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Currently Browsing: Practical Spirituality
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September 2023
4155)
Short-term goals foster unity better than long-term goals?
4154)
India or Bharat?: A Bhagavad-gita perspective
4153)
3 Ts of Prabhupada’s historic outreach
4152)
Eradicate Sanatana-Dharma – Hindi
August 2023
4151)
4 ways human consciousness went down – Darn acronym
4150)
Prabhupada’s statements on the moon mission_ How to understand?
4149)
Hindi QA_ Science, Spirituality, Oppenheimer movie, Bhagavad-Gita in daily life
4148)
OMG 2 Sex Education A Bhagavad Gita Perspective
4147)
OMG 2 Sex Education A Bhagavad Gita Perspective – Hindi
4146)
Oppenheimer movie, atom bombs & sex scenes_ Western vs Indian visions of Bhagavad-gita- Discussion
4145)
Oppenheimer movie_ Gita recited during sex scene_ Hindi
4144)
Oppenheimer movie-Gita recited during sex scene
4143)
Bhagavad-gita perspective on the movie OPPENHEIMER
July 2023
4142)
Chandraayana – India’s Moon Mission: A Bhagavad-Gita perspective
4141)
Is there any scriptural reference for the idea that the moon we see and Chandraloka are not the same?
4140)
If insider-insider and insider-outsider communications are different, then won’t those who hear both find them contradictory?
4139)
Hindi – Adipurusha movie: Ramayana: Modernized or minimized? Souless remake unmakes soulful epic
4138)
Adipurusha movie: Ramayana: Modernized or minimized? Souless remake unmakes soulful epic
4137)
Do we need to dress and bathe our home Deities daily to treat them personally?
June 2023
4136)
When various paths are accepted in Hinduism, why does ISKCON criticize impersonalism ?
4135)
When someone is misleading others and we need to stop them how can we do so more calmly?
4134)
As life is so short, should we spend it in learning Sanskrit or just focus on chanting?
4133)
When we are unable to apply the philosophy what can we do?
4132)
If we are not absorbed in kirtan, will we not go back to Godhead?
4131)
Is depression caused by the lower modes If so then how does medication help?
4130)
Are Nirvisheshavada and Mayavada two names of the same philosophy?
4129)
If sensory knowledge is defective, why do we use it to refute atheistic theories?
4128)
Does achintyabhedabheda harmonize dvaita & advaita – or fall in the dvaita category?
4127)
What are the English translations for the six systems of philosophy?
May 2023
4126)
What is the destination of the yogis who meditated on paramatma?
4125)
When Vedas are said to be superior to pratyaksha and anumana, which meaning of Veda is used?
4124)
In the three scopes of meanings of the word Veda, which meaning is used by the Vedas themselves?
4123)
When every soul is spiritually individual, how are we all spiritually equal?
4122)
As yoga refers to the connection and Patanjali is said to have taught yoga did he teach all the various ways of connecting?
4121)
When forming friendships should we look for compatibility of astrological charts?
4120)
What is the need to reword Prabhupada’s message? Aren’t his words enough?
4119)
During Vedic animal sacrifices, were the animals killed before being offered into the fire?
4118)
Can the law of attraction work without any physical effort?
4117)
Once we know what our needs are, how can we fulfill those needs?
4116)
Are there fixed set of needs that define human being?
4115)
When someone is trying to manipulate us, should we still not get cross with them?
April 2023
4114)
How were women educated in the past in Vedic culture?
4113)
If wine is bad why is it allowed in heavens?
4112)
If we really have free will, how does God control everything? – Chaitanya Charan
4111)
When we feel that our problems arose because we were misguided – Yamaduta-Yamaraja discussion 1
4110)
Does love mean shielding our loved ones from their actions’ consequences? PEER acronym
4109)
Understanding the spiritual world: its relevance, rationale, resplendence
4108)
Study from different perspectives – HH SB Keshava Maharaj, HG Chaitanya Charan
4107)
Is it that the material world works according mechanisms?
4106)
When devotees leave the body, do they also have go through the process which they withdraw various elements inwards?
4105)
If we feel guilty about our inability to practice bhakti seriously, what can we do?
March 2023
4104)
What is the best way to study the Bhagavad Gita when there are so many classes, articles and commentaries available?
4103)
Should we inform a senior devotee if they speak a material fact or story wrong in their class?
4102)
If senior devotees don’t support our ambitions to expand outreach, what can we do?
4101)
Should spiritual leaders engage in politics?
4100)
If we lose something material, how much should we endeavor to regain it?
4099)
Can one action lead to a different karmic reaction? Can the reaction to be arson?
4098)
When we lose something vital for both material and spiritual life, what can we do?
4097)
Why are feelings of inferiority increasing nowadays How can bhakti help?
4096)
Why are more people experiencing suicidal urges nowadays?
4095)
If a disease limits our bhakti, should we see it as our past karma or as Krishna’s mercy?
4094)
Does saying that multiple causes may lead to one effect make karma theory vague and unprovable?
4093)
Can someone be growing spiritually and still relapsing to sense gratification?
4092)
When devotees’ hear while doing other activities, is that due to nature or poor prioritization?
4091)
Are second initiated devotees kanistha or madhyama?
4090)
How to deal with a phobia that consumes our consciousness?
February 2023
4089)
Is investing in mutual funds violation of the regulatory principle against gambling?
4088)
How to respond to the controversy over the editing of Prabhupada’s books?
4087)
How can the dead guide the living?
4086)
Is Lord Ganesh jiva-tattva?
4085)
When our urges become irresistible, what can we do?
4084)
Does the soul use its spiritual intelligence or material intelligence to realize its spirituality?
4083)
If we feel attracted to a particular person but don’t want to pursue that relationship, what can we do?
4082)
Even if God exists how does it matter to me?
4081)
From outer happiness to inner happiness
4080)
Explaining cow care to the contemporary world
4079)
What is the significance of the number three Why are sacred things often repeated thrice?
4078)
If the outreach mood of a particular place doesn’t zeal with our disposition, what can we do?
4077)
What’s wrong with committing suicide when yogis ending their life is considered glorious?
4076)
When we lose our job which scriptural verses or sections can we turn to for guidance?
4075)
Should the problems in following authority be discussed only privately and not publicly?
4074)
Can fault finding be used constructively in devotional service?
January 2023
4073)
How can the light of religion help a world in conflict?
4072)
If our institutional faith is shaken while our personal faith is strong, how can we progress?
4071)
How can I grow spiritually when I have diverse spiritual interests and am hesitant about institutional affiliation?
December 2022
4070)
Is it better to set big goals that are inspiring or small goals that are achievable?
4069)
How can we become more disciplined?
4068)
How can we know the mood of our spiritual master?
4067)
Why are temples closed during eclipses?
4066)
When we tolerate amid difficulties, how can we tolerate not out of helplessness but out of purposefulness?
4065)
How can we develop attachment to Krishna if we don’t have it initially?
4064)
If eating meat is sinful, then are all the countries that are primarily non-vegetarian destined for hell? (Hindi)
4063)
If the soul is eternal, why is the world’s population increasing (Hindi)
4062)
Is initiation absolutely important when the guru inspiring us is not accessible?
4061)
Can we hear bhajans sung by someone not from our movement?
4060)
Is our existence itself an unfairness and a mystery, wherein many big questions have no answers?
4059)
Had all the Jews who were killed by Hitler done bad karma that led to their genocide
4058)
When a helpless girl is raped, does the Gita say that it happened due to her past karma? (Hindi)
4057)
Does our breath make the sound so ‘ham – does that suggest we are God?
4056)
If someone is abused despite praying to Krishna for protection, isn’t it easier for them to reject God?
4055)
If it’s impossible to find happiness without Krishna, aren’t we being forced to love him?
4054)
Can we hear beautiful bhajans if they are not sung by devotees?
4053)
How do we understand Prabhupada’s seemingly anti-woman statements?
4052)
Why does Krishna not make another world where we can be happy without him?
4051)
Do our intentions to control the mind also come from the mind – or do they come from the soul with its own mind?
4050)
If we have performed shraddha on Ekadashi, will we therefore go to hell, ref Bhag 7.14.20-23. How to atone?
4049)
What is the root cause of misdeeds? Is it avidya? How is it removed by bhakti?
November 2022
4048)
Book distribution inspiration – how can we motivate ourselves spiritually for distributing Prabhupada’s books during the marathon?
4047)
How do we balance spiritual life with material life?
4046)
When other sampradayas quote certain verses from scripture to prove that their particular founder is also an incarnation of God – How do we respond to such scriptural references?
4045)
If we have lost a loved one, how can we deal with the grief?
4044)
If freewill is connected with desires and choices then how can we develop our intelligence so that we can desire and choose better
4043)
How dependent is karma on destiny and destiny on karma?
4042)
What happiness does the soul get in the spiritual world that it doesn’t get in the material world?
4041)
Should we celebrate festivals like Tulsi Vivah that were not celebrated during Prabhupada’s times?
4040)
Kantara movie – A Bhagavad-gita perspective – Chaitanya Charan
October 2022
4039)
201 The letter of scripture and the spirit of scripture The Monk_’s Podcast with Yogeshvara Prabhu
4038)
World Mental Health Day Special Bhagavad-gita Insights for a Healthy Mind
4037)
How to know when we are getting realization and when doing speculation?
4036)
If we get a dream in which our spiritual master is displeased with us, what does that mean?
4035)
Krishna being omnipotent can be present in his deity, but how can Prabhupada be present in his deity?
4034)
How can we get fresh insights while studying scripture?
4033)
To go to Krishna, do we need to attain a particular stage in bhakti?
4032)
When our hearing becomes mechanical, what can we do?
4031)
Why is Prabhupada was so strong in criticizing mayavadis and so mild in criticizing muslims?
4030)
If the same event can be explained at multiple levels, are different explanations meant for people at different levels?
4029)
Why shouldn’t we be just positive and not bother about things like death?
September 2022
4028)
How can we make bhakti accessible without diluting it? – Chaitanya Charan
4027)
How to make our Sunday talks relevant Chaitanya Charan with Caru P on the ISKCON Relevance Project podcast
4026)
3 conceptions of renunciation frustration, aversion, redirection – Chaitanya Charan
4025)
When is doing something externally without inner feeling good and when is it bad?
4024)
If a prescribed homeopathic medicine that contains 90% alchohol, can we take it?
4023)
If someone has committed suicide, how can we help their relatives?
4022)
When our hearing becomes mechanical, what can we do?
August 2022
4021)
Karthikeya 2 vs PK Logical approach to religion done right and wrong?
4020)
Karthikeya 2 Movie: A Bhagavad – Gita Perspective
4019)
Hearing with the ears, the head and the heart – Chaitanya Charan on Vedasara P’s Heartspace podcast
July 2022
4018)
Brahminical culture what it was and how it was preserved through two kinds of brahmanas
4017)
Why wisdom sometimes enlightens and sometimes doesn’t
4016)
Could the 63 millions deaths due to abortion be deaths that had to happen due to mass karma?
4015)
From lower taste to higher taste through higher vision
4014)
How do the nine forms of devotional service combined with the three modes lead to 81 categories of devotional service?
4013)
Why wisdom sometimes enlightens and sometimes doesn’t
4012)
Are Jordan Peterson’s ideas relevant for Bhakti theology? QA with Chaitanya Charan
4011)
Could the 63 millions deaths due to abortion be deaths that had to happen due to mass karma?
