Three kinds of misdeeds
When we commit a wrong, especially after resolving not to, we can become disturbed and discouraged. To atone for our errors and prevent their recurrence, [...]
Dealing with temptation — a positive approach
When dealing with temptation, we often focus on saying no to it; we may even define our self-worth by our success in resisting it. Thereafter, [...]
Why we fall to temptation — a deeper analysis
Suppose we resolve repeatedly to give up some temptation, but still succumb again and again. Becoming dejected, we may conclude, “This temptation is too strong; [...]
Avoid hell in the mind avoid hell in the world
Avoid hell in the mind avoid hell in the world - Some people think of hell as merely a belief of some religious groups. Others [...]
What’s wrong with unrestrained sexual activity?
What’s wrong with unrestrained sexual activity? - Today’s culture glamorizes lust as the source of immediate and immense pleasure. However, such glamorization impoverishes our existence, [...]
The power of negative imagination
The power of negative imagination - Biologically, we are wired more to fear pain than to savor pleasure. In most enjoyable situations, there’s a self-evident [...]
Use imagination to reinforce resolution
Use imagination to reinforce resolution - We sometimes resolve to not do something, yet end up doing that very thing. For example, we may resolve [...]
How desires differ from emotions — and why the difference matters
How desires differ from emotions — and why the difference matters - When we make resolutions for self-mastery, we are often thwarted by our emotions [...]
Purification means that sensual contemplation stops; determination means that we stop sensual contemplation
To grow spiritually and live meaningfully, we need to regulate sensual indulgence. For such regulation, we had best begin in the beginning: by minimizing our [...]
When the mind complains about the shortage of enjoyable sense objects contemplate the shortage of enjoyment in the supposedly enjoyable sense objects
Suppose we go to a hotel to eat a full meal and find that the delicacy we wanted is provided only in limited quantity. Our [...]
Don’t fight against your bad habits — cultivate good habits and let them fight against your bad habits
Don’t fight against your bad habits — cultivate good habits and let them fight against your bad habits When we have some bad habits, we [...]
Attachment makes us blind arrogance keeps us blind
Suppose someone allures an unsuspecting passerby into a dark alley and then attacks them so brutally as to blind them. That would be terrible. But [...]
Even if we can’t drive away inner impurities, we can still drive away from inner impurities
Suppose an obscene billboard comes up in our neighborhood. If we want our locality to be family-friendly, we will want that image removed. But if [...]
If we are defeated by temptation, it doesn’t mean we can’t win — it just means we can’t win alone
Suppose we resolve to reject a temptation, but fail, and fail repeatedly. We may become disheartened thinking, “I can never win against this temptation.” Our [...]
The mind makes the uncomfortable seem unbearable and then makes us do the unconscionable
The mind makes the uncomfortable seem unbearable and then makes us do the unconscionable Suppose someone lives in a place with uncomfortably hot weather. If [...]
Better to endure cravings that seem unbearable than to endure consequences that are unbearable
Suppose someone is trying to recover from alcoholism. They may still be subjected to strong cravings to drink. Suppose they feel that those cravings are [...]
Whatever we are surfing for, we are ultimately surfing for Krishna
Whatever we are surfing for we are ultimately surfing for Krishna Our mind is constantly surfing for something enjoyable. While surfing referred traditionally to a [...]
More dangerous than the enemies that threaten are the enemies that tempt
More dangerous than the enemies that threaten are the enemies that tempt Suppose we are fighting a war. We will be on guard against those [...]
Impurity needs to be feared before it can be found, found before it can be fought and fought before it can be finished
Impurity needs to be feared before it can be found found before it can be fought and fought before it can be finished Suppose a [...]
Even if we cover the tracks we make externally, the tracks we make internally still cover us
Even if we cover the tracks we make externally the tracks we make internally still cover us Suppose we wanted to hide what we are [...]
Those who underestimate their mind undermine their intelligence
Those who underestimate their mind undermine their intelligence Suppose a country has a hostile neighbor. If they underestimate their neighbor, they will not pay attention [...]