Love values, but value love more
Values protect us from impulses. When we become angry or lusty or greedy, our values, especially our ethical and behavioral values, check us from acting [...]
Religion is meant for God; God is not meant for religion
Some exclusivist religions claim that no one can access God except through them. Such reduction of God to a monopolized commodity in the religious market [...]
Nothing can separate us from the infinite love of the infinite
We all fear loss– loss of job, money, health, looks, things. Most of all, we fear the loss of love. Love is what all of [...]
When we find ourselves in trouble, do we also find ourselves?
Arjuna found himself in big trouble at the start of the Bhagavad-gita. He was anguished by the prospect of fighting a war in which he [...]
Is our sight causing us to lose sight?
When we see a blind person struggling to find the way with a stick, we often feel compassion for that person’s condition. We consider our [...]
Long to belong where we eternally belong
Few things define us as much as our longings. They occupy our thoughts, shape our words and determine our actions. Sadly however, most of our [...]
Go beyond the stocking of information to the flowing of service
As we live in an information-centered age, we are often stimulated by new information. When we encounter the Bhagavad-gita, we tend to seek stimulation in [...]
Transform disappointment into his-appointment
When life confronts us with disappointments, we can transform them into his-appointments, into opportunities to connect with Krishna at a deeper level and thereby enrich [...]
Devotion is Krishna’s appetizer
Some people ask, “God is complete and doesn’t need anything. As he never feels hungry, what is the need to offer him food?” This question [...]
Materialism centers on gaining; spirituality centers on regaining
All of us have the drive to achieve, which we can direct either materially or spiritually. To aid us in choosing correctly, the Bhagavad-gita contrasts [...]
Krishna’s ladder of love helps us rise from wherever we presently are
Love for Krishna may sometimes seem a distant, abstract concept. But Gita wisdom offers a systematic pathway by which we can slowly but surely attain [...]
The goal of spiritual knowledge is not just discovery but also recovery
Some of us may get the doubt: “Science is exciting because therein we constantly discover new things. In spirituality, all the knowledge is already given [...]
Happiness is always a byproduct, never a product
All of us want to be happy. And the world is filled with activities that promise happiness – movies, music, video games, food, sex… Yet [...]
Give yourself permission to love Krishna by suspending disbelief
When we are practicing devotional service externally, internally we may be checked by the doubt: “How can I love Krishna when I am not sure [...]
Bhakti brings equality and universality on the spiritual path
Ours is an age that idealizes the equality of all human beings. The American Declaration of Rights which enshrines this equality is widely considered a [...]
Put the world out of the equation by the strength of devotion
“Work without attachment for success or failure.” This message of the Bhagavad-gita (02.48) begs the question: what are we to work for if not for [...]
Attraction to the supernatural is natural
Supernatural stunts in cartoons and sci-fi movies attract not only common people, but also diehard skeptics who usually denounce anything supernatural. They happily suspend their [...]
We cannot get pure devotion by more donation
“This person gives liberal donations for charitable causes.” Statements like these are becoming increasingly commonin the public profiles of well-to-do individuals. This trend may inspire [...]
Cherish the power of love, not the love of power
Power. That’s what motivates most politicians today. Because they usually have worldly values and goals, they imagine that worldly power is their gateway to happiness. [...]
Krishna’s pastimes are not just amusing – they are amazing
The Bhagavad-gita (04.09) makes the remarkable claim that when we understand Krishna’s appearance and activities in truth, we will attain liberation. Central to understanding this [...]
Loving as much as our heart longs
The Bhagavad-gita (12.13) indicates that a devotee who loves Krishna expands his love to the fullest potential by loving all living beings – as does [...]