4010)
Do men have no right to speak on abortion because they have never carried a baby?
June 2022
4009)
In today’s culture that teaches no respect for elders, how can we share spirituality?
4008)
Roe V Wade reversed A Bhagavad-gita perspective on the US removal of women’s right to abortion
4007)
Till what point should we tolerate?
4006)
When we see something wrong happening, should we humbly tolerate or stand up for justice?
4005)
How can we know that we are progressing spiritually?
4004)
How can we get the determination to apply scripture?
4003)
How can we maintain our faith amid extreme difficulties?
4002)
How can a student practice bhakti?
4001)
199 Focusing on the practical in the scriptural – The Monk’s Podcast with Kaustubha Prabhu
4000)
If I don’t find answers by different devotees equally convincing, am I judging them?
3999)
Texas school shooting were all victims subject to mass karma?
3998)
196 Systematic outreach for sustainable community development – The Monk’s Podcast with Aniruddha P
3997)
Can devotees on the Vyasasana speak something out of parampara eg. all of Bhagavatam is not practical?
3996)
195 Pursuing writing as an art in bhakti, The Monk’s podcast 195 with Urmila Mataji
3995)
193 Thoughts on ISKCON’s future The Monk s Podcast with Govardhana Prabhu
3994)
When different devotees emphasize different things as most important in bhakti, how to avoid getting confused?
May 2022
3993)
192 Empathic communication why it is important in bhakti-The Monk’s podcast with Bir Krishna Maharaja
3992)
Texas school shooting: A Bhagavad-gita perspective – Chaitanya Charan
3991)
Do you watch the movies that you comment on?
3990)
Is a devotee’s suffering caused by Krishna, not karma?
3989)
What are the meaning of Nirishvarvadi, Brahmavadi, Mayavadi, Shunyavadi, Nirakarvadi, Nirvisheshvadi terms?
3988)
Kali’s brutality & Krishna’s immorality Understanding Vedic conceptions of divinity
3987)
Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover: A Bhagavad-gita Perspective – Chaitanya Charan
3986)
As many Hindu temples don’t allow non-Hindus to enter, is the Vedic tradition really inclusive?
April 2022
3985)
Is the RRR movie a contemporary retelling of Ramayana?
March 2022
3984)
191 Wars: What can’t be prevented can be minimized, The Monk’s Podcast with Govinda Prabhu
3983)
The Kashmir files reminder: Denying truth for tolerance’s sake destroys both truth and tolerance
3982)
Rising beyond caste discrimination to effective equality, Chaitanya Charan on Kishori Jani M podcast
3981)
190 Sannyasa ashrama in the bhakti tradition: Overvalued or devalued? The Monk’s Podcast 190 with Yadunandana Maharaj
3980)
189 The Spiritual Advisors Bhagavata Assembly (SABHA) The Monks Podcast 189 with Nrsimhananda Prabhu
February 2022
3979)
What tangible good does ISKCON do the world – how to explain in universal terms?
3978)
What role do the modes play in the soul’s journey through material existence both in terms of the desire to enjoy separate and the facility to learn lessons?
3977)
188 Does beating our mind mean distrusting ourselves? The Monk’s Podcast with Mahatma P
3976)
Religion vs Spirituality – Chaitanya Charan on Wisdom of the Sages podcast
3975)
Dowry System: See beyond specific rules to universal values
3974)
When meat is offered to goddess Kali, does she accept it?
3973)
Isn’t wearing Hijab the religious right of Muslim women If Yogi Adityanath can wear saffron, why can’t Muslim women wear hijab?
3972)
Can attraction to a devotee become a distraction on the spiritual path?
3971)
What are miracles, why are they downplayed in bhakti, can they be used in bhakti?
3970)
How to guide our children during their teenager phase?
3969)
Does the word karma have different meanings in different contexts?
3968)
186 Expanding online outreach during Covid times The Monk’s Podcast with Amogha Lila Prabhu
3967)
185 What are the modes? why is understanding them so important? – The Monk’s Podcast with Garuda Prabhu
3966)
What are miracles, why are they downplayed in bhakti, can they be used in bhakti?
January 2022
3965)
184 Creativity:how to see it devotionally and use it effectively – The Monk’s Podcast with Yogesvara Prabhu
3964)
183 Gita Political Philosophy series 2 Capitalism Communism Dharma The Monk’s Podcast with Govinda Prabhu
3963)
182 How to guide effectively – The Monk’s Podcast with Radha Gopinath P and Shyamananda Prabhu
3962)
181 Challenges in implementing varnashrama – The Monk’s Podcast 181 with Bhakti Vikas Maharaj
3961)
When we desire something is it the soul desiring or is it simply the mind desiring?
3960)
Is there anything spiritual about our nature or is it simply result of our past desires & karma according to which Krishna has given us our body & mind with their nature?
3959)
179 Varna and ashram roles of women: Impact of the Industrial Revolution The Monk’s Podcast Urmila Mataji
3958)
Is spiritual tourism to India dangerous for one’s mental health?
3957)
How can we make our children great devotees like Prahlad?
3956)
178 Gita & political philosophy series 1: Freedom & State Power, The Monk’s Podcast with Govinda Prabhu
3955)
Freeing ourselves from Karma
3954)
Is hearing devotees speak in confidence about their grievances with devotee-leaders a Vaishnava-apradha?
3953)
Are the four defects due to our conditioning or due to our finiteness?
December 2021
3952)
Why might devotees learned in bhakti scriptures leave bhakti?
3951)
How can we deal with our past mistakes, especially if some devotees bring up those mistakes repeatedly?
3950)
If others become envious about us, what can we do?
3949)
What is the source of intuition higher modes or Krishna?
3948)
While making decisions, how can we know whether we are in touch with the Supersoul?
3947)
How can we pass on inheritance to our children in a way that they won’t misuse by acting in the lower modes?
3946)
Appreciating Radhanatha Maharajas holistic faithfulness to the Gaudiya tradition including to the flexibility of the tradition
3945)
Appreciating Radhanath Maharaja’s expertise in community building
3944)
Do we need a shiksha guru when we don’t get personal guidance from our diksha-guru?
3943)
How Gaudiya Vaishnavism can inspire eco-friendly living, The Monk’s Podcast 176 with Radhika Raman Prabhu
3942)
Protecting dharma 2 Lessons from history guidelines for today – The Monks Podcast 175 with Govinda Prabhu
3941)
Why do you put an unlimited God into the small box of a particular scripture, group or practice?
3940)
Why senior devotees may commit suicide?
3939)
Did Bhaktivinoda Thakura give a nonliteral understanding of Bhagavatam cosmology and chronology just to appease his British audience?
3938)
What is the difference between revelation and realization?
3937)
Radhanath Maharaja’s expertise in sharing devotional service
November 2021
3936)
What is dharma and how can it be protected part 1 The Monks Podcast 173 with Govinda Prabhu
3935)
What does depending on Krishna mean, practically, The Monk’s Podcast 171 with Radheshyam Prabhu
3934)
Why our personal experiences matter in our spiritual journey, The Monk’s Podcast 169-Yogesvara Prabhu
3933)
Big projects in bhakti Reasons concerns and suggestions The Monk s Podcast 168 with Shyamananda Prabhu
3932)
Working with Hindu organizations for common causes, The Monk’s Podcast 167 with Mahaprabhu Prabhu
3931)
Evolution Bhagavatam What are the issues for devotees The Monk s Podcast 165 with Akhandadhi Prabhu
October 2021
3930)
How cow care represents universal ethical principles, The Monk’s Podcast 163 with Krishna Kshetra Maharaj
3929)
Continuity & change from Bhaktisiddhanta ST to Prabhupada The Monk s Podcast 161 with Bhakti Vikas Maharaj
3928)
How to respond to the Muslim attacks on devotees in Bangladesh
3927)
Finding guidance in Prabhupada’s books, The Monk’s Podcast 158 with Krishna Dharma P & Chintamani Dharma M
3926)
Is Prabhupada’s Gita bhakti biased The Monks Podcast 157 with Garuda Prabhu
September 2021
3925)
Book Distribution As The Engine For Community Building,The Monk’s Podcast 155-Vaisesika Prabhu, @Bhadra Purnima special
3924)
How decentralized management can help the bhakti movement flourish, The Monk’s Podcast153 with Urmila M
3923)
Maslow’s theory of motivations – A Spiritual Perspective, The Monk’s Podcast 154 with Shyamananda P
3922)
Taliban’s conquest of Afghanistan A dharmic perspective. The Monk’s Podcast 152 with Hridayananda M part 2
3921)
Appreciating others’ individuality for redefining preaching, The Monk’s Podcast 151-Shaunaka Rishi Prabhu
3920)
Taliban’s conquest of Afghanistan A dharmic perspective-The Monk’s Podcast 150 with Hridayananda Maharaj part 1
3919)
Krishna Consciousness in Japan, China and South-East Asia-The Monk’s Podcast 149-Kavicandra Maharaj
3918)
If a daughter takes care of her parents because the son doesn’t, is she giving up her sva-dharma?
August 2021
3917)
Effective Bridge Preaching, The Monk’s Podcast 147 with Radheshyam Prabhu
3916)
Role of self-care in bhakti, The Monk’s Podcast 145 with Sacinandan Maharaja
3915)
Western perceptions of India & how they affect bhakti outreach, The Monk’s Podcast 144, Yogesvara Prabhu
3914)
Preserving Gaudiya culture by fostering a mood of inclusion, The Monk’s Podcast 143 Madhavananda Prabhu
3913)
Understanding Indian and western attitudes in approaching and practicing Krishna consciousness
3912)
Seeing scripture from different angles – The Monk’s Podcast 142 with Krishna Dharma Prabhu & Cintamani Dhama Mataji
3911)
Presenting bhakti to people with diverse natures and needs, The Monk’s Podcast 141 with Jayananda Prabhu
3910)
How modern education impacts people’s spirituality The Monk’s Podcast 140 with Krishna Kshetra M
3909)
Fear of Missing Out FOMO Why What to do The Monk’s Podcast 139 with Shyamananda Prabhu
3908)
What Maya is and what it isn’t, The Monk’s Podcast 138 with Gopal Hari Prabhu
3907)
Can devotees participate in the puja of the devatas done in their family or community?
3906)
How can we interact with a worshiper of the devatas without criticizing or approving their conceptions?
July 2021
3905)
From postural yoga to devotional yoga, The Monk’s Podcast 137 with Raghunath Prabhu
3904)
Developing an inclusive spiritual community, The Monk’s Podcast 136 with Shikshashtakam Prabhu
3903)
Why we need a Gaudiya Vaishnava eco-theology pt 1, The Monk’s Podcast 135 with Radhika Raman Prabhu
3902)
Amid danger, how can we be watcful without being fearful?
3901)
How can we experience Krishna’s love at our stage?
3900)
How can we become a responsible child of Krishna?
3899)
ISKCON & Ethics 2, Why we need a moral philosophy, The Monk’s Podcast 131 with Rasamandala Prabhu
3898)
How We Devalue Scripture How We Devalue Science – Chaitanya Charan on Wisdom of the Sages podcast
3897)
Healing the mind – Chaitanya Charan on Wisdom of the Sages podcast
3896)
Speaking with sensitivity
3895)
Don’t associate with Mayavadis – what does this mean practically?
