How to go beyond denying and dreading death
We often live in denial of death. Of course, if asked directly, we will admit, “I will die one day.” But that admission rings with [...]
Why bad habits don’t go away easily
If we leave our house empty while we go elsewhere, some squatters may occupy it. When we return, they refuse to go or even let [...]
Meditation is not a rehearsal
[three_fourth_last]When we strive to meditate, we are urged to practice it, that is, do it repeatedly to get better at it. However, the word ‘practice’ [...]
Gita 17.20 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan So first Krishna talked about [...]
For protection amid pandemics seek not just a hand sanitizer but also a mind sanitizer
For protection amid pandemics seek not just a hand sanitizer but also a mind sanitizer During pandemics, we protect ourselves from germs using a hand [...]
Prayer is meant to act as a complement to prudent action not as a replacement
Prayer is meant to act as a complement to prudent action not as a replacement Some people think of prayer as a magic wand to [...]
Social isolation can be an opportunity to realize how we all are spiritually connected
Social isolation can be an opportunity to realize how we all are spiritually connected Suppose a pandemic compels us to adopt social distancing. Instead of [...]
Contextualizing absolute-sounding scriptural statements doesn’t minimize those statements; not contextualizing minimizes them
Contextualizing absolute-sounding scriptural statements doesn't minimize those statements; not contextualizing minimizes them How do we make sense of absolute-sounding statements in wisdom-texts such as the [...]
God can transform flashlights into floodlights just stay in his light
Suppose we are walking on a road and suddenly the power goes off. Though we might initially groan or rant, we will soon pull out [...]
The essence of karma is universal harmony not judgmental morality
Some people oppose the idea of karma: “It is just one among many differing systems of morality. These systems simply make those who follow it [...]
Use circumstantial suffering as an impetus to address existential plight
Suppose we are in an ocean. We might be floating on a raft that may be jeopardized by small waves. Or we might be on [...]
To help the distressed address both their distress’ immediate cause and remote cause
Suppose a doctor encounters a patient suffering from alcoholism and condemns that patient, “You are a wretched drinker; you deserve to suffer.” That would be [...]
When dealing with the distressed focus not on their karma; focus on your dharma
When dealing with the distressed focus not on their karma; focus on your dharma Suppose a newborn baby is crying. Should the mother neglect the [...]
Gita 02.01 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
BG CH2 (Introduction) -> Sankhya Yoga - Analysis of matter and spirit by differentiating Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur (BVT) gave the name : Content [...]
The more we are emotional the less emotions we have and the more our emotions have us
Emotions bring life to our life — if we had to live like emotionless robots, there wouldn’t be much to look forward to in our [...]
Equality that is imposed leads inevitably to inequality
We live in an egalitarian society, where inequality and discrimination are considered reproachable, even reprehensible. Significantly however, equality is not a materially self-evident fact. Whatever [...]
People may respond to us with indifference but that doesn’t mean we aren’t making a difference
When we do something good for someone but they don’t appreciate it, that can easily dishearten us. If we are health care professionals who provide [...]
We can’t always go outside but we can always go inside
The outer world is subject to uncontrollable change that can limit our physical freedom. If we can’t go outside, we might go stir-crazy, becoming bored, [...]
The value of our life doesn’t require anyone’s recognition not even our own
The value of our life doesn’t require anyone’s recognition not even our own Some countries have declared suicide to be a fundamental right. If people [...]
Purification means that sensual contemplation stops; determination means that we stop sensual contemplation
To grow spiritually and live meaningfully, we need to regulate sensual indulgence. For such regulation, we had best begin in the beginning: by minimizing our [...]
Gita 02.18 explained
BG 2.18 antavanta ime deha nityasyoktah saririnah anasino 'prameyasya tasmad yudhyasva bharata SYNONYMS anta-vantah -- perishable; ime -- all these; dehah -- material bodies; [...]