Don’t be annoyed that people are so bad, be amazed that they aren’t worse
Don’t be annoyed that people are so bad be amazed that they aren’t worse People can annoy us in innumerable ways – they can be [...]
Opening the mouth without opening the mind helps neither the mouth nor the mind
Opening the mouth without opening the mind helps neither the mouth nor the mind We all have had to sometimes bite our words. On seeing [...]
When we are attached to someone we don’t care much for them; we care much more for what they think about us
When we are attached to someone we don’t care much for them; we care much more for what they think about us Suppose a doctor [...]
We may have to fight against others but we don’t have to be against others
We may have to fight against others but we don’t have to be against others When we strive to lead a principle-centered life, those who [...]
Don’t try to be someone better try to be an example of something better
Don’t try to be someone better try to be an example of something better When we strive to lead a principle-centered life by adopting spiritual [...]
Don’t reduce people to their group identity – differences within groups often exceed differences across groups
We often have certain preconceptions about certain groups of people. Driven by such preconceptions, when we come to know a person’s group identity, we presume [...]
Between naiveté and cynicism is the courage to trust
Between naiveté and cynicism is the courage to trust When we are inexperienced, we may naïvely believe that everyone is entirely trustworthy. Exploiting our naiveté, [...]
Never make irreversible decisions based on reversible emotions
Never make irreversible decisions based on reversible emotions Our emotions can easily mislead us. When we become strongly emotional, we tend to make snap decisions. [...]
To resolve conflicts, begin with the 1% commonality, not the 99% differences
To resolve conflicts begin with the 1% commonality not the 99% differences Whenever we have a conflict with someone, our attention naturally goes to the [...]
Those who are not humble often help us to become humble
Those who are not humble often help us to become humble Dealing with arrogant people can be annoying and draining. To view such people positively, [...]
The desire that the dark be darker defines a dark mind
The desire that the dark be darker defines a dark mind Suppose we know that someone is short-tempered. Suppose further we hear through the grapevine [...]
Make judgments but don’t be judgmental
Make judgments but don’t be judgmental When doing anything responsible, we need to make judgments: we need to evaluate who is suitable for doing what [...]
Comparing is unavoidable but comparing mentality is undesirable
Comparing is unavoidable but comparing mentality is undesirable In our competitive world, comparing is almost universal. In schools with any kind of assessment, who gets [...]
Detachment is absence of emotional dependence not absence of emotion
Detachment is absence of emotional dependence not absence of emotion Some people fear, “If I become detached, will I become emotionless, uncaring, stone-hearted?” No, detachment [...]
Focus on the cause that brings us together not on the conditions and conditionings that push us apart
Focus on the cause that brings us together not on the conditions and conditionings that push us apart We all are irreducibly individual. Naturally, we [...]
Be mindful of people’s perceptions but don’t make your mind full of their perceptions
Be mindful of people's perceptions but don't make your mind full of their perceptions When we practice spiritual life, we go against the overall materialistic [...]
Thinking about worldly things is not attachment being unable to stop thinking of them is
Thinking about worldly things is not attachment being unable to stop thinking of them is Attachment is a state of mental bondage wherein our thoughts [...]
Don’t pack what is back – the past – in your backpack
Don’t pack what is back – the past – in your backpack Suppose we are going trekking with just a backpack. We will carefully decide [...]
The essence of education is enlightenment engagement and encouragement
The essence of education is enlightenment engagement and encouragement If we wish to educate others about something – especially something that requires moral strength, discipline, [...]
Whose words we hear matters but whose words we hold dear matters even more
Whose words we hear matters but whose words we hold dear matters even more Suppose we are lost while driving and ask for directions. If [...]
To speak effectively, speak not just correctly, but also appropriately
To speak effectively speak not just correctly but also appropriately When a doctor prescribes a medicine to a patient, they consider not just the patient’s [...]