3894)
Should scriptural stories be used to draw moral lessons that don’t convey Krishna’s supremacy clearly
3893)
How the Bhagavad-gita offers a world-unifying philosophy, The Monk’s Podcast 130 with Ishvara Krishna Prabhu
3892)
Why we should or should not study the Rasa-lila, The Monk’s Podcast 129 with Garuda Prabhu
3891)
Carl Jung & psychological insights for spiritual growth, The Monks Podcast 128 with Hanumat Preshaka Maharaj
3890)
When we are in anxiety searching for a new job, how can we maintain our spiritual practices?
3889)
How to forgive ourselves if we have made a serious mistake?
3888)
How can we cultivate the mode of goodness when we are puppets of the modes?
3887)
Is it really possible to be happy while you yourself see so much suffering in yours like as well as everywhere around?
3886)
Why ethics matter while practicing bhakti in today’s world, The Monk’s Podcast 127 with Rasamandala Prabhu
3885)
How can we deal with our past conditionings that come in the way of our bhakti – Hindi?
June 2021
3884)
How yoga culminates in bhakti, The Monk’s Podcast 125 with Garuda Prabhu
3883)
Yoga of writing for children
3882)
Mindfulness
3881)
Presenting Krishna’s message to a contemporary audience – 2
3880)
Journaling as a means of transforming the inner world from chaos to order
3879)
Presenting Krishna’s message to a contemporary audience – 1
3878)
Is living in villages better for cultivating goodness and devotion?
3877)
Should we tell people about hellish torment to deter them from breaking the regulative principles?
3876)
From platform speaking to personal coaching – The Monk’s Podcast 124 with Sutapa Prabhu
3875)
When we are unable to follow instructions, what can we do?
3874)
If we have to punish anyone, how can we decide whether we are over-punishing or under-punishing?
3873)
I can’t speak anything about God at my mother’s funeral – should I just remain silent?
3872)
How can we know if a particular guru is an uttama-adhikari or not?
3871)
When we multitask do we miss something as we switch from one thing to the next?
3870)
Balancing obedience to authority & independent thoughtfulness, The Monk’s Podcast 122 with Radheshyam Prabhu
3869)
Growing through love and loss in relationships, The Monk’s Podcast 121 with Garuda Prabhu
3868)
Making bhakti spirituality relevant to today’s social concerns – The Monk’s Podcast 120 with Yogesvara Prabhu
May 2021
3867)
Faith-based organizations, eco-friendly living & ISKCON, The Monk’s Podcast 118 with Gauranga Prabhu
3866)
How do we know when we are accepting ourselves and when we are justifying our weaknesses?
3865)
If we feel empty or lonely despite having enough materially, how to respond to such feelings?
3864)
Role of oral traditions in preserving spiritual culture, The Monk’s Podcast 116 with Bhakti Rasamrita Swami
3863)
Is death as dreadful as we fear?
3862)
Offering to Pankajanghri Prabhu – A pivotal leader, a personal guide
3861)
Journaling in bhakti – The Monk’s Podcast 115 with Candramauli Maharaj
April 2021
3860)
Youth outreach for community-building & world-transformation, The Monk’s Podcast 113 with Radheshyam Prabhu
3859)
Earth Day Special, Vedic wisdom for eco-friendly living, The Monk’s Podcast 112 with Shyamananda Prabhu
3858)
What is the bhakti perspective on feminism – not the man-bashing extreme feminism, but the equal opportunity for women feminism?
3857)
If after striving for a long time in one area, we get only moderate success, what should we do?
3856)
Can food with onion and garlic be offered to Krishna during emergencies?
3855)
How should we respond when sacred characters from our tradition are criticized?
3854)
How can we be responsible in our relationships without becoming attached?
3853)
How are humans intrinsically moral beings?
3852)
Can devotees kill snakes and scorpions?
3851)
Should devotees take vaccines. – A Bhagavad-gita perspective – The Monk’s Podcast 109 with Garuda Prabhu
March 2021
3850)
Can scripture be understood in multiple ways? – The Monk’s Podcast 108 with Radhika Raman Prabhu
3849)
Spirituality and Democracy – The Monk’s Podcast 107 with Shyamananda Prabhu
3848)
The essence of offense and its best antidote – The Monk’s Podcast 106 with Garuda Prabhu
3847)
How scripture comes alive – The Monk’s Podcast 105 with Shyamananda
3846)
The essence of offense and its best antidote – The Monk’s Podcast 106 with Garuda Prabhu
3845)
Why do senior devotees sometimes judgmentally dismiss other devotees because of just one mistake
3844)
If our past karma impels us to wrongdoing, do we get further bad karma?
3843)
Can our past karma force us into wrongdoing – then how do we have free will?
3842)
Does our varna change with time – can we belong to several varnas?
3841)
How can we increase empathy and heart-to-heart interactions in the devotee community
3840)
If we live in a complicated environment that requires us to be duplicitous, how can we prevent duplicity from becoming our habit
3839)
How can we talk about pure devotion without making people discouraged, thinking it is too lofty
3838)
Contemplating Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Wisdom-Quotes — Appearance Day Talk 2021
3837)
If a devotee friend of ours is criticizing other devotees what should we do at that time ?
3836)
Was Abhimanyu killed because he acted without consulting his superiors?
3835)
Should we have doubt only initially while choosing a path and have full faith thereafter
3834)
Does spiritual growth lead to an external transformation along with internal transformation
February 2021
3833)
When Parashurama himself acted outside of his varna, why did he curse Karna for doing the same thing?
3832)
If someone finds our statements about other spiritual leaders unbearable, how can we connect with them?
3831)
How we see it 1, We they mentality & other religious typicals, The Monk’s Podcast 102 with Shyamananda Prabhu
3830)
Can you give examples of settling for tolerable tradeoffs instead of seeking perfect solutions?
3829)
Role of self-care in bhakti – The Monk’s Podcast 101 with Sukhavaha Mataji and Gaur Kumar Prabhu
3828)
Examining mythology 4 – The Monk’s Podcast 100 with Shyamananda Prabhu
3827)
How can we have complete faith?
3826)
Examining mythology 3 – The Monk’s Podcast 99 with Shyamananda Prabhu
3825)
Why do we feel more envy toward some people than toward others?
3824)
During Western outreach, results come very slowly – how to avoid becoming encouraged?
3823)
While doing yoga outreach, how can we ensure that our bhakti focus doesn’t get diluted?
3822)
Examining mythology 2 – The Monk’s Podcast 98 with Shyamananda Prabhu
3821)
The Monk’s Podcast 97 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Examining mythology 1
3820)
How can we understand that we are servants of Krishna – Hindi?
3819)
Sustainable Living and Rural Outreach – The Monk’s Podcast 96 with Sanat Kumar Prabhu
3818)
How can we grow spiritually when we have to serve demanding people – Hindi?
3817)
When we chant, why does our mind get distracted – Hindi?
3816)
When we know that our senses are defective and that Big Pharma can be manipulative, how can we work in or with science without cognitive dissonance
3815)
Our mind is our enemy – how can we control it – Hindi?
3814)
During Western outreach, results come very slowly – how to avoid becoming encouraged?
3813)
How can we avoid becoming disheartened on failing to give up bad habits – Hindi?
3812)
Can thinking positively create a brighter future?
3811)
Why are Prabhupada’s non-confrontational quotes so less known and his confrontational quotes so well-known?
3810)
When our movement quantifies spirituality in terms of targets, won’t this alienate thoughtful new people?
3809)
The Monk’s Podcast 94 with Lokanath Maharaja – Gaudiya bhakti, Maharashtrian bhakti, universal bhakti
3808)
What can we do when we feel emotions that we aren’t meant to feel?
January 2021
3807)
How can humility go along with self-respect?
3806)
If we label people positively – you are specially talented – can that help people grow?
3805)
If our guides speak unpalatably to us and we can’t express ourselves to them what can we do?
3804)
Does free will exist when one is suffering from bipolar disorder?
3803)
If someone commits suicide, can that be caused by their karma?
3802)
If we are extroverts how can we be invisible while doing our services?
3801)
The Monk’s Podcast 92 with Garuda Prabhu – Relationship is the essential purpose of guru-tattva
3800)
The Monk’s Podcast 91 with Giriraj Maharaj – End-of-life care and bhakti wisdom
3799)
The Monk’s Podcast 90 with Garuda Prabhu – Please criticize me – I want to grow
3798)
The Monk’s Podcast 88 with Kaustubha Prabhu – Kaustubha P Sharing bhakti in contemporary America
December 2020
3797)
The Monk’s Podcast 84 with Madhavananda Prabhu – From Sentimentality to Spirituality
3796)
The Monk’s Podcast 83 with Shyamananda – Social Justice and Spiritual Wisdom 2 – Caste System Analyzed
3795)
The Monk’s Podcast 82 with Shyamananda – Animals and their place in an eco-friendly world
3794)
The Monk’s Podcast 81 with Shyamananda – Social Justice and Spiritual wisdom 1
3793)
History of ISKCON and HH Radhanath Maharaj contribution – Hindi
November 2020
3792)
The Monk’s Podcast 43 with Braja Bihari Prabhu – How to disagree without being disagreeable
3791)
The Monk’s Podcast 55 with Garuda Prabhu – Does love exist in the material world?
3790)
If someone has been abused, can the victim just forgive the abuser?
3789)
The Monk’s Podcast 51 with Bhanu Maharaj – Why science and scripture see reality differently
3788)
The Monk’s Podcast 62 with Madhavananda Prabhu – Conspiracy theories
3787)
The Monk’s Podcast 65 with Govinda Prabhu – Centralization, Decentralization and Dharma
3786)
The Monk’s Podcast 56 with Bhakti Vasudeva Maharaj – Taking bhakti wisdom into the management world
3785)
The Monk’s Podcast 77 with Govinda Prabhu – Racism – what it is, what it isn’t and how to deal with it?
3784)
While the world slept …
3783)
The Monk’s Podcast 78 with Krishna Kshetra Maharaj – Churning the Bhagavatam – Dashavatara 2 – Kurma
3782)
What to do when in a relationship that we can neither tolerate nor retaliate?
3781)
How can we distribute our time between hearing and chanting?
3780)
How can we increase our determination for waking up in the morning?
3779)
As we can’t know for sure what are principles and what details, why not just follow the tradition as it is, without even attempting to change anything?
3778)
How does prayer affect karma?
3777)
How the ritual and the spiritual interrelate
3776)
If others pressure us into doing more than our capacity, what can we do?
3775)
Journaling for Inner Growth
October 2020
3774)
Should we gratify our desires so that we don’t carry our desires to the next life?
3773)
If Krishna is merciful, he takes everything away from us – how to not become fearful on hearing this statement?
3772)
Why do we need to transcend the mode of goodness?
3771)
When the modes interrupt our bhakti practice, how can uninterrupted bhakti practice take us beyond the modes?
3770)
How do the modes influence our free will and our values?
3769)
Despite your conservative training how did you become so accommodating?
3768)
Is karma real?
3767)
As soon as the corona pandemic started, the temples shut down and only hospitals offered relief. Isn’t it better that we fund medical research?
3766)
Is spirituality the only way to overcome bad habits?
3765)
The Monk’s Podcast 76 with Yogesvara Prabhu – Holocaust, karma and compassion
3764)
The Monk’s Podcast 75 with Shyamananda – How protests can point to a higher consciousness
September 2020
3763)
The Monk’s Podcast 72 with Krishna Kshetra Maharaj – Churning the Bhagavatam – Dashavatara 1 – Matsya
3762)
The Monk’s Podcast 69 with Braja Bihari Prabhu – Guidance or Independence – How to make responsible decisions
3761)
Reconciling science and scripture 2- QA
3760)
Reconciling science and scripture 1 – talk and QA
3759)
The Monk’s Podcast 67 with Gauranga Prabhu – Intellectuals in bhakti @ Bhaktivendanta Research Center
3758)
Is there any scientific proof of the existence of higher and lower planetary systems?
