We welcome all admirers of beauty, but what exactly is beauty? Have you ever seen someone use a mirror only to frown at the reflection staring back at them? Why does the mind become uneasy upon seeing wrinkles or imperfections? Is what we see truly beautiful or ugly, or is it merely a reflection of our perceptions? The story of Ashtavakra serves as a profound reminder that beauty lies beyond physical appearances, and wisdom lies in transcending superficial judgments. It... Read more
“With the discriminating intellect, lift yourself above worldly matters. Do not immerse yourself in them. For you alone are your friend, and you alone are your enemy.” uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ (B.G. 6.5) The Corruption of Innocence In ancient India, there lived a young man named Ahimsaka, meaning “the harmless one.” Born into a noble family, Ahimsaka was a bright, intelligent, and kind-hearted child. His parents adored him, and he was loved by the... Read more
Knowing Oneself: The Key to Understanding Life To truly understand the Indian psyche, one must delve into the teachings of the Upanishads. These ancient texts are essential because they address the core of our existence: understanding oneself. The journey of the Upanishads is a journey inward—an exploration of the self—and before we can understand the external world, we must first understand who we truly are. The Upanishads guide us to know ourselves beyond what can be seen. They speak not... Read more
In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves trapped in a cycle of emotional highs and lows, dictated by our attachments to people, outcomes, and material possessions. These attachments, while seemingly natural, can lead to confusion, stress, and suffering. Over two millennia ago, the Bhagavad Gita addressed this very human struggle. Through the dialogue between Lord Krishna and the warrior Arjuna, the Gita offers timeless wisdom on how to break free from the chains of attachment and find inner... Read more
The steam curls from your mug, carrying the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. It’s a familiar comfort, a morning ritual that marks the start of a new day. But today, that day feels different. Today, you’re embarking on a journey of building a new life. A life, much like a cup of coffee, can be both bitter and sweet. It is an amalgamation of experiences, emotions, and choices that brew together to create our unique journey. Karma, that... Read more
I loved the movie. We have been waiting for months. My son just stepped into his teenage years and it helped him to understand emotions. Emotions play an important part in our lives, but the most important thing is learning how to deal with them. Just like Riley’s emotional headquarters in “Inside Out 2,” our own minds are a constant dance of emotions. Pixar’s delightful film “Inside Out 2” throws a whole new wrench into the emotional mix – Anxiety... Read more
“Ugh, Maria cut in line again? That woman is a walking karmic disaster!” Sarah grumbled, watching Maria snatch the last pain au chocolat from the bakery display. “She’ll get hers someday, you just wait.” This common refrain – “what goes around comes around” – echoes the concept of karma, a universal law in Eastern religions. But what exactly is karma, and how does it influence our lives? Let’s delve deeper… One of the mysteries puzzling human minds since ages is... Read more
The world is rife with conflicts arising from thoughts, ideologies, messages, and cultures. These conflicts often stem from the way we perceive the world—through the lens of our judgments and biases. This perspective creates a reality that is filtered through likes, dislikes, and subjective perceptions, leading to disharmony. Vedanta, an ancient Indian philosophy, provides the strength and capacity to transcend these conflicts and inconsistencies in life. By applying its principles, we can achieve a clearer vision of the world... Read more
Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare – I stopped and paused for a while, captivated by the soothing chants from a nearby temple. My tangles with found a solace in the harmonious sound. I drawn irresistibly, followed the chants. As soon as I stepped inside, the resonance enveloped me. I felt a wave of tranquillity was over me and I seamlessly entered a state of deep meditation. The quest still lingers in my mind. How do these... Read more
AUM is a letter, a word. It is also a sound or resonance. There are three sounds in AUM which are known as ‘matra’ (vowel diacritics). They are ‘a’, ‘u’ and ‘m’. When ‘a’ and ‘u’ merge they form ‘o’. when ‘m’ gets placed alongside with ‘o’ it forms ‘OM’. Thus, all sounds of all languages, either vowels or consonants, are all contained in ‘OM’. That is why OM is a unique universal sound. According to Mandukaya Upanishad,... Read more
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