A common proverb says: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” But meditative traditions teach the opposite – that emptying the mind of all content is essential. To reach this state of thoughtlessness, certain preparations must be made: cultivating a strong and healthy body, steady posture and the composure and resolve to face the mind’s ploys. With these in place, one can begin taking charge of the mind and experience the blissful stillness of dhyana.

The vagaries of the mind have been the same since time immemorial, as have its remedies. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna teaches us to still the mind and bring it inward. However, more than being just a mechanical practice, the path of meditation requires deep understanding and discriminative wisdom.

Many people say they are bhaktas, devotees of Krishna. But if they do not understand or follow Krishna’s teachings, how can they be called devotees? It is like a lady saying she loves her husband but never listens to him! Love is not in empty words. You do not become a devotee by merely performing arati or singing His name. You truly become a bhakta when you have joined your heart to Krishna in love and devotion, and...

“bhavāraṇyapraviṣṭasya diṅmōhabhrāntachētasaḥ ।
yēna sandarśitaḥ panthāḥ tasmai śrīguravē namaḥ ॥“

The lotus flower has become a symbol of purity – it has its roots in the muddy waters but emerges to the surface in full bloom. Purity has been given utmost significance in spiritual traditions, but it does not come on its own; a seeker has to nurture it carefully. The Bhagavad Gītā tells us the attributes to remember for cultivating this beauty and innocence.

Today, the word meditation has become familiar to almost any common person, and various teachers offer a range of practices – sometimes for a costly reward. Yet, there are still many misconceptions about what meditation truly means. To embark on this wondrous journey of inner evolution, it is essential to understand the fundamentals: How do we define meditation, and why should we meditate?

If you carefully observe yourself and the people around you, you will notice that everyone has a unique nature, which is reflected in the thoughts and desires of the person and how he or she interacts with others. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna teaches us about nature's three fundamental gunas or attributes and how they shape our mental makeup and deeds. By becoming aware of their functioning, we can make a positive change encompassing all aspects...

A big misconception doing the rounds is anger can be 'controlled'. However, that's far from the truth. Anger is like a fireball; it is bound to burn once out.

Dreams seem real while we are dreaming. While dreaming, one is totally oblivious to the waking state world. When we wake up, the very dream that seemed so real whilst dreaming, becomes unreal. But if we never woke up? What will be a dream and what will be the reality then? If our sleep continues endlessly, then dreams would become our reality. When you are in the dream world, you have absolutely no memory of the waking world and...