3757)
Amidst conflicts, how can we put aside our ego and accept responsibility for the problem?
3756)
How can we serve cooperatively with devotees without aggravating mutual conflicts?
3755)
Did God help Gajendra only when he stopped helping himself?
3754)
If a child was abused and God didn’t answer their prayers for protection, how can we help them develop faith now?
3753)
The Monk’s Podcast 66 with Devamrita Maharaja – Pandemic – Reimagining the human project
3752)
The Monk’s Podcast 64 with Krishna Abhishek Prabhu – How Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s political positioning maximized his outreach
3751)
The Monk’s Podcast 63 with Pyari Mohan Prabhu and Brahmatirtha Prabhu – Humor in Krishna consciousness
3750)
Is the idea of manifesting an external reality by inner contemplation a New Age notion or is it grounded in philosophical truth?
3749)
The Monk’s Podcast 61 with Yogesvara Prabhu – Is spirituality anti-science?
3748)
The Monk’s Podcast 60 with Anuttama Prabhu and Rambhoru Mataji – Emotional challenges on the devotional path
3747)
The Monk’s Podcast 59 with Govinda Prabhu – Preserving dharma while practicing bhakti
3746)
The Monk’s Podcast 58 with Krishna Kshetra Maharaj – Using our imagination in Krishna’s service
August 2020
3745)
The Monk’s Podcast 57 with Caru Prabhu – Building a seeker-friendly culture
3744)
In being liberal with others, isn’t there a danger that we may become liberal with ourselves too?
3743)
How to deal with learned devotees who lack empathy?
3742)
How can we kill the demons in our heart by hearing about the killing of the corresponding demons in Krishna lila?
3741)
How can we develop relationships with those whose services are different from ours?
3740)
How can children be helped to remember that Krishna protects everyone?
3739)
Isnt it ego to think that a service won’t happen without us?
3738)
The Monk’s Podcast 54 with Navina Nirada Prabhu – Harmony in a multi-guru movement
3737)
When Bhakti Charu Maharaj went to the US to serve Krishna, why was he not protected?
3736)
How can we deal with doubts that come from our bad experiences with our previous spiritual teachers?
3735)
Prabhupada: A timeless teacher for troubled times
3734)
The Monk’s Podcast 53 with Krishna Abishek Prabhu – Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s inclusive presentation of bhakti
3733)
The Monk’s Podcast 52 with Deva Madhava – How to share the Krishna conception of God in today’s world
3732)
The Monk’s Podcast 50 with Yogeshvara Prabhu – How to spiritualize our profession
3731)
The Monk’s Podcast 49 with Bhakti Vinoda Swami – Analyzing Indian outreach
3730)
The Monk’s Podcast 48 with Bhakti Vinoda Swami – The Indian outreach landscape
3729)
The Monk’s Podcast 47 with Madhavananda Prabhu – Who exactly is an ISKCON member
3728)
The Monk’s Podcast 46 with Anuttama Prabhu – How we can outgrow our cultish image
3727)
The Monk’s Podcast 45 with Bhakti Rasamrita Swami Maharaj – Is bhakti pro-modern or anti-modern
3726)
The Monk’s Podcast 44 with Bhakti Purushottam Maharaj – ISKCON Tribal Care
3725)
The Monk’s Podcast 42 with Srinandanandan Prabhu – Protecting dharma – Threats and Opportunities
3724)
The Monk’s Podcast 41 with Garuda Prabhu – The Nectar of Writing for Krishna
3723)
The Monk’s Podcast 40 with Vedasara Prabhu – Sharing spirituality in American colleges
July 2020
3722)
The Monk’s Podcast 39 with Madhavananda Prabhu – Nourishing our individuality within a bhakti institution
3721)
The Monk’s Podcast 38 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Terrorism – Why, What to do?
3720)
The Monk’s Podcast 37 with Hari Parshad Prabhu – Intellectual diversity in scriptural understanding
3719)
The Monk’s Podcast 36 with Anuttama Prabhu – How to engage with the world?
3718)
The Monk’s Podcast 35 with Krishna Kshetra Swami – The dialogue between faith and doubt
3717)
How can we decide the upper limit of tolerance?
3716)
Krishna told Arjuna to kill but Narada told Mrigari to not kill?
3715)
The Monk’s Podcast 34 with Shyamananda Prabhu – War – A Spiritual Perspective
3714)
During the moment of sudden difficulty, how can we think positively at that time?
3713)
The Monk’s Podcast 33 with Anuttama Prabhu – Going beyond the we-they mentality
3712)
Why do some people find meaning in things and others don’t?
3711)
How can we deal with anger caused by people who have hurt us?
3710)
The Monk’s Podcast 32 with Bhakti Rasamrita Maharaj – Sensitivity in presenting spiritual wisdom
3709)
The Monk’s Podcast 31 with Shyamananda Prabhu – The Ugly Rainbow of Consumerism 2
3708)
Will hearing regularly from few devotees not broaden our understanding of bhakti – do we need to hear from many devotees?
3707)
Is spirituality meant to make us feel bad about ourselves in the name of humility?
3706)
The wealth of emotional health
June 2020
3705)
Does every thought in our mind result from something we have done in the past?
3704)
The Monk’s Podcast 30 with Hrdayananda Goswami – Appreciating Krishna consciousness in historical context
3703)
When people today are so untrustworthy how can we develop relationships?
3702)
The Monk’s Podcast 29 with Shyamananda Prabhu – The Ugly Rainbow of Consumerism 1
3701)
If work is worship is a butcher also worshiping by slaughtering animals?
3700)
If someone puts in the same efforts as me but gets better results, how to avoid envy?
3699)
To protect ourselves, we sometimes become insensitive to others – how to avoid?
3698)
How can we help a non-Krishna conscious person overcome depression?
3697)
The Monk’s Podcast 28 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Emotional health and spiritual growth
3696)
QA on racism Q 10 How do we as spiritualists manifest empathy (para-dukha-dukhi)?
3695)
The Monk’s Podcast 27 with Mahatma Prabhu – Do devotees need to take care of their emotional health?
3694)
If we label as fault-finders those who constantly find faults with others, are we ourselves indulging in fault-finding?
3693)
QA on racism Q 9 Is racial injustice caused by past karma?
3692)
The Monk’s Podcast 26 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Monasticism – Why and how
3691)
QA on racism Q 8 How do we balance knowing that we are not the bady and processing bodily pains?
3690)
The Monk’s Podcast 25 with Bhakti Rasamrita Maharaj – Secularism and bhakti
3689)
The Monk’s Podcast 24 with Deva Madhava Prabhu – Racism, social justice and bhakti
3688)
QA on racism Q 7 When animals of one group don’t include animals from another group, is that racism?
3687)
The Monk’s Padcast 23 with Akhanda dhi Prabhu – What our tradition can offer to the science-spirituality discussion
3686)
QA on racism Q 6 Why is racism seen in humans, but not in animals?
3685)
The Monk’s Podcast 22 with Bhaktimarga Maharaj – How to make our outreach more relevant
3684)
QA on racism Q 5 What does seeing everyone equally mean practically?
3683)
The Monk’s Podcast 21 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Racism won’t die, racism must die
3682)
QA on racism Q 4 Are varna and ashrama the only two hierarchies present in nature?
3681)
QA on racism Q 3 Do people of particular skin colors belong to particular castes?
3680)
QA on racism Q 2 Does racism exist because of the caste system?
3679)
The Monk’s Podcast 20 with Shyamananda Prabhu – How to see failure positively
3678)
QA on racism Q 1 From a spiritual perspective, why does racism exist?
3677)
How can we overcome envy?
3676)
The Monk’s Podcast 19 with Deva Madhava Prabhu – Understanding the Western Mind
3675)
The Monk’s Podcast 18 with Kalakantha Prabhu – Challenges in Western outreach
3674)
How do we give up bad habits?
3673)
The Monk’s Podcast 17 with Brahmatirtha Prabhu – Intellectual outreach
3672)
Does becoming spiritual mean becoming unemotional – won’t that make our life flat?
3671)
The Monk’s Padcast 16 with Jayadvaita Swami – Writing for Krishna
3670)
The Monk’s Podcast -Social Justice and Spiritual wisdom
3669)
The Monk’s Podcast 14 with Shyamananda Prabhu – What is work meant for – part 1
3668)
The Monk’s Podcast 13 with Bhakti Rasamrita Maharaj – Can we be spiritual but not religious
May 2020
3667)
The Monk’s Podcast 12 – Socialism, Capitalism and the Search for Identity Part 2
3666)
The Monks Podcast 12 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Capitalism Communism and Spirituality – part 2
3665)
The Monk’s Podcast 10 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Where is God amid crisis
3664)
The Monk’s Podcast 9 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Is the world a stage
3663)
The Monk’s Podcast 8 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Rituals – what they are and why they matter
3662)
The Monk’s Podcast 7 with Bhakti Rasamrita Swami – Environmentalism and Bhakti
3661)
Can we see adversities like the corona crisis as blessings?
3660)
The Monk’s Podcast 6 with Shyamananda Prabhu and Hari Vamsa Prabhu – Finding inner anchor amid outer storms
3659)
The Monk’s Podcast 5 with Shyamananda Prabhu- Living in the present – The bhakti-yoga way
3658)
The Monk’s Podcast 4 with Bhakti Rasamrita Maharaj – Veganism and bhakti
3657)
The Monk’s Podcast 3 with Shyamananda Prabhu and Hari Vamsa Prabhu – Eco-Friendly and Anthropo-Friendly
3656)
The Monk’s Podcast 2 with Shyamananda Prabhu and Hari Vamsa Prabhu – Karma-and-Corona
3655)
The Monk’s Podcast 1 with Shyamananda Prabhu – Corona crisis and unnatural living
3654)
QA with youth – Coping with corona crisis
3653)
Remembrance and guidance – the essence of devotion
3652)
The corona crisis What nature is telling us about human nature
3651)
Should devotees believe conspiracy theories about say the origin of the corona virus?
3650)
I like to talk about Krishna and feel nourished by speaking Krishna-katha, do I have a pure devotee syndrome – what should I do?
3649)
If we have prayed to Krishna once, should we repeat that prayer regularly?
3648)
If we hear blasphemy of devotees, scripture recommends extreme measures – how are these measures to be understood?
3647)
Should we focus only on doing one thing at a time and not even do devotional things in parallel with physical activities such as walking
3646)
If a non-devotee accidentally helps a pure devotee in acute need, is that called devotional service?
3645)
If we get different instructions from different authorities, which include our spiritual master, what should we do?
3644)
If our life is devoted to the service of Krishna, what’s wrong with praying for bodily protection?
3643)
When Prahlad is a pure devotee, why does he offer prayers for bodily protection in Narasimha kavacha mantras?
3642)
Should I participate in animal testing for developing vaccines to pandemics?
April 2020
3641)
Isn’t the Gita’s instruction to remain equipoised seem too idealistic?
3640)
How can we become more contemplative in daily life?
3639)
If we can’t move to eco-friendly farms, what can we do practically to live more eco-friendly?
3638)
If we take milk from dairy farms, do we get the karma?
