Begin each day by putting on our armor
If we were fighting a war, we would begin each day by putting on our armor. Actually, we all are at war internally against negative [...]
Sensuality + Technology – Spirituality = Recipe for self-destruction
Sensuality + Technology - Spirituality = Recipe for self-destruction Sensuality: When we are consumed by sensual pleasures or even sensual fantasies, we become oblivious to [...]
How free pleasures are not free …
Today’s culture often dangles many pleasures that seem free. For example, the Internet offers loads of entertainment, apparently free. But are such pleasures really free? [...]
Why do small desires exert a big pull on us?
We all sometimes get caught in small desires that delude and distract us. These desires are small in the sense that they are about trivial [...]
How can we defend ourselves from our mind?
Our mind often speaks as the nasty, discouraging inner voice which says that we are nothing; we count for nothing; whatever we do will eventually [...]
Why bad habits don’t go away easily
If we leave our house empty while we go elsewhere, some squatters may occupy it. When we return, they refuse to go or even let [...]
We need inner accounting before we can have inner accountability
Suppose a social welfare organization is short of money and asks us to become a regular patron. Naturally, we will want some accountability. But if [...]
Don’t fight against your bad habits — cultivate good habits and let them fight against your bad habits
Don’t fight against your bad habits — cultivate good habits and let them fight against your bad habits When we have some bad habits, we [...]
The more we are aimless, the more we become shameless
The more we are aimless the more we become shameless Suppose a student is on vacation, with nothing specific to do. They may spend days [...]
If we are tormented by strong conscience and weak willpower, the solution is strengthening willpower, not weakening conscience
If we are tormented by strong conscience and weak willpower the solution is strengthening willpower not weakening conscience We all face situations in our life [...]
If we justify our weaknesses by comparing ourselves with those who are weaker, we weaken our motivation to rectify ourselves
If we justify our weaknesses by comparing ourselves with those who are weaker we weaken our motivation to rectify ourselves Suppose we have a weakness, [...]
Our clock may stop, but time doesn’t – don’t waste time
Our clock may stop but time doesn’t - don’t waste time Suppose we are working on a deadline-driven project. While we are racing against time, [...]
Learn to be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable
Learn to be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable Life often makes us uncomfortable, through stress, boredom, overwork, loneliness, sickness and so forth. On facing such discomfort, [...]
When the mind takes charge the only thing that works is we: hard
When the mind takes charge the only thing that works is we: hard Suppose a competent leader takes charge of a project. They ensure that [...]
Intelligence shows how indulgence is harmful and how harmful indulgence is
Intelligence shows how indulgence is harmful and how harmful indulgence is Less than a century ago, smoking was considered harmless. It took decades of intelligent [...]
Some limits restrict; some protect – knowing which limit does what is intelligence
Some limits restrict; some protect - knowing which limit does what is intelligence When we are limited in any way, we often see that limitation [...]
Intelligence is meant to be the mind’s instructor not its instrument
Intelligence is meant to be the mind’s instructor not its instrument We all have within us something that is impulsive and something that is reflective. [...]
Renunciation is an expensive business
Renunciation is an expensive business Some people think that renunciation is a cheap business: just as even those without much capital can start a cheap [...]
Liberty from responsibility is not liberty – it is slavery to irresponsibility
Liberty from responsibility is not liberty – it is slavery to irresponsibility We all long for liberty. In today’s uncommitted age, we may conceive of [...]