regret later. To protect ourselves from such self-defeating actions, we can [...]
The sacrifice of life, the life of sacrifice
Those who become martyrs for a noble cause often awe others. For most people, nothing is as dear as life. So, martyrs inspire awe. We [...]
Be grateful for everything we can live without
We often approach Krishna for getting some things and feel grateful on getting them. This utilitarian and businesslike relationship with Krishna can’t truly satisfy us. [...]
The truth of beauty, the beauty of truth
Beauty attracts everyone. Poets sing about it; lovers bask in it; people dream about it. Many give up everything else for its sake. They see [...]
Is education changing the teacher within?
All of us have an inner teacher: our value system, our set of guiding principles that shape our decisions and determine our actions. For children, [...]
Are we mistaking solitary to be lonely?
Some people fear, “If I become too spiritual, I won’t be able to relate with most people for they are materially-minded. Won’t I end up [...]
Emptiness, Loneliness, Pointlessness
The religion of fanatical materialism is sweeping across the entire world. No doubt, materialism always had adherents throughout history. But what is alarming about modern [...]