3637)
How can an organization balance between maintaining structure and providing independence to its members?
3636)
Even when we know that worldly pleasures are temporary, why do we still crave for it?
3635)
When we are far away from the standards needed to attain the spiritual world, what is our hope?
3634)
When we see that devotees aren’t being cared for, how can we see it positively and what can we do about it?
3633)
On seeing other devotees’ grow spiritually, how can we avoid feeling bad that we are spiritually stagnating?
3632)
When Lord Chaitanya destroys demonic mentality, not demons, why did the person who threatened devotees constructing the Juhu temple die?
3631)
Seeking Karuna Amidst Corona seminar part 3
3630)
Seeking Karuna Amidst Corona seminar part 2
March 2020
3629)
Seeking Karuna Amidst Corona seminar part 1
3628)
How to see the current Corona Crisis from a spiritual perspective
3627)
Where is Gods karuna in todays Corona
3626)
How to surrender to Krishna amid the corona virus crisis
3625)
How can we know if we are sincere?
3624)
If our faith is attacked internally or externally, what should we do?
3623)
How can we balance body, mind and consciousness?
February 2020
3622)
When different paths have stark differences how can all paths be valid and how can we explain our path offers something more?
3621)
Which mirror can show us the soul?
3620)
Why do we associate religion with spirituality – are communists really anti-God?
3619)
Lord Chaitanya said that Bible and Koran are full of faults?
3618)
How can we overcome envy?
3617)
If an equal devotee becomes more advanced, how can we avoid envy?
3616)
How can an introvert practice bhakti when it is so social and public?
3615)
Can we choose whichever path we prefer – karma, jnana or bhakti?
3614)
How can we keep our emtions steady amid varying situations?
3613)
Does karma continue perpetually because we hurt others and they hurt us back as a reaction again and again?
January 2020
3612)
How can we use technology in a way that harmonizes with our spirituality?
3611)
Is ISKCON’s institutionalized structure an import from Christianity?
3610)
Why do some bad habits stay on despite our devotional practice – how to deal with them?
December 2019
3609)
What is the best way to study shastra in a group with devotees?
3608)
Is any part of Krishna consciousness not practical – what does being practical in our preaching mean?
3607)
If we have a miscarriage, is it Krishna’s will to not fulfill our material desire for a child?
3606)
What is the role of attachment or detachment in householder life?
3605)
Will some future event dramatically increase the number of devotees in the world?
3604)
If we start stagnating in our life, how can we get out of that rut?
3603)
How can we know if worldly desires come from our heart or our mind – What happens if such desires come while chanting?
3602)
How can we overcome the faultfinding tendency?
November 2019
3601)
Why can some people readily accept Krishna’s supremacy and some can’t?
3600)
Should we just accept destiny or keep trying till we succeed?
3599)
How can we heal from the loss of a loved one?
3598)
Should we control our desires or should we follow our curiosity?
3597)
When we are criticized, is defending ourselves detrimental for our bhakti?
3596)
Why do we feel insecurity?
3595)
How to stop overthinking -Attribute, Analyze, Anchor, Act
3594)
How can we deal with life’s dualities?
3593)
How can we deal with angry people?
3592)
A waste-free mind for a waste-free world
3591)
How to think effectively – ACTS acronym
3590)
Isn’t it useless to share spirituality with people who have no spiritual interest?
October 2019
3589)
The complex relationship between appearance and substance in spiritual life
3588)
How do we distinguish between material anxiety and spiritual anxiety?
3587)
Does everything in bhakti need to fall in the nine limbs of bhakti?
3586)
How to become resilient
3585)
Why the self is missing in the selfie
3584)
If our love is finite, how can it help us reach the infinite?
3583)
Just as people become obsessed with their mundane heroes, can we become obsessed with our spiritual heroes?
3582)
How the infinite manifests in the finite – Various religious conceptions
3581)
What can we do to protect ourselves from ever sinking to the level of being strengthless and faithless?
3580)
Rise above the ego’s need to be right by focusing on devotional purpose
3579)
If a tragedy makes us forget everything good and makes us do bad things, what can we do?
3578)
Change your picture of the world and of God from low resolution to high resolution
3577)
How devotion transcends the caste system and other institutional hierarchies
3576)
How can we help someone who is in coma?
3575)
How can we connect with people during outreach while staying detached from the world’s illusions?
3574)
How our strength and our faith are integrated in bhakti
3573)
From your place, at your pace, access God’s grace
3572)
How to stop overthinking – Attribute, Analyze, Anchor, Act
3571)
Arjuna had Krishna’s constant guidance – how can we be guided?
3570)
How God helps those who help themselves – Bhakti Basics explained
3569)
How can we realize that we are souls?
3568)
Science and Spirituality – From the study of matter to the study of what matters
3567)
Mainstream media credibility crisis – A spiritual perspective
3566)
How to use our free will properly – QA with children
3565)
The three modes and the search for happiness
September 2019
3564)
How devotion is like a good habit – and how it is more than a good habit
3563)
Why settle for less – why not keep seeking till we find the best?
3562)
How can we know whether we are succeeding or failling in bhakti?
3561)
How can we find which work bests suits our nature?
3560)
What are our movement’s core values?
3559)
Should we be liberal while introducing people to bhakti and conservative letter?
3558)
When facing serious problems, should we first focus on solving problems and then practice bhakti?
3557)
Should a devotee profession try to become a CEO to demonstrate how devotees can be materially successful too?
3556)
If we can’t accept people where they are, what can we do?
3555)
How to decide what to do
3554)
Can you explain the various stages in chanting – namaprada, namabhasa, shudda-nama?
3553)
If we learn to depend on mentors, but then they aren’t available when needed, what can we do?
3552)
If someone is depressed and suicidal, how can we help them?
3551)
How can we de-stress ourselves in today’s high-pressure work environment?
3550)
How do we deal with fear of rejection?
3549)
Even after knowing eternal pleasures why do we keep chasing temporary pleasures?
3548)
How can we practically keep our intention above our emotion?
3547)
When people are distressed, should we think philosophically or should we just help them?
3546)
3 Metaphors for Effective Parenting
3545)
While being in family life how can we be detached?
3544)
What is the role of vairagya in grihastha life?
3543)
Staying steadfast amid confusing situations
3542)
Why do bad things happen to good people – QA
3541)
What can we do when we see terrible things happening in the world?
3540)
If the temple atmosphere is conflict-filled, should we practice bhakti at home?
3539)
How are the impressions removed by practicing bhakti?
3538)
When our material responsibilities impede our spiritual growth, what can we do?
3537)
What is the role of ritualistic activities in bhakti – should we continue the rituals from our family traditions?
3536)
From the mind to the heart – Practicing bhakti with our mind and without it too
3535)
How can we avoid over-endeavoring in our service at the cost of our devotion?
3534)
How can we change the chain of thoughts in our mind?
3533)
How to see God’s presence in the world – in things, in events and in our actions
3532)
What’s the most effective way to combat anger?
3531)
How to see old truths with new eyes
3530)
How to free our free will
3529)
If some other temple has better association, should we leave our temple and go there?
3528)
How can we draw practical lessons from scripture?
August 2019
3527)
How devotion and dedication can transform our life into an adventure
3526)
Most of my fears don’t actualize, but some do – how can we be prepared without becoming fearful?
3525)
Negative and positive thinking in spiritual life
3524)
Are some people genetically short-tempered?
3523)
If others constantly find fault with us, what can we do?
3522)
Understanding human nature 1 – Two levels of innateness
3521)
Understanding the mind QA
3520)
How can we continue our spiritual practice when we get no taste?
3519)
If people aren’t ready to take the giant leap of faith to come to Krishna, how can we help them?
3518)
When we see some devotee doing something wrong, what should we do?
3517)
Being mindful of public perception in bhakti practice and outreach
3516)
Harmonizing conservative and liberal approaches in bhakti
3515)
If we had been initiated by some other guru, would we have been given the same instruction as from our initiating guru – how exactly does Krishna’s instruction come through the guru?
3514)
Can we see the inner seat of consciousness beyond the raw sensation of awareness?
3513)
What is the hard problem of consciousness?
3512)
How to not be disturbed by disturbances – Brahmachari class with QA
3511)
Does bhakti make devotees just pray and not work?
3510)
Staying stable in unstable situations – Samarpan brahmachari class – Hindi
3509)
How does jnana-yoga progress to dhyana-yoga?
3508)
How our home in this world can take us to our home beyond this world
3507)
Why does the Left appeal to so many people – how can it have any spiritual promise?
3506)
Should we not have children because the earth is overburdened with too many humans?
3505)
My father committed suicide and I am feeling terrible – what can I do?
3504)
How can we ensure that we aren’t limited by functional vision when things are functioning well?
3503)
What happens when society rejects God
3502)
Making difficult decisions – Hindi
3501)
What cricket can teach you about life – Hindi
3500)
Can morality be derived from science – does sociobiology fit that bill?
July 2019
3499)
If something in our movement is managerially seriously wrong, should we consider what Srila Prabhupada wanted and whether we are qualified to bring about a change?
3498)
If someone is managerially incompetent or immoral, can their continuance in power be justified by saying that it is Krishna’s plan?
3497)
How are yajna, dana and tapa relevant in today’s world?
3496)
Develop the vision that nurtures devotion
3495)
Are all spiritual explanations of life’s sufferings just mental adjustments?
3494)
Aren’t we trivializing initiation by equating the promises of initiation with the promises of hearing Krishna’s pastimes?
3493)
When initiation frees us from all sins, why do initiated devotes suffer?
3492)
When you say that you are struggling with selfish desires, what do you mean?
3491)
When spiritual growth requires faith, what can we do if doubts keep coming?
3490)
When Krishna doesn’t reciprocate, how can we avoid becoming cynical?
3489)
What is the easiest way to control our emotions?
3488)
Bridging the gap between what we are and what we want to be
3487)
Going back to Godhead 3 – How to offer our consciousness to Krishna
3486)
Going back to godhead 2 – We are unqualified, but not disqualified
3485)
Going back to godhead 1 – Three ways to cultivate spiritual desire – RAP acronym
June 2019
3484)
Should devotees give up all pious religious duties and focus only on bhakti?
3483)
Detachment doesn’t make us hard-hearted, attachment does – Learning from Kaikeyi
3482)
On attaining success, how can we be happy without becoming proud?
3481)
Do actions always speak louder than words?
3480)
Overcoming discouragement 3 – Tap your power by opening a new TAB
3479)
Overcoming discouragement 2 – Empower yourself with gratitude
3478)
Overcoming discouragement 1 – Why we feel discouraged
3477)
Go beyond comfortable happiness
3476)
Just as our strengths are manifestations for a higher being, are our weaknesses manifestations of some being?
3475)
How strengths become weaknesses and weaknesses become strengths – Learning from Ravana and Vibhishana
3474)
Is it possible to be constantly on guard against temptation?
3473)
If someone hurts us repeatedly, is that because of our past karma?
3472)
If someone is facing with a life-threatening disease, how can we explain to them that life has a higher purpose?
3471)
If someone has been betrayed repeatedly and has become cynical, how can they recover?
3470)
How may we be cynical in our relationship with Krishna?
3469)
How to live at the junction of order and chaos – Learning from Dasharatha’s destiny
3468)
If we keep doing something that we had resolved to give up, what to do?
3467)
How temptation attacks visibly and invisibly – Lessons from Indrajita’s attack on Rama-Lakshmana
3466)
For chanting, why are Tulsi beads recommended?
