Four levels of gratitude
Gratitude can be valued and sought at four distinct levels of increasing depth A positive emotion: Focusing on the good things in our life infuses [...]
Thinking tanking thanking — moving from pessimism to optimism
At any given time in our life, we all can list several things that are wrong. And we often need to be aware of those [...]
When appreciating life’s good things doesn’t foster gratitude …
We may have heard that gratitude arises when we appreciate the good things in our life. But what if such appreciation doesn’t foster gratitude? We [...]
Four stages in self-transformation
How can we assess our progress toward self-transformation? By noting the process we go through before making choices, both healthy and unhealthy. If we identify [...]
Wanting our wants or valuing our values?
When we try to improve ourselves, we often need to fight against our wants, especially those that are unhealthy or disproportionate. Yet we seem to [...]
When self-talk is counterproductive and when productive
Self-talk can refer to two broad things: Something inside us talks to us: We all have a voice inside us that keeps commenting about the [...]
Why conserving the energy of our consciousness is difficult
While there is increasing social support, even social pressure, for conserving forms of energy such as fossil fuels and electricity, there is disturbingly little social [...]
Beyond tolerating to appreciating (Religious tolerance series 4)
In modern history, religious tolerance was promoted primarily to stop the religions in power from persecuting other religions. Though such tolerance is necessary, it is [...]
Shifting focus from certainty to curiosity (Religious tolerance series 2)
“God said it; I accept it; that settles it.” Some people presume that such statements of absolute certainty demonstrate their strong faith. But might certainty [...]
How faith can make us open-minded
We live in a vast and complex world, wherein we seek safety and happiness by rearranging things according to our desires and plans. Our desires, [...]
What is your most dangerous distraction?
Though we are exposed to many distractions, some are more harmful than others. How can we know which distraction is most hazardous for us? By [...]
Through discipline to the stage beyond discipline
Self-discipline can seem to be a constant struggle between our far-sighted intentions and our short-sighted emotions. We may morosely ponder: “Will the struggle ever end?” [...]
How to assist our intelligence to support our endeavors for self-discipline
The Bhagavad-gita (18.38) outlines a vital life-truth: things that taste like nectar initially will taste like poison eventually. For example, when we eat fatty food, [...]
How doubt can’t live without faith (Dealing with doubt 7)
How doubt can’t live without faith- Parasites can’t exist without the host organisms they prey on. Doubt is such a parasite that can’t live without [...]
Learn to doubt and to go beyond doubt (Dealing with doubt 5)
Learn to doubt and to go beyond doubt - Suppose we are lost in a risky territory with many invisible dangers such as concealed ditches [...]
Handling the gun of doubt (Dealing with doubts 4)
Handling the gun of doubt - If we are traveling through a dangerous area, we need a good gun. Similarly, to function in an illusion-filled [...]
Gita 06.05 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 1-9: From Arurukshato (beginning stage) [...]
How self-doubt differs from self-appraisal (Dealing with doubts 3)
How self-doubt differs from self-appraisal - Suppose we have two acquaintances: one who gently explains to us our limitations during a mature discussion when we [...]
04.40 The liberating power of doubting our doubts (Dealing with doubts 2)
04.40 The liberating power of doubting our doubts - In some sports like judo, players use their opponents’ strength against them. When we are assaulted [...]
Can we order our desires ? (Desire management series 13)
Can we order our desires ? - The word ‘order’ can have two meanings: instruction (“You have to take medicine thrice a day — those [...]
How to deal with unending desire? – Desire management series 12
How to deal with unending desire?- A major problem with desire is its endlessness. When indulged, desire doesn’t end — it subsides temporarily only to [...]