A rigid structure may not work for us, but without a structure, we may not work
We all have various structures that bring order to our daily life. Such structures include rules, customs, routines, schedules and obligations. We may sometimes find [...]
If we are tormented by strong conscience and weak willpower, the solution is strengthening willpower, not weakening conscience
We all face situations in our life wherein we feel impelled to do things that go against our values and principles. At such times, we [...]
Seeking to understand our nature won’t box us in, it will reveal the box we are already in
Some people resist any system of categorization of human nature. They feel, “This will box me in.” While their concern is understandable, it is based [...]
To be responsible means to stop blaming the outer trigger for the inner trouble
Suppose we feel tempted by someone who wears revealing clothes. Or we feel irritated by someone who behaves in an annoying way. We may blame [...]
Ask not why bad things happen to good people, ask what good people do when bad things happen to them
One of the oldest philosophical questions is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Gita wisdom answers by introducing the principle of karma, which [...]
For inner change, momentum matters more than movement
Suppose we strive to improve ourselves in some area, but fail repeatedly. We may feel disheartened, “There are so many things wrong with me. Even [...]
Seek God’s help for doing his will, or you will need his help to get out of the trouble you get into because of not doing his will
Suppose a mildly sick patient has to take a bitter medicine. If they reject that medicine, their sickness will worsen. When they become unbearably sick, [...]
Our future is shaped not so much by how many options we have as by how well we choose among the options we do have
We are sometimes constrained by our situations, wherein they leave us with very few options to choose from, be they financial, relational, professional, educational or [...]
No one has a right to mistreat you, not even you
Suppose someone repeatedly derided us. We would be incensed: “You have no right to mistreat me like this.” Yet we let ourselves be mistreated like [...]
On some days, in some ways, we all can make a difference – provided we try
During our lives, we sometimes wonder, “Whatever I do, does it count? Does even my existence count?” Especially when we try to do something good [...]
Inability to face life’s challenges may diminish us, but unwillingness to face life’s challenges will demolish us
We all face challenges in life. And some challenges are such that we are unequipped or underequipped to face them. At such times, we may [...]
Even if we can’t change what we live with, we can change what we live for
Suppose we are stuck with a slow, noisy, messy car in a congested and polluted place. If we can’t change our place or our car, [...]
Meditation is not the antithesis of action, it is the basis of action
Some people consider meditation to be a scandalous waste of time. They question dedicated meditators: “How can you waste so much time doing nothing? If [...]
When we limit our challenges, we can challenge our limits
Suppose an army is fighting a multifront war against a formidable enemy. For the army to succeed or even survive, it needs to limit the [...]
Addiction is an abductor who extorts ever-increasing ransom but never releases
Suppose an abductor abducts a child and demands a huge ransom from the parents. Even after receiving the ransom, however, they don’t release the child, [...]
Use cleverness to counter corruptness, not cover corruptness
We all have a certain amount of cleverness and a certain amount of corruptness. Our cleverness enables us to go beyond the appearance of things [...]
Virtue that is more talked than walked is not necessarily infertile, it may just be infantile
Suppose someone speaks big things, but doesn’t live accordingly. We may dismiss their talk as big bluster: “What they speak is infertile – nothing comes [...]
To take sole credit for our abilities is to put too much burden on ourselves
Amid life’s inevitable struggles, we all seek some abilities that help us thrive or at least survive. When we discover some such abilities, we naturally [...]
When nothing feels filthy, everything may be tidy – or everything may be filthy
Suppose we enter a tidy room. If we cast one thing around carelessly, it stands out as an eyesore. But if the whole room is [...]
Our deepest desires should direct us from within, not disappear within
Suppose we have something precious that we are afraid of losing. We may keep it carefully, deep inside a secret safe. However, if we don’t [...]
See memory not as an exhaustive guide to the past, but as a constructive guide from the past to the future
We usually think of memory as a tool to remember the past. Actually however, the past is too vast to be remembered entirely or accurately. [...]