3465)
Relationships flourish by sharing, not by dominating – Rama Lakshmana interactions
3464)
Why spiritual life matters – Talk to teenagers
3463)
Head in the sky, feet on the ground – balancing our aspirations with our actions
3462)
How do we realize that Krishna consciousness is like 5 million dollars and worldly things are like 5 dollars
3461)
From individualism to individuality – Are people innately good or innately bad?
3460)
Understanding the six stages of anartha nivrutti or inner purification – 2
3459)
Understanding the six stages of anartha nivrutti or inner purification – 1
3458)
Perfectionism is a serial killer in high heels
3457)
How can we work with difficult people?
3456)
Relationships flourish by sharing, not by dominating – Rama Lakshmana interactions
3455)
7 purposes of ISKCON explained
3454)
How can we suffer insufferable people?
3453)
How can we be humble without appearing weak?
3452)
How can we balance between overthinking about other people’s actions and being thoughtful?
3451)
How can living in the present be reconciled with having an optimistic attitude?
3450)
Maintaining faith on the spiritual path 1 – Bhakti is not all-or-nothing
3449)
For self-control, should we just focus on chosing our desires or should we also chose our situations?
May 2019
3448)
TRUST acronym for strengthening relationships
3447)
Does spirituality cure depression or manage depression?
3446)
Our worst enemy is inside us – and so is our best friend – Analyze, Confront, Empower
3445)
Dealing with discouragement through 3 Es: Expansion, Elevation and Execution
3444)
How to become consistent – AIR acronym
3443)
3 understandings of humility for strengthening our relationships
3442)
Does emotional pain indicate something wrong that needs fixing or should it just be tolerated
3441)
How can we help those who can’t put past bad things in perspective?
3440)
How to avoid gossiping
3439)
Can we love ourselves? – HOPE acronym
3438)
Do great devotees like Prahlad just focus on Krishna and not bother about problems at all?
3437)
Does bhakti become more and more complicated as we go into the details?
3436)
How can we avoid getting infected with material desires because of the triangularity of desires?
3435)
How can we ensure that our children follow our culture?
3434)
Developing deeper relationships – CARE acronym
3433)
How do we balance not repressing ourselves and avoiding things unfavorable to Krishna consciousness
3432)
Tap your inner power – TAB acronym with Srila Prabhupada’s example
3431)
When analyzing issues, how do we know whether we are putting them in the right context such as material or spiritual?
3430)
When nothing works, we surrender to Krishna – how can we surrender to him in the beginning itself?
3429)
QA on mindfulness at South Illinois University 2019 Spring
April 2019
3428)
Hold your plans lightly, not tightly
3427)
Sentimentality Sensitivity Spirituality
3426)
Centering our life on Krishna – not on the intellectual, the psychological, the social or the cultural
3425)
Nonviolence in speech – Be sensitive and sensible
3424)
How to deal with distress through devotion
3423)
Inner Change – 3 reasons why changing ourselves is tough and 6 ways to make it easier
3422)
QA with teenagers at ISKCON Silicon Valley 2019
3421)
Understanding our outer world, our inner world and how to direct them
3420)
Confront how bad we can be to become how good we can be
3419)
Thinking about thinking – how our thoughts can harm us or help us
3418)
How to become more personal in our dealings
3417)
Self-discipline or self-discovery – Charting our inner journey
3416)
How to avoid jumping to conclusions – DAS acronym
3415)
Is parents wanting their children to become Krishna conscious a sign of dependence, independence or interdependence?
March 2019
3414)
The karma confusion – are our problems due to our present actions or past actions?
3413)
How to have loving exchanges 4 – Cultivating intimacy
3412)
How to have loving exchanges 3 – Cultivating sensitivity
3411)
How to have loving exchanges 2 – Cultivating non-judgmentality
3410)
How to have loving exchanges 1 – Understanding frame of reference
3409)
Some thoughts on guru tattva and discipleship
3408)
From Nomad to Pilgrim – Infusing our life with purpose and meaning
3407)
Krishna consciousness is to feel the presence of Krishna in his absence
3406)
If someone imposes something on us because of their ego or authority, what can we do?
3405)
Don’t we need to look at people’s group identity, as when interacting with people from other organizations?
3404)
The Problem of Pain – Materialistic, Abrahamic and Dharmic explanations
3403)
How spiritual knowledge helps us see opportunity in adversity
3402)
Religion and parenting – A Hindu perspective
3401)
Controlling the mind through yoga and bhakti – similarities and differences Gita 06.21
3400)
God helps those who help themselves
3399)
Should devotees move beyond demonizing scientists?
3398)
How to be intelligent in dealing with people – Ramayana wisdom
3397)
Does human nature always give fear precedence over faith?
3396)
Is living in the present without living for Krishna helpful?
3395)
Is it ok for devotees to give motivational classes without mentioning Krishna at all?
3394)
QA session in Melbourne 2019
3393)
Why is it so difficult to step back from a dramatic position that we have publically taken – is it because of ego?
3392)
If aspiring disciples feel that they can’t get their guru’s association, what can we tell them?
3391)
How can a hunter-devotee justify that he is simply doing the profession ordained by past karma – can a terrorist argue the same way?
3390)
When life doesn’t make sense – Karma, time and free will
3389)
When time becomes unfavorable, don’t become unfavorable to Krishna
3388)
From insecurity to inner security
3387)
Detachment is not absence of emotion, it is absence of emotional dependence
3386)
What is Spirituality – Questions and Answers
February 2019
3385)
How intelligence and devotion interact on the spiritual path – 3 reflections
3384)
Technology, Psychology, Spirituality
3383)
Understanding what is contextual and what central in scripture
3382)
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura’s three quotes on preaching – Purpose, perspective, process
3381)
Why changing ourselves is so difficult – and how to make it easier
3380)
From love of power to power of love
3379)
Humility, audacity and purity in bhakti
3378)
Does focusing on Krishna require that we always be in the mode of goodness?
3377)
When our prayers are unanswered
3376)
How to deal with uncomfortable emotions – 5 Ds
3375)
Is always speaking the truth practical?
3374)
How to stay spiritually strong amidst material difficulties
3373)
Seek not a stormless sea, seek an unsinkable ship
3372)
Does the existence of beauty prove the existence of God?
3371)
If someone wants us to micro-control their lives, what should we do?
3370)
What determines whether we learn by intelligence or by experience?
3369)
Making sense of fantastic descriptions in scripture
3368)
Does seeking forgiveness for offending others free us from bad karma?
3367)
How can we know when we are renouncing because of spiritual attraction and when because of material aversion?
3366)
If my family strongly opposes some devotional principles such as not eating onion-garlic, what should I do?
3365)
The mind is a monkey, don’t let it make you a donkey – Hindi
3364)
How to increase faith
3363)
History of bhakti tradition over 5000 years
3362)
How to channel the energy of anger – Hindi
3361)
How to glorify Krishna in all walks of our life – Hindi
3360)
BTG distribution marathon inauguration talk – SHARE acronym – Hindi
3359)
Determining our dharma in brahmachari life – Hindi
3358)
To become responsible, learn also when to not take responsibility
3357)
Stay focused on Krishna in scriptural study, relationships and outreach – Hindi
3356)
How can we avoid feeling insecure if our service is not recognized?
3355)
Three reflections on our mind-body mechanism Misidentification Utilization Purification – Hindi
3354)
Don’t give the mind power of attorney blindly – Hindi
3353)
In bhakti, we don’t just make an offering – we are ourselves the offering
3352)
Shouldn’t the desire for sense gratification go down in those who are advancing in Krishna consciousness?
January 2019
3351)
The sanctity of relationships
3350)
Strung by the tongue
3349)
Appreciating the nuances of words and communicating effectively
3348)
Intelligence means to place things in the most constructive context – Hindi
3347)
Love selflessly, not headlessly – Hindi
3346)
Using Extraordinary Abilities in Devotional Service
December 2018
3345)
Does surrender come from devotion or devotion come from surrender?
3344)
If we are good at something that we do for our career, how can we bring Krishna into it?
3343)
If we stay in our comfort zone while doing service, how will we grow?
3342)
Is satisfaction an austerity of the mind or it is an illusion that traps us?
3341)
How can we persevere amidst distractions?
3340)
If we resolve to wake up at a particular time and wake up at that time without an alarm, is that due to our subconscious mind?
3339)
How can motivate us to move on in our spiritual life – can the saints’ realizations inspire – don’t we need our own experiences?
3338)
If someone doesn’t do their allotted service properly, how can we deal with the resulting anger?
3337)
No problem is too big for God – or too small – Hindi
3336)
Appreciating Krishna’s attractiveness
3335)
When advice works and when vice works – 2
3334)
When advice works and when vice works – 1
3333)
How to immigrate to the spiritual world – Hindi
3332)
While struggling with conditionings how can we avoid the extremes of becoming hopeless and becoming shameless?
3331)
Do we make destiny or does destiny make us? – Marathi
3330)
Analyzing Postmodernism – Tough Questions, Real Answers
3329)
How to improve our intelligence for managing our emotions and actions – Hindi
3328)
Responsible Relationships 4 – Look up before you look around
3327)
GURUDEVA acronym – Vyasa-puja offering to HH Radhanath Maharaj
3326)
Responsible Relationships 3 – Focus on your values, not on others’ behaviour
3325)
Responsible Relationships 2 – Make judgments, but don’t be judgmental
3324)
How can we share bhakti wisdom in the world today?
3323)
Responsible relationships 1 – Hurt people hurt people
3322)
Emotionally healthy spirituality in the renounced order
3321)
If we can’t chant attentively, is it better to chant less with greater attention?
3320)
Dealing with faultfinding mentality – 3 reflections
3319)
Understanding how God is equal even when he seems partial
3318)
How to present spiritual principles amidst changing times
3317)
Destiny – Do we make it or does it make us?
3316)
How do we deal with fear of success because after success, failure will come?
November 2018
3315)
For devotees practicing bhakti in the West, is it better to educate our children in India or in the West?
3314)
Intelligence is seen not just through aptitude but also through activity
3313)
How to keep our spiritual life fresh
3312)
Can’t thinking why something bad has happened help us to better address the situation?
3311)
The theatrical Krishna takes us to the transcendental Krishna
3310)
The Spiritual Significance of Thanksgiving – Occasion, Expression, Intention
3309)
Who is a leader? – LEAD acronym
3308)
From Stress Management to Self Management
3307)
Does Krishna have plans only for his pure devotees?
3306)
The heart of yoga is yoga of the heart
3305)
How can we ensure that our conscience deters us but doesn’t discourage us?
3304)
How can we use anger constructively in parenting?
3303)
ACE your life with gratitude
3302)
4 principles to get past our past – PAST – Positivity, Association, Spirituality and Time
3301)
3 principles for inner empowerment – Intelligence, Identification, Intention
3300)
If someone gets a special service that we long for, how can we see that devotionally?
3299)
The living bhakti tradition – a museum or a garden?
3298)
When spiritual life seems impractical – because of body, family, society and job
3297)
How can we clear our subconscious mind?
3296)
Does the spiritual world really exist? – SPIRIT acronym
3295)
Appreciating life’s ARC – Achievements, Relationships, Consciousness
3294)
Can a devotee scientist do animal testing for professional research?
3293)
Pride takes us on a perilous ride
3292)
Should we fight for our service or should we cooperate?
3291)
When we feel that we can’t do something, how can we know that our mind is not keeping us in comfort zone?
