Let our activism be transformative, not performative
Performative activism refers to the phenomenon where a person takes up a noble cause not to genuinely make a difference, but to gain recognition and [...]
Practice devotion for absorption, not achievement
Devotion is meant to be practiced in the mode of absorption, not in the mode of achievement. We live in a society that celebrates achievements [...]
You are always within me, and I am always within you (6.29)
Bhagavad Gita 6.29 sarva-bhūta-stham ātmānaṁ sarva-bhūtāni cātmani īkṣate yoga-yuktātmā sarvatra sama-darśanaḥ "The yogi sees the Supersoul residing in all, And in the Supersoul, residing [...]
Let every spiritual experience prompt me towards you (6.28)
Bhagavad Gita 6.28 yuñjann evaṁ sadātmānaṁ yogī vigata-kalmaṣaḥ sukhena brahma-saṁsparśam atyantaṁ sukham aśnute "With steady practice, pure and bright, The yogi basks in Brahman’s [...]
Let me parent my mind resourcefully, not ruleslessly (6.26)
Bhagavad Gita 6.26 yato yato niścarati manaś cañcalam asthiram tatas tato niyamyaitad ātmany eva vaśaṁ nayet "Wherever the fickle mind may roam, Wandering far [...]
Let me appreciate O Lord, the power of small steps (6.25)
Bhagavad Gita 6.25 śanaiḥ śanair uparamed buddhyā dhṛti-gṛhītayā ātma-saṁsthaṁ manaḥ kṛtvā na kiñcid api cintayet "Step by step, let the mind retreat, Held by [...]
Disconnect me O Lord, from my connection with distress (6.23)
Bhagavad Gita 6.23 taṁ vidyād duḥkha-saṁyoga- viyogaṁ yoga-saṁjñitam "Know this to be yoga, the divine connection, From all sorrow, it grants full disconnection." [...]
Let me seek the state beyond insufficiency and insecurity (6.22)
Bhagavad Gita 6.22 yaṁ labdhvā cāparaṁ lābhaṁ manyate nādhikaṁ tataḥ yasmin sthito na duḥkhena guruṇāpi vicālyate "Having relished this, there is no greater gain [...]
Grant me the courage to seek experiences beyond the sensual (6.21)
Bhagavad Gita 6.21 sukham ātyantikaṁ yat tad buddhi-grāhyam atīndriyam vetti yatra na caivāyaṁ sthitaś calati tattvataḥ "This is the supreme bliss of transcendence, Beyond [...]
When will my mind become a mirror that shows the self? (6.20)
Bhagavad Gita 6.20 yatroparamate cittaṁ niruddhaṁ yoga-sevayā yatra caivātmanātmānaṁ paśyann ātmani tuṣyati "When the mind is stilled through yogic grace, Withdrawn from all in [...]
Help me to protect and power my desire for you (6.19)
Bhagavad Gita 6.19 yathā dīpo nivātastho neṅgate sopamā smṛtā yogino yatacittasya yuñjato yogam ātmanaḥ "As a lamp in a windless place burns bright, Unflickering, [...]
Help me be materially regulated and devotionally connected (6.17)
Bhagavad Gita 6.17 yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā "Balanced in eating, rest, and play, Measured in work throughout the day, With sleep [...]
Help me show you my sincerity and seek your mercy (6.07)
Bhagavad Gita 6.7 jitātmanaḥ praśāntasya paramātmā samāhitaḥ śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣu tathā mānāpamānayoḥ "One who has mastered the self stands serene, In heat or cold, in joy [...]
You are my supreme friend, who makes my mind my friend (6.06)
Bhagavad Gita 6.6 bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ anātmanas tu śatrutve vartetātmaiva śatru-vat "For one who has mastered the mind, It serves as a [...]
Help me to manage my mind with vigilance and diligence (6.05)
Bhagavad Gita 6.5 uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ "Use the mind for the soul's elevation, Let not the [...]
Sitare Zameen Par and the Gita: Beyond neurodivergence to transcendence
The movie Sitare Zameen Par shines a spotlight on the lives of neurodivergent children and adults. It raises awareness about their unique challenges and encourages [...]
Let your position and disposition inspire my devotion (5.29)
Bhagavad Gita 5.29 bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram suhr̥daṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati "For all offerings, know me to be the enjoyer. For all worlds, [...]
Help me tolerate the desires that are just my body’s reactions (5.23)
Bhagavad Gita 5.23 śaknotīhaiva yaḥ soḍhuṁ prāk śarīra-vimokṣaṇāt kāma-krodhodbhavaṁ vegaṁ sa yuktaḥ sa sukhī naraḥ "Tolerating while in this bodily frame, Desire and anger's [...]
Help me see the huge price I pay for a tiny pleasure (5.22)
Bhagavad Gita 5.22 ye hi saṁsparśa-jā bhogāḥ duḥkha-yonaya eva te ādy-antavantaḥ kaunteya na teṣu ramate budhaḥ "From the titillation of the senses comes a [...]
Now is my chance to access spiritual happiness (5.21)
Bhagavad Gita 5.21 bāhya-sparśeṣv asaktātmā vindaty ātmani yat sukham sa brahma-yoga-yuktātmā sukham akṣayam aśnute "Toward external sensations, be indifferent, In relishing inner joy, become [...]
Help me be spiritually dedicated, not materially diverted (5.20)
Bhagavad Gita 5.20 na prahṛṣyet priyaṁ prāpya nodvijet prāpya cāpriyam sthirabuddhir asammūḍho brahma-vid brahmaṇi sthitaḥ "Getting the desirable, one who is not elated, Nor [...]