How to avoid unhealthy reactions to unwanted emotions
How to avoid unhealthy reactions to unwanted emotions - Suppose we experience a craving that runs contrary to the principles we hold sacred. Faced with [...]
How to see negative emotions positively
We all sometimes experience negative emotions such as loneliness, dejection, resentment, anger or fear. When such emotions arise, we may let ourselves get carried away [...]
Gita 02.52 explained
Now, after describing this, Krishna will again come to the point of how this attainment of anamayam (2.51) is beyond even the Vedas. It [...]
How intelligence and scripture may increase our illusions
How intelligence and scripture may increase our illusions - The Bhagavad-gita (02.53) cautions that our intelligence can get lost in the forest of illusion created [...]
What does it mean to “follow our heart”?
What does it mean to “follow our heart”? - Suppose we have to decide about complex and consequential issues such as choosing a career, a [...]
What is the heart?
Many regularly used words have nuances that we rarely ponder. Consider the word “heart.” When we say, “He suffered a heart attack,” we refer to [...]
How to expand our God consciousness in our relationships
How to expand our God consciousness in our relationships - When we strive to become God conscious by doing various devotional practices, we often start [...]
Do emotions reside in the mind?
Do emotions reside in the mind? - To understand, consider an analogous question: do sensations reside in the body? Suppose a 20 kg dumbbell is [...]
How are thoughts and emotions related
How are thoughts and emotions related - Thoughts and emotions are sometimes seen as sequential — when we think steadily about something, we feel emotions [...]
Do bad thoughts comprise bad karma?
Do bad thoughts comprise bad karma? - At one level, yes. Because thinking is also a form of activity, and every activity comes under the [...]
Are thoughts things?
Are thoughts things? - The word “thing” has multiple meanings. It can refer to an object, especially an inanimate object, as in: “There wasn't a [...]
Will negative imagination lead to self-fulfilling prophecies?
Will negative imagination lead to self-fulfilling prophecies? - When a person having unhealthy habits is told to imagine the disasters that may result if they [...]
Gita 02.63 explained
BG 2.63 krodhad bhavati sammohah sammohat smriti-vibhramah smriti-bhramsad buddhi-naso buddhi-nasat pranasyati SYNONYMS krodhat -- from anger; bhavati -- takes place; sammohah -- perfect illusion; [...]
The power of negative imagination
The power of negative imagination - Biologically, we are wired more to fear pain than to savor pleasure. In most enjoyable situations, there’s a self-evident [...]
Use imagination to reinforce resolution
Use imagination to reinforce resolution - We sometimes resolve to not do something, yet end up doing that very thing. For example, we may resolve [...]
We are already in God’s embrace
We are already in God’s embrace - How we conceive God determines how we relate with him. If we conceive of him as a being [...]
Why compassion matters more than erudition
Why compassion matters more than erudition - Suppose we discuss spirituality with a loved one whose conceptions differ from what we have learnt in sacred [...]
Understanding the relationship between love and freedom
Understanding the relationship between love and freedom Love is founded in freedom: Suppose a boy proposes to a girl saying, “I love you. Will you [...]
How Krishna’s relationship with us differs from our relationship with him
How Krishna’s relationship with us differs from our relationship with him - The Bhagavad-gita’s conclusion contains a disarming declaration: Krishna is determined to love us [...]
How desires differ from emotions — and why the difference matters
How desires differ from emotions — and why the difference matters - When we make resolutions for self-mastery, we are often thwarted by our emotions [...]
How the Gita demonstrates its teaching
How the Gita demonstrates its teaching - The Bhagavad-gita concludes, in one sense, with Arjuna agreeing to do Krishna’s will (18.73). Yet the Gita continues [...]