Why compassion matters more than erudition
Suppose we discuss spirituality with a loved one whose conceptions differ from what we have learnt in sacred texts like the Bhagavad-gita. We may feel [...]
When helping others is compassion and when it isn’t …
Suppose someone is starving. We may help them by giving some money. If they are starving because a recession has left them jobless, they will [...]
Are we holding others to an unrealistically high standard?
Suppose someone we know does something so shocking that we feel, “I don’t want anything to do with such a horrible person.” While our shock [...]
Learn to see Krishna’s love with the eyes of knowledge
Our culture often bombards us with explicit images of what is considered to be love. If we equate love with such gushy expressions alone, we [...]
Focus not on the reach of your outreach; focus on how much you reach Krishna through your outreach
The Bhagavad-gita (18.68) proclaims that those who share its message of love get pure devotion to Krishna. The next verse (18.69) further declares that such [...]
Devotees left with nothing are right with Krishna
Some people believe that material prosperity is a sign of God’s pleasure and material adversity, a sign of his displeasure. Such beliefs are typical of [...]
Complete charity makes the receiver feel valued , not pitied
The Bhagavad-gita helps us to go beyond appearance to substance in terms of not just identity (beyond the body to the soul), but also mentality [...]
Spirituality values even the fools who find no value in spirituality
To appreciate the value of spirituality requires a sharp and deep intelligence that can penetrate through the surface appearance of things and ponder the core [...]
See the sufferings of the attached with compassion, not condescension
Some spiritualists equate spiritual advancement with apathy towards all human emotions. When they see others afflicted by emotions such as agony at the loss of loved [...]
Might we be blocking the progress of a work in progress?
Suppose a child lying on a mother’s lap sees her mother stitching and weaving a cloth. The needle seems to come in and out of [...]
What defines us as devotees is not how we fall, but how we rise
When we fail and fall while practicing the moral standards expected of us as devotees, we often feel discouraged, “I will never be able to [...]
The world is in a mess – as usual
The daily news of natural disasters like hurricanes and human-made distresses like corruption show that the world is in a terrible mess. Seeing this, we [...]
We cannot get pure devotion by more donation
“This person gives liberal donations for charitable causes.” Statements like these are becoming increasingly commonin the public profiles of well-to-do individuals. This trend may inspire [...]
Krishna’s ways may not always be pleasant, but they are always benevolent
When things go wrong and disrupt our lives, a doubt may trouble us: is Krishna really my well-wisher? While dealing with such doubts, we need [...]
Love not just ideal people, but also real people
It’s relatively easy to love ideal people: those who have only virtues, no vices. And we do need to love them so that we develop [...]