The less we identify with our thoughts the less we act thoughtlessly
Whenever we do something regrettable, we wonder, “Why did I act so thoughtlessly?” First, we are never literally thoughtless, for we are never without thoughts. [...]
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 [...]
Manifesting our individuality should fill our heart not empty our pocket
“Be yourself.” This is an oft-repeated mantra nowadays. While the call to be true to oneself is enriching, the path to self-expression, as charted by [...]
Just because it’s not up to you doesn’t mean that you are not up to it
Just because it's not up to you doesn't mean that you are not up to it When we are asked to do something challenging, especially [...]
Destiny may determine the complexion of our face but we determine the expression on our face
Destiny may determine the complexion of our face but we determine the expression on our face “Is everything destined?” We may ask when factors beyond [...]
Contemplation is the foundation of action; without contemplation, what we do is not action but reaction
Some people view contemplation and action as opposites: “If we are contemplative, we can’t be active.” To substantiate their view, they point to the classification [...]
The mind is not afraid to interrupt us don’t be afraid to interrupt it
Suppose we are working in a team with someone who keeps interrupting us. And what they suggest is mostly distracting at best and disastrous at [...]
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 [...]
The mind is a persecutor who pretends to be the persecuted
Few things stimulate human sympathy as much as the sight of someone being persecuted. We naturally want to do what we can to stop the [...]
The best way to watch the mind is by having something better to watch
The best way to watch the mind is by having something better to watch Our mind often acts as an enemy. That’s why we all [...]
If we get into the mind’s discourse, we go down a disastrous course
If we get into the mind’s discourse we go down a disastrous course Suppose someone gave a talk that is captivatingly delivered but is filled [...]
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 [...]
The essence of discipline is to make our intelligence faster than our mind
The essence of discipline is to make our intelligence faster than our mind Suppose we tend to waste too much time on Facebook. We can [...]
The size of our problems is inversely proportional to the size of our purpose
The size of our problems is inversely proportional to the size of our purpose Suppose a truck is moving rapidly on a road on which [...]
To understand what is wrong in the world, look first in the mirror, not the newspaper
To understand what is wrong in the world look first in the mirror not the newspaper When we hear about the many things wrong in [...]
If we eat waste, it shows in our waist
If we eat waste it shows in our waist Whenever we eat a lot, we may enjoy it initially. But we will suffer eventually. Especially [...]
We have snakes inside us, but we are not one of them
We have snakes inside us but we are not one of them Suppose someone we thought we knew suddenly does something terrible and hurtful. We [...]
What we achieve depends on not just how we strive but also on what we believe
What we achieve depends on not just how we strive but also on what we believe Some people think, “If you just work hard, you [...]
Attachment makes us psychologically rigid, detachment makes us psychologically flexible
Attachment makes us psychologically rigid detachment makes us psychologically flexible A tree that is stiff breaks when battered by strong storms, but a flexible tree [...]
We can’t change our past, but we can change how we see and explain our past
We can't change our past but we can change how we see and explain our past We often have things in our past that we [...]
A rigid structure may not work for us, but without a structure, we may not work
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 [...]