Are we seeking control or grace?
Suppose we are trapped in a chamber and are trying to push the locked door open. But suppose simultaneously, someone is trying to liberate us, [...]
Are you trying to be peaceful or purposeful?
We live in a world that often agitates us with many anxieties and perplexities. Naturally, therefore, we seek peace of mind. Significantly however, we need [...]
How to deal with the mind’s craziness
How to deal with the mind’s craziness Suppose we have been giving into an unhealthy craving of our mind for a long time. Then, the [...]
Two ways to deal with dissatisfaction
Two ways to deal with dissatisfaction When we see some things we don’t have — a bigger house, a faster car, a newer phone — [...]
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 [...]
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’ [...]
Meditation can shut things up and out — and can do more
Different people approach meditation for different purposes. Some people feel drained by the world's constant demands and turn toward meditation, hoping to shut things out [...]
Let go — the present is silently rich
We often find ourselves under constant pressure to do things: make calls, answer emails, finish chores. How can we relieve ourselves of that pressure? One [...]
Screen your inner screen
Our mind is like an inner screen. On it appear sensory stimuli from the outer world as well as recollections arising from past impressions in [...]
The more we watch the mind’s movie the more we make our life a horror movie
Suppose a friend takes us to a movie theater and then gets us so engrossed in watching the movie that we become oblivious to everything [...]
Even if we can’t flatten the pandemic curve we can flatten the panic curve
When the world is caught in a pandemic, the government may impose social distancing or even lockdown. We can and should do our part in [...]
Appreciating our spiritual identity can anchor us amid the turbulence of contemporary society
Appreciating our spiritual identity can anchor us amid the turbulence of contemporary society In today's world, people grow up bereft of many of the supports [...]
Transform depressing loneliness into nourishing solitude by seeking spiritual purpose
Transform depressing loneliness into nourishing solitude by seeking spiritual purpose When we are placed in situations that distance us from others, we may naturally feel [...]
Gita 5.22 explained
Now Sri Krishna will talk about on what basis a person will become bāhya-sparśeṣv asaktātmā. Why one should give up outer pleasures Sri Krishna says [...]
Gita 5.9 explained
BG 5.8 Bg 5.8-9 naiva kiñcit karomīti yukto manyeta tattva-vit paśyañ śṛṇvan spṛśañ jighrann aśnan gacchan svapañ śvasan pralapan visṛjan gṛhṇann unmiṣan nimiṣann api indriyāṇīndriyārtheṣu [...]
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 [...]
Gita 06.10 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 6.10-32: From practice to perfection in [...]
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, [...]
Raised fists or linked arms don’t transform as effectively as folded hands
Raised fists or linked arms don't transform as effectively as folded hands Suppose we see something terribly wrong in the world around us. It may [...]
Even if we can’t drive away inner impurities, we can still drive away from inner impurities
Suppose an obscene billboard comes up in our neighborhood. If we want our locality to be family-friendly, we will want that image removed. But if [...]
To be truly non-judgmental, stop being judgmental about those who are judgmental
If we are judgmental, we make snap judgments about people. We blame them for actions that were almost inevitable for them given their circumstances which [...]