3290)
If our bhakti practice is not removing our conditionings, how to avoid being discouraged?
3289)
How may we be misled by externals when seeking a spiritual guide?
3288)
Can prayer change our karma?
3287)
Even God can’t help those who don’t want to be helped – Dhritarashtra’s physical and metaphysical blindness
3286)
Does God know the future?
3285)
What reality TV tells us about reality
3284)
How Halloween celebration points to our longing for Krishna
3283)
Life, Afterlife and the Search for Meaning
October 2018
3282)
Developing service attitude 2 – How to see reciprocation in our service
3281)
Developing service attitude 1 – Service attitude transforms knowledge into realization
3280)
How to develop self-confidence
3279)
If the mind pushes us forcefully towards wrong, how can the mind be directable?
3278)
From sentimentalism to sentiment 2 – FEEL acronym – Expression and Learning
3277)
From sentimentalism to sentiment 1 – FEEL acronym – Firmness and Education
3276)
Immigrating to the spiritual world
3275)
Focus on potentials, not on problems
3274)
By helping others we may feel a sense of self-worth, but won’t it increase our ego too?
3273)
Transform your mind, transform your world
3272)
Loneliness – Why, what to do?
3271)
FEAR acronym – How to find inner security
3270)
Reflections on Western outreach
3269)
Understanding God’s role in our life
3268)
Are negative emotions due to a lack of compassion towards oneself?
3267)
Finding security in insecurity
3266)
Amidst problems, how can we avoid giving up the things that give us strength?
3265)
How our mind creates our reality – and how to change it
3264)
How do we understand Prabhupada’s statement – vegetarianism and nonviolence are not qualifications for devotion?
3263)
We need to forgive ourselves to give ourselves to Krishna
3262)
Krishna has faith in our potential – let’s have faith in his potency
3261)
If material deprivation makes us discouraged in devotion, what can we do?
3260)
If we don’t feel like practicing bhakti, should we pray to Krishna for help?
3259)
How can we have a spiritual relationship with everyone?
3258)
How can we consider the consequences of our actions without becoming speculative?
3257)
Can saying that Krishna sees inside-out lead to devotees refusing to be accountable to other devotees?
3256)
How to immigrate to the spiritual world
3255)
The MIND enigma – Mystical, Impressionable, Neutral, Directable – Insights for better mental health
3254)
Does becoming spiritually advanced means treating all situations and all people equally?
3253)
The power of purpose
3252)
The way to Vrindavan is through Kurukshetra
3251)
Does fear of temptation indicate lack of devotion?
3250)
If after some wrongdoing, we feel guilty and don’t feel like coming close to Krishna, what can we do?
3249)
If bhakti practice doesn’t make us joyful, what can we do?
3248)
Overcoming discouragement in spiritual life
3247)
Our longing for love – comparing materialist, Abrahamic, impersonal and bhakti explanations
3246)
Is remembering Krishna the highest service and all other services are for those who can’t remember him constantly?
September 2018
3245)
The truth that warms the heart influences more than the truth that lights the way
3244)
The home as the decentralized transmitter of devotional culture
3243)
Rise from being full of thoughts to being thoughtful – 4 reflections
3242)
Understanding “emotions”, “negative emotions” and “overcoming negative emotions”
3241)
The time to understand time is now
3240)
Role of self-confidence in bhakti
3239)
Is not trusting those who have cheated us a weakness of the mind?
3238)
Understanding, identifying and managing the mind
3237)
Overcoming negative emotions 2 – Acceptance, Aspiration, Analysis, Action
3236)
Overcoming negative emotions 1 – Explanation, Experimentation, Evaluation, Elevation
3235)
Is our definition of happiness depriving us of happiness – Having, Doing, Being
3234)
Why does Western science find it so difficult accept the concept of the soul?
3233)
Should we be attached to or affectionate to our spiritual master?
3232)
What is the difference between attachment and affection?
3231)
Does reading on the net decrease the quality of reading?
3230)
Analyze, Accept, Act – 3 principles for dealing with negativity
3229)
Does repeated exposure to something we are averse always increase our aversion – doesn’t krishna-bhakti taste like poison initially and nectar eventually?
3228)
Is having negative opinions about others a subtle form of Vaishnava apradha?
3227)
Share the spiritual treasure with the world – SHARE acronym
3226)
Bringing out the best within us
3225)
Making healthy choices
3224)
Overcoming negative emotions
3223)
Growing through adversities
3222)
What is destiny?
3221)
How can we process criticism without feeling hurt?
3220)
If we are criticized, should we neglect it or try to correct ourselves?
3219)
If we resentful towards some other devotee, how can we overcome the resentment?
3218)
Does the mind have any power to change reality or does everything happen according to karma?
3217)
If gender is a biological feature, then why are some men feminist and some women masculine?
3216)
In taking care of people’s emotional needs, isn’t there a danger of deviating from the spiritual?
3215)
If bhakti practice and devotee association agitates our mind, can we practice bhakti in isolation?
August 2018
3214)
Do you need a break from our mind? Bhagavad-gita insights for inside-out change
3213)
What makes relationships unsteady – and how to make them steady
3212)
If we feel inspired to do a service other than what we are instructed, what should we do?
3211)
Can you explain the ladder of abstraction through practical examples?
3210)
Can practicing bhakti too seriously cause mental health problems?
3209)
If someone is in great pain and can’t understand philosophy, how can we help them?
3208)
From exploration to realization to absorption – our devotional journey
3207)
Why has the zeal for outreach gone down in our movement?
3206)
Faith in Krishna’s existence, relevance, benevolence, intelligence and remembrance
3205)
Don’t take others’ actions personally – they are dealing more with their mind than with you
3204)
How can we be absorbed in Krishna?
3203)
Understanding Krishna’s love 2 – Experience
3202)
Understanding Krishna’s love 1 – Knowledge
3201)
When our environment is filled with sexual temptations, how can we stay unaffected?
3200)
How does humility relate with willpower?
3199)
Is thinking too much unhealthy?
3198)
When spiritual life gives poison instead of nectar – PURE acronym – 2
3197)
When spiritual life gives poison instead of nectar – 1
3196)
How spirituality fosters unity in diversity and individuality in unity
3195)
WITH acronym – We may have to live with pain, but we don’t have to live in pain
3194)
If we should be purpose-driven, not goal-driven, why do we set goals for new devotees to increase their rounds?
3193)
Devotion is not just emotion – it is conscious continuous cultivation
3192)
3 attitudes for becoming steady in life
3191)
No price is too high to possess ourselves – RECAP acronym
3190)
How the pre-modern, modern and post-modern ages respectively stressed the spiritual, physical and mental
3189)
If our mental software is corrupted, should we try to counter it or rise above it?
3188)
How practical is it to reach enlightenment in today’s fast-paced world?
3187)
What is Krishna consciousness? – Talk to multi-faith group in Australia
3186)
Krishna is close to us, but we are far away from him
3185)
Understanding the mind and how it makes us unconscious
3184)
The search for happiness – how bhakti pacifies, purifies and satisfies us
3183)
How to choose our thoughts wisely – Science, Spirituality and Wellness
3182)
How to become peaceful and purposeful
3181)
What love is and what love isn’t
3180)
SELF acronym – The self that is missing in the selfie
3179)
Our emotional wounds can’t be healed by technology – we need spiritualty
3178)
The world of science is not the world we live in
3177)
Does becoming fully conscious make it difficult to connect with others who are not that conscious?
3176)
Committing is not limiting – it is elevating
3175)
From ritual to spiritual 3 – Analysis of Krishna’s pastime with the ritualistic brahmanas – The brahmanis selfless devotion
3174)
Increasing willpower – by increasing the distance between us and our feelings, and our feeling and our actions
3173)
How can we help people who have dementia?
3172)
3 principles for spiritual community building – Session 3 – Balance & Commitment
3171)
3 principles for spiritual community building – Session 2 – QA
3170)
3 principles for spiritual community building – Session 1 – Authenticity
3169)
From ritual to spiritual 2 – Analysis of Krishna’s pastime with the ritualistic brahmanas – Understanding the brahmans
3168)
From ritual to spiritual 1 – Analysis of Krishna’s pastime with the ritualistic brahmanas
3167)
PAST acronym – 4 reflections to go past your past
3166)
Go beyond testing Krishna to tasting Krishna
July 2018
3165)
QA at Bhakti Lounge, Wellington, New Zealand
3164)
What is the subconscious mind as explained in books such as “The power of the subconscious mind”?
3163)
How can renunciates sublimate the need for sexual pleasure?
3162)
To think or not to think – 4 reflections for a happy mind
3161)
3 ways to look for blessings amidst problems
3160)
3 roles of intelligence in bhakti
3159)
How Krishna can be seen – and how he can’t be seen
3158)
Don’t let your expectations of life come in the way of life
3157)
How can bhakti wisdom help us to become more forgiving?
3156)
Selfie – Self = IE – Two things that technology provides and two things that spirituality provides
3155)
Does the teaching that we shouldn’t over-endeavor impede our career growth?
3154)
When people are so confused that they can’t discern their own material inclinations, how can we engage them in bhakti?
3153)
Make a life, not just a living – LIFE acronym
3152)
If forgiving unlimitedly a sign of humility?
3151)
Effective Leadership of spiritual communities
3150)
Debunking the mind’s fake news – 4 points
3149)
Worry not whether your path is genuine – worry whether you are genuine
3148)
Maturity in relationships – Four principles – QA
3147)
Will all our anxieties take us towards Krishna?
3146)
Should we fast on every acharya’s appearance and disappearance – how important is austerity in bhakti?
3145)
Maturity in relationships – Four principles – 3. Appreciate 4. Act
3144)
Maturity in relationships – Four principles – 2. Ascertain
3143)
Maturity in relationships – Four principles – 1. Accept
3142)
Three factors that determine what we see – Knowledge, Desire, Commitment
3141)
How can we maintain our momentum in devotion?
3140)
For seva if our svadhyaya and sadhana go down, then are we going into Maya?
3139)
If temple management uses philosophy to explain away wrong actions of devotees, what should we do?
3138)
Can forgiveness be a negative attribute?
3137)
Should we correct devotees and become a bad guy in their eyes or just turn a blind eye to their wrongdoings?
3136)
Krishna’s presence is more precious than his presents
3135)
For building a big temple, should a community’s focus shift from preaching to fund-raising?
3134)
Movie metaphor to understand how we are entangled and how bhakti liberates us
3133)
Rationally choosing our life’s purpose and process
3132)
Bring out the best within, not the beast within – Hindi
3131)
Three levels of purification – reaction, action and inclination – Hindi
3130)
How to increase our faith – Hindi
3129)
We can’t delete our memories, but we can choose what we remember
3128)
Awareness, Aspiration, Action – From standard of living to standard of loving
3127)
Role of determination and association in devotion – Hindi
3126)
Were past sages more spiritually advanced that they could live in seclusion whereas we need relationships to grow spiritually?
3125)
Should we never take sides when two devotees are in conflict?
3124)
If someone can memorize a lot of verses, is that due to their determination or their memory?
June 2018
3123)
Will Krishna be more pleased if we feed the hungry than offer opulent bhoga to the Deities?
3122)
Why are great devotees sometimes subjected to baseless vicious accusations?
3121)
If someone is suffering but is not open to spirituality, how to help them?
3120)
When the mind starts misleading, does the Supersoul intervene?
3119)
If many other people are good in the area we are good, should we still persevere in that area?
