The mind is restless, reasonless, ruthless, relentless
The mind is restless reasonless ruthless relentless Why is controlling the mind so difficult? The Bhagavad-gita (06.34) explains using four describers, which can be summarized [...]
To have fixity in purpose we need flexibility in pace
To have fixity in purpose we need flexibility in pace Suppose we are driving to a distant place for some important work. If the road [...]
Friendly snakes are still snakes – beware of the snake-like senses
Friendly snakes are still snakes – beware of the snake-like senses Suppose someone adopts a poisonous snake as a pet. Even if that snake appears [...]
The mind is omnivorous – it devours whatever is present and feels pleasant
The mind is omnivorous – it devours whatever is present and feels pleasant Omnivorous creatures are indiscriminate in their eating; they consume whatever is available [...]
Thinking about worldly things is not attachment being unable to stop thinking of them is
Thinking about worldly things is not attachment being unable to stop thinking of them is Attachment is a state of mental bondage wherein our thoughts [...]
Stop worrying about avoiding temptation start working on cultivating absorption
Stop worrying about avoiding temptation start working on cultivating absorption When we resolve to resist some harmful temptation, we may fear, “The world is filled [...]
What we initially indulge in casually we eventually indulge in compulsively
What we initially indulge in casually we eventually indulge in compulsively When contemporary culture tempts us with addictive indulgences such as drinking, it often offers [...]
If you get the thought that you can never resist temptation treat that thought as a temptation and resist it
If you get the thought that you can never resist temptation treat that thought as a temptation and resist it Suppose an invading army infiltrates [...]
Fighting self-destructive desire by ourselves is like fighting a forest fire with bare hands
Fighting self-destructive desire by ourselves is like fighting a forest fire with bare hands When we indulge repeatedly in some self-destructive desire, it becomes addictive. [...]
Free will is the distance between impulse and response
Free will is the distance between impulse and response On seeing addicted people relapsing despite their best intentions, we may wonder, “Do they still have [...]
To bear the weight of freedom we need big shoulders
To bear the weight of freedom we need big shoulders Suppose someone has to carry a huge weight. If they don’t have shoulders big enough, [...]
Sensuality erodes both our tendency and our capacity for spirituality
Sensuality erodes both our tendency and our capacity for spirituality If we are to travel from place A to place B, we need the tendency [...]
The most damaging consequence of indulgence is nonchalance towards indulgence
The most damaging consequence of indulgence is nonchalance towards indulgence Suppose a butcher’s child kills an animal for the first time. Initially, his hand and [...]
Spiritual discipline is the road to freedom not a roadblock
Spiritual discipline is the road to freedom not a roadblock Many people believe that discipline is a roadblock to freedom – if they have to [...]
Purification reveals the healthier choice to be also the tastier choice
Purification reveals the healthier choice to be also the tastier choice Suppose we have to choose between candies and carrots. Even if we understand that [...]