How can we improve our mental health? (Mental health series 5)
Let’s understand by considering how we improve our physical health: broadly by providing our body good nutrition and exercise, and protecting it from harmful substances [...]
Is poor mental health just a weakness of will? (Mental health series 4)
Suppose someone says they can’t do something challenging because they are not mentally healthy. Are they just weak-willed? To analyze, let’s consider a similar physical [...]
Why are mental health problems increasing? (Mental health series 3)
The alarming increase in mental health problems nowadays raises a critical question: “Beyond the specific issues afflicting particular people, are there overall societal factors that [...]
What is mental sickness? (Mental health series 2)
Mental sickness centers essentially on a significant misalignment between reality and our perception of reality. This understanding is echoed in common parlance – when someone [...]
What is mental health? (Mental health series 1)
On hearing about many people having mental health problems, we may wonder, “What exactly is mental health? How is it assessed?” To understand, let’s compare [...]
How to mentor the mind? (Managing the mind series 7)
Our mind is restless like a child (Bhagavad-gita 06.34). To help it outgrow its fickleness, we need to mentor it. Here are three ways to [...]
Why monitoring the mind is so important (Managing the mind series 6)
Suppose we are piloting a plane, taking it on an important mission. Suppose further we have been alerted that the plane’s navigation software is vulnerable [...]
Two principles for making our mind our friend (Managing the mind series 5)
Suppose we are named guardians of the son of some old friends who have suddenly passed away. Suppose further that we don’t know their son [...]
Developing a healthy relationship with our mind (Managing the mind series 4)
We don’t usually realize how much our mind controls us. Nonetheless, we do get some glimpses of its grip on us whenever we try to [...]
What’s wrong with treating the mind as an enemy (Managing the mind 3)
Suppose we live in a house whose accessway is controlled by a neighbor. Though they act friendly, they often covert trouble us, by obstructing, distracting, [...]
Are we the fisherman or the fish? (Managing the mind 2)
Suppose a fisherman casts a bait in a river to catch a fish. The fisherman stands to profit and the fish stands to lose its [...]
Watch your mental input (Managing the mind series 1)
Suppose we are going on tour, riding a strong swift horse. Suppose the horse catches sight of a juicy vegetable in a ditch on the [...]
Why anger should be used sparingly … (Anger management series 7)
A great power like nuclear power can be used for deterrence and defence, but it can also be used to cause catastrophic destruction. That’s why [...]
How to use anger without being used by anger (Anger management series 6)
Suppose someone we are responsible for does something self-destructive, even after we have repeatedly warned them against doing so. At such times, anger may be [...]
How to use anger constructively (Anger management series 5)
We are often exhorted to avoid anger as it can make us act in ways that make our life hellish (Bhagavad-gita 16.21). Yet spiritual wisdom [...]
Pointing the finger or pointing the way? (Anger management series 4)
When people point a finger, it is often to show others who is at fault. Sometimes, they may point a finger to show others the [...]
Choosing our battles in dealing with anger (Anger management 3)
Anger can make our life hellish (Bhagavad-gita 16.21). When dealing with anger, we often think in polar terms: we control it or we don’t. Instead [...]
Angry about being angry? (Anger management series 2)
We all have probably experienced that anger can make our life hellish, as warned by the Bhagavad-gita (16.21). We may have even resolved to never [...]
Why absence of anger may not be good … (Anger management series 1)
Anger can short-circuit our intelligence and impel us to do regrettable things. Pointing to the dangerousness of anger, the Bhagavad-gita mentions that anger can make [...]
How doubt can’t live without faith (Dealing with doubt 7)
Parasites can’t exist without the host organisms they prey on. Doubt is such a parasite that can’t live without faith. Consider, for example, doubts about [...]
Don’t let doubt stop our human search for understanding (Dealing with doubt 6)
We humans have an innate thirst for understanding. This thirst impels us to explore the world of matter through science and the world beyond matter [...]