A Moment of Thought to Evaluate the Thought of the Moment
We are constantly filled with thoughts, many of which pop up and then disappear without us paying much attention. This in itself is not a [...]
Preventing the need for food from becoming greed for food
Detachment arises from understanding that desire can only be dealt with by tolerating it, never by titillating it. We all face sensual desires, and it [...]
From wishful and fretful thinking to prayerful and purposeful thinking
Let our thinking not be wishful or fearful; let it be prayerful and purposeful. Our thinking capacity is our most powerful capacity. It is the [...]
How meditation differs from obsession and frees us from obsession
The Bhagavad-gita (18.22) describes knowledge in the mode of ignorance, which leads people to obsess over one thing as if it were everything. Such an [...]
Importance of intelligence in meditation
Our intelligence is meant to be our protector, akin to an inner guard. We need such a guard because inside us is our mind, which [...]
When efforts to concentrate just don’t work …
Whenever we are trying to meditate on Krishna, we may often be challenged by our mind’s wandering here and there. In the Bhagavad-gita (6.26), Krishna [...]
Get out of the intelligence in ignorance
In the Bhagavad-gita (18.32), Krishna states how the buddhi that is in tamas – the intelligence that is in ignorance – arrives at conclusions opposite [...]
The mind needs to be cured not crushed
In the Bhagavad Gita 6.56, Krishna states that the mind can be managed only by an appropriate process. This emphasis on an appropriate process indicates [...]
Anxious mind sick mind — be patient
Suppose someone has a severe disease that takes time to cure. We don't hold it against them if they don't become healthy overnight, even after [...]
Worrying vs Meditating
Whenever we worry in life, it's because things are either going out of our control or threatening to do so, which brings a shocking and [...]
How deep breathing decreases fear
Deep breathing may not remove our fears, but it removes the power of our fears to fuel our imagination. Whenever fear attacks us, it fuels [...]
How to be present in the present
To be present in the present, we need to learn to focus gradually and incrementally. If our mind is wandering, we can bring it back [...]
How distraction cheats us
The problem with distraction is that it leads to a frustrating non-presence in the present. The present moment is an opportunity for us to both [...]
Change the question we ask ourselves
Whenever we are strongly attached to something and we keep doing that thing, even though we have decided we won't do it, frequently we ask [...]
How the mind is like a computer
The mind is often very mysterious to understand. One way to understand it is by comparing it to a computer. Just as a computer operates [...]
How sleeping can help spiritual realization
Generally sleeping is thought of as an activity in the mode of ignorance, which doesn't help us to grow spiritually: however, every night when we [...]
What does meditation mean?
Does meditation mean that we become free from all thoughts? Some people have this idea that our thoughts are the cause of our troubles and [...]
Three steps toward becoming more focused
We all have the experience that we get distracted and waste a lot of time due to the resulting underperformance. To become more focused, we [...]
When our mind weakens our connection with reality
Whenever our mind weakens our connection with reality, we need to stop, not rush forward. Suppose we are talking with someone on phone and say [...]
Unnecessary inner baggage
What some people considered to be essential luggage, others considered to be dispensable baggage. When we are traveling, we often pack a lot of things [...]
Two ways to avoid agitation
Whenever something happens in the world, which is agitating, be it in the form of some temptation or some trouble coming upon us, how can [...]