If what we live with becomes what we live for, we end up having nothing to live for
While driving, we need two things: the fuel we drive with and the destination we drive for. If we don’t have any fuel, what we [...]
We need inner accounting before we can have inner accountability
Suppose a social welfare organization is short of money and asks us to become a regular patron. Naturally, we will want some accountability. But if [...]
The more our consciousness is crowded, the more our conscience becomes clouded
Suppose we are walking through a crowded place where people are pushing each other. In that crush, if a pickpocket reaches into our purse and [...]
More important than staying in touch with the world is staying in touch with ourselves
We often want to stay in touch with the world, ostensibly to be prepared in case something happens somewhere that is likely to impact us. [...]
The more we are aimless, the more we become shameless
Suppose a student is on vacation, with nothing specific to do. They may spend days on pointless net surfing without feeling bad that they are [...]
Equality that is imposed doesn’t raise everyone up, it brings everyone down
We live in an age where equality is celebrated. Any discrimination, based on race, gender, caste and so forth, is frowned upon, or even condemned. [...]
To live life fully, leave life regularly – take breaks before life breaks you
Suppose we use a machine continuously without turning it off. If it’s not given enough time off, it will deteriorate rapidly. Downtime is essential for [...]
Better to be crazy in being busy than to be just crazy, better still is to be busy without being crazy
We sometimes feel, “I am so busy that I am going crazy. I need to slow down.” Yes, slowing down can help, provided we use [...]
During our idle time, the mind works overtime
We often look forward to holidays when we can just relax, free from life’s daily grind. But unfortunately, during such breaks, small things get to [...]
Being conscious of the body is not bodily consciousness, being conscious only of the body is
Suppose a car driver is obsessed with their car. They drive around just to parade how attractive it is and to find some ways to [...]
Don’t just work on our conditionings – work with our conditionings
Suppose someone has a condition with no easy cure, such as blindness. Though they may keep trying to cure that condition, they will also work [...]
Possessing wealth is not the problem; being possessed by wealth is
Some people think that to be spiritual is to be anti-material, that they need to give up everything material for attaining the spiritual. However, the [...]
Seeking satisfaction through accumulation increases accumulation, not satisfaction
We all want to be happy. However, where we seek happiness determines whether we will become happy or not. Frequently, we look for happiness through [...]
The mind makes us juggle too many balls – and then makes us drop them all
Some circus artists juggle many balls, expertly catching them all before they fall. Still, even they have their limits – they can’t juggle too many [...]
To be purposeless is to be powerless
We need a strong sense of purpose to translate whatever talents we have into tangible achievements. However, even if we have a purpose and even [...]
Work not to run away from yourself – work to realize yourself
Work can be a responsible-seeming way to stay irresponsible. When we succumb to workaholism, work becomes our rationale for neglecting life’s other important aspects, such [...]
Spiritual progress is not all-or-nothing; material progress is all-for-nothing
All-or-nothing refers to situations where the winner gets everything and the loser, nothing. In a war, specifically the take-no-prisoners kind of confrontation that ends with [...]
Comfortable misery is still misery
We living in our AC homes and offices may pity people of the past who had to work outdoors, sweating profusely under the burning hot [...]
Doing things efficiently is good, but doing unnecessary things efficiently isn’t
Suppose we are traveling by a flight that allows us 50 pounds luggage. We meticulously organize the things that we need to carry, placing them [...]
Those who stay upset about what they don’t have waste what they do have
Suppose a person with artistic talent craves and slaves to become an engineer. But if they just don’t get mathematics or physics and somehow struggle [...]
The value of what we drive doesn’t matter as much as the values that drive us
We live in a materialistic culture that determines our stature by externals such as the cars we drive, the clothes we wear and the phones [...]