Three meanings of ‘fire’ and how they apply to our inner world
The word fire has multiple meanings: a natural force that burns, the dismissal of someone from their job, and an energizing enthusiasm or motivation (as [...]
Make me self-aware and strong to combat the inner enemy (3.40)
Bhagavad Gita 3.40 indriyāṇi mano buddhir asyādhiṣṭhānam ucyate etair vimohayaty eṣa jñānam āvṛtya dehinam "The senses, the mind, the intelligence— These all are lust's [...]
Let me take the war against temptation seriously (2.68)
Let me take the war against temptation seriously Bhagavad Gita 2.68 tasmād yasya mahā-bāho nigṛhītāni sarvaśaḥ indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā "Therefore, O mighty-armed, be [...]
Temptations are like precision-guided missiles
In a war, the enemy is not just passively waiting to be attacked by us, nor is it hyper-angrily racing to attack us. If the [...]
Evil has no independent power, yet it is incredibly powerful
When people do horrible things, we may wonder, “Where does such evil come from? Are some people innately evil? Or are they impelled to evil [...]
More dangerous than the enemies that threaten are the enemies that tempt
More dangerous than the enemies that threaten are the enemies that tempt Suppose we are fighting a war. We will be on guard against those [...]
If we don’t give the devil his due, he will take more than his due
If we don’t give the devil his due he will take more than his due The devil is envisioned in some traditions as a malefic [...]
Those who fight their inner devils are the ultimate daredevils
Those who fight their inner devils are the ultimate daredevils Many people like to be daredevils. Wanting a sense of adventure and achievement, they dive [...]
Eventual defeat doesn’t justify immediate defeat
When we strive to live a principle-centered life by resisting temptations, we may find some temptation irresistible and feel, “Since I will indulge eventually, why [...]