Watch yourself as if you are someone you don’t know – self-observation opens the door to self-transformation
Watch yourself as if you are someone you don't know – self-observation opens the door to self-transformation Suppose we want to develop a relationship with [...]
During our idle time the mind works overtime
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 [...]
The mind’s complaining about a problem is often a bigger problem than the problem itself
The mind’s complaining about a problem is often a bigger problem than the problem itself When the weather is bad, say, too cold, we all [...]
Use introspection as a confession by the self to the self
Use introspection as a confession by the self to the self Confession is a religious practice wherein confessants, people who have done something wrong, admit [...]
Focus on life not on the mind’s commentary about life
Focus on life not on the mind’s commentary about life Suppose a cricket match is accompanied by a special kind of commentary that is heard [...]
Respect the dark within you to keep it within you
Respect the dark within you to keep it within you Suppose we had a serious enemy out to destroy us. We couldn’t afford to take [...]
Even if we can’t control our emotions we can control the attention we give to our emotions
Even if we can’t control our emotions we can control the attention we give to our emotions Suppose some hawker comes near our property and [...]
The lesser the structure in our life the greater the rupture the mind can cause in our life
The lesser the structure in our life the greater the rupture the mind can cause in our life Our mind is restless (Bhagavad-gita 06.34) – [...]
To be thoughtful attribute every thought first to the mind
To be thoughtful attribute every thought first to the mind Our mind is like a thought-factory that churns out thoughts constantly. Most of these thoughts [...]
Intelligence means to know which thoughts are to be pinned and which to be binned
Intelligence means to know which thoughts are to be pinned and which to be binned Suppose we regularly use sticky notes. If too many notes [...]
The mind is restless, reasonless, ruthless, relentless
The mind is restless reasonless ruthless relentless Why is controlling the mind so difficult? The Bhagavad-gita (06.34) explains using four describers, which can be summarized [...]
When the mind takes charge the only thing that works is we: hard
When the mind takes charge the only thing that works is we: hard Suppose a competent leader takes charge of a project. They ensure that [...]
We don’t know the future but neither does our mind – its fears don’t forecast the future
We don’t know the future but neither does our mind - its fears don’t forecast the future Our mind often fills us with fears about [...]
The mind stops us not just from achieving our dreams, but also from pursuing them
The mind stops us not just from achieving our dreams but also from pursuing them People on the deathbed often have many regrets. The greatest [...]
When the mind believes something is enjoyable it stops evaluating whether it is actually enjoyable
When the mind believes something is enjoyable it stops evaluating whether it is actually enjoyable Our mind often works like a programmed device, giving particular [...]
Things fall in place if we keep the mind in place
Things fall in place if we keep the mind in place Suppose we come to our house and find everything out of place. We may [...]
Our thoughts are not always wise – we don’t have to follow their advice
Our thoughts are not always wise – we don’t have to follow their advice Suppose we have a chronic disease. Our acquaintances may recommend various [...]
The mind tends to do what we don’t intend to do
The mind tends to do what we don’t intend to do We may resolve to do some things, say regulate our eating or sleeping, but [...]
What we fear reflects what we hold dear
What we fear reflects what we hold dear When we feel fearful, our fear points to something we hold immensely dear, something whose possible loss [...]
To not feel bad on doing bad is bestially bad
To not feel bad on doing bad is bestially bad Suppose we accidentally step on someone’s foot. We would naturally apologize, ask if they are [...]
If we don’t ask “What am I doing?” we will end up asking “What have I done?”
If we don’t ask "What am I doing?" we will end up asking "What have I done?" While driving, if we don’t conscientiously keep the [...]