3118)
If someone is very pessimistic about themselves, how to help them?
3117)
Will using our talents for Krishna lead to pure devotion?
3116)
When serving Krishna through our profession, should we try to become the best in that profession?
3115)
How can those in passion come to goodness to understand their nature?
3114)
Should we serve Krishna as we feel inspired or as we are instructed?
3113)
Philosophically, are certain activities in certain modes – is fighting in passion or can it be in goodness?
3112)
Should we serve according to our nature or try to transcend our nature?
3111)
If we keep whimsically repeating a mistake, what to do?
3110)
What are dynamic and static understandings of bhakti?
3109)
If our weaknesses make us lose perspective, what can we do?
3108)
How do the soul, mind, intelligence and false ego interact with each other?
3107)
How do we know if we are doing a service for our ego or for Krishna?
3106)
We plan to do many services during vacations, but end up in doing nothing – what to do?
3105)
How to balance between dependence on Krishna and diligence for Krishna?
3104)
If God could have stopped Hitler from killing innocent people, why didn’t he do so?
3103)
Appreciating the potency of online outreach
3102)
When terrorists kill people, are those people killed because of their own karma?
3101)
How can we explain why bad things happen without seeming insensitive by bringing in karma?
3100)
Be creative in fixing the mind on Krishna – Hindi
3099)
Should we appreciate the good qualities in nondevotees?
3098)
How does bhakti wisdom help us to become more tolerant?
3097)
Scripture glorifies association between seer and seeker – is association of equals also uplifting?
3096)
We may be hurt, but we don’t have to stay hurt
3095)
If we have a million options to choose from, how to decide?
3094)
Can we see everything that happens as Krishna’s mercy, that he is giving us our own bad karma for making us take shelter of him?
3093)
Can ambition and devotion go together 2 – How to channel ambition in devotion
3092)
If our mind troubles us more than others’ mind troubles them, what to do?
3091)
Amidst suffering, should we see that Krishna has chosen us to go through this for some purpose?
3090)
How can we make difficult decisions responsibly?
3089)
Does Krishna interfere with the laws of material nature for a devotee?
3088)
How can we become more consistent?
3087)
How the mind troubles us – and how to protect ourselves – Hindi
3086)
Keep the mind on the spiritual track to keep it out of trouble
3085)
Why we need spirituaity in the age of technology
3084)
How can we practically understand humility and surrender?
3083)
Can ambition and devotion go together 1 – How happiness-distress are fixed and how they aren’t
3082)
Analyzing different religions to find life’s purpose 2 – The problem of evil, original sin and karma
3081)
Analyzing different religions to find life’s purpose 1 – Seeking a purpose bigger than our problems
3080)
Is seeing believing 3 – Resolving science-spirituality conflicts
3079)
Is seeing believing 2 – What the map of science misses
3078)
Is seeing believing 1 – Even science explains the visible with the invisible
3077)
Understanding tradition and its conformers, deformers, reformers – and presenters
3076)
The power of gratitude 2 – How to cultivate gratitude
3075)
The power of gratitude 1 – How gratitude empowers us
3074)
How can we avoid karmic entanglement while working in our office?
May 2018
3073)
How can we change ourselves for the better as quickly as possible?
3072)
Varnashrama in bhakti – Focus on replicating the take-off, not recreating the take-off point
3071)
If we make a strong resolution, does the mind’s power ensure that we keep it?
3070)
Nourishing the creeper of devotion 4 – Finding our spiritual stimuil
3069)
Nourishing the creeper of devotion 3 – Avoid attachment to renunciation
3068)
Strive first for devotion, then for pure devotion
3067)
How do our beliefs and habits shape what pops up on our inner screen?
3066)
How can we get the impetus to chant seriously?
3065)
Does anxiety come by itself or do we choose it – what to do about it?
3064)
When we keep forgetting the good things we hear, what is the benefit?
3063)
Sensitivity in relationships 3 – Dealing with insensitive people
3062)
How to get realizations
3061)
Which is the easier way to attain Krishna – bhakti or seva?
3060)
Nourishing the creeper of devotion 2 – Regulate attachment even to things that help in devotion
3059)
Sensitivity in relationships 2 – From judgment to encouragement
3058)
Does developing a devotional self-conception require a lot of preparation before it can be lived?
3057)
Sensitivity in relationships 1 – Why we need to be sensitive and why we aren’t
3056)
Nourishing the creeper of devotion 1 – The danger of becoming religious but not spiritual
3055)
How can we strive to overcome our anarthaas without becoming anartha-conscious?
3054)
Should we critically evaluate bhakti or just believe and practice it?
3053)
Healthy self-understanding 5 – Concluding QA session
3052)
Healthy self-understanding 4 – Reasons to be kind to ourselves
3051)
Healthy self-understanding 3 – Misunderstandings about humility and tolerance
3050)
Healthy self-understanding 2 – How the mind can hurt the self
3049)
Healthy self-understanding 1 – How the modes distort our self-understanding
3048)
Balancing forgiveness and justice 2 – What forgiveness isn’t and what it is
3047)
Balancing forgiveness and justice 1 – Why deterrence is essential
3046)
How to overcome dissatisfaction
3045)
Seek not moments of devotion – seek momentum in devotion
3044)
Does fixing the mind on Krishna require laborious mechanical repetition?
3043)
Free will and God’s will 3 – How God helps us free our free will
3042)
Free will and God’s will 2 – Understanding the trigger, cause and target of our weaknesses
3041)
When Kripa participated in the murder of the Pandavas son, why did they still accept him as their priest?
3040)
Can we pray to Krishna for removing obstacles in our material life?
3039)
If some devotees do great kirtan, but don’t chant 16 rounds, should we appreciate them?
3038)
Free will and God’s will 1 – God is the cause of all causes, not all effects
3037)
If someone is practicing bhakti but not chanting 16 rounds, what is their destination?
3036)
Is the community responsible for fostering emotional maturity?
3035)
Seeker within, achiever without
3034)
Memorizing scriptural verses – Whys and hows -2
3033)
Memorizing scriptural verses – Whys and hows -1
3032)
Even if we have problems, we don’t have to be problems
3031)
How to avoid sleepiness while chanting?
3030)
Do we need to master our emotions to be sensitive to others’ emotions – is being emotional bad?
3029)
Does living near the temple help in developing Krishna consciousness?
3028)
Can karmic reactions come at the mental level?
3027)
Should we pray that other devotees overcome their demonic qualities or not see any faults in devotees?
3026)
How can we distance ourselves from jealousy?
3025)
What is the difference between humble and meek?
3024)
By practicing spirituality, how does our inner world change?
3023)
If our service is not giving results, is that due to some deficiency in us?
3022)
When we can’t avoid anxiety, what can we do?
3021)
Why psychological distress amidst technological progress – 3 reasons
3020)
How do we tap our strengths and get rid of our weaknesses?
3019)
See pain as a protector and a pointer
3018)
In Sanatana-dharma, how did the divisions of Dvaita and Advaita occur?
3017)
Is staying away from alcoholic friends escapism?
3016)
Does spirituality come from without within or within without?
3015)
Destiny determines our situations and emotions, we determine our intentions and actions
3014)
When life doesn’t seem fair, three reflections for self-empowerment
3013)
Managing the voice inside the head 2 – Identification, Direction, Transformation
3012)
Evolve – Rising towards contribution and satisfaction
3011)
How to ensure that our behavior with our juniors is the same as with our seniors?
3010)
If God is the cause of everything, how do we have free will?
3009)
Ghosts and God – Understanding how the invisible affects the visible
3008)
Does God laugh at our plans? – part 2
3007)
Does God laugh at our plans? – part 1
3006)
How can unspiritual people face life’s problems positively?
3005)
Does liberation mean understanding we have no free will?
3004)
Seek not just to get better things; seek to get better thoughts
3003)
Speaking according to time-place-circumstance to make outreach effective
3002)
Has God ordained the future trajectory of all living beings?
3001)
When incubation is done externally, where does the soul come in the picture?
3000)
How can we share Krishna’s message purely, without the need for validation?
2999)
Managing the voice inside the head – 1
2998)
As our free will is finite, should we just depend on Krishna always?
2997)
How to become pacified, purified and satisfied
2996)
Is spirituality meant to eliminate worry and depression?
2995)
If a well-thought decision turns out to be a mistake, then do we get the karma for it?
2994)
To deny destiny is to deny ourselves the chance of making our destiny
April 2018
2993)
Krishna descends to establish dharma – what does that dharma refer to?
2992)
Fulfilling our need for progress by becoming committed in bhakti
2991)
Are the various paths up the mountain to spiritual consciousness equivalent?
2990)
Should we distance ourselves from positive emotions such as those coming from achievement?
2989)
When Krishna is the cause of all causes, how do we have free will?
2988)
If some people are more emotional than others, can they still manage their emotions?
2987)
The way I feel is the way I feel – Accepting our emotions and transcending our emotions
2986)
How the mind becomes unclear and how to clear it
2985)
When distancing ourselves from our desires isn’t enough, what to do?
2984)
If our scriptural knowledge makes us proud, what can we do?
2983)
Do you need to break up with your phone?
2982)
Hanuman and Prabhupada were given a purpose – when we haven’t been given one, how should we live?
2981)
Can spiritual growth and career growth go together?
2980)
If we like to read a lot and others don’t like our reading so much, what to do?
2979)
How do we gain trust while interacting with unknown people?
2978)
Intelligence means to know which thoughts to contemplate and which to neglect
2977)
Healing the earth by healing the heart
2976)
How can we avoid labelling and judging others?
2975)
When different people consider different courses of action as right, how to reconcile?
2974)
Amidst so many materialistic temptations today, how can we stay devotional?
2973)
How can we alert others to future dangers without discouraging them?
2972)
Why does Krishna make it so difficult for us to come to him?
2971)
Do intellectuals find it more difficult to love Krishna?
2970)
Appreciating Radhanatha Maharaj’s contributions towards helping devotees practice bhakti sustainably
2969)
If peer pressure makes us do materialistic things, what to do?
2968)
Learning to be kind to ourselves
2967)
When the mind wants to change unchangeable circumstances, what to do?
2966)
If we are to hate the sin, aren’t we to be averse to sin?
2965)
Bhakti in three modes 3 – Bhakti in goodness brings sustainability, purity and harmony
2964)
Making sense of life through karma and reincarnation
2963)
How to decide how much to be satisfied with?
2962)
How are some people emotionally tough even when they don’t practice bhakti?
2961)
Bhakti in three modes 2 – Bhakti in passion equates material success with spiritual advancement
2960)
How to be detached without becoming irresponsible
2959)
If we identify that we are feeling self-pity, what do we do next?
2958)
If we are already connected with Krishna, why do we need to chant?
2957)
Bhakti in three modes 1 – Bhakti in ignorance is self-righteous and hurtful
2956)
To blame is to be lame – stop seeking scapegoats
2955)
Are rocks alive – can we become rocks in our future life?
2954)
If someone takes retirement and then feels unengaged and disoriented, what should they do?
2953)
Focus on life, not on the mind’s commentary on life
2952)
Where does the power of mantras lie – in letters or meaning or somewhere else?
2951)
If everything is God’s will, how do we have free will?
2950)
Does the mind look for change and the soul look for the unchanging?
2949)
Does our spiritual master know everything about us?
2948)
Unity in diversity and diversity in unity – The Absolute’s relationship with us
2947)
Gratitude is not just an attitude but also an awareness
2946)
How can we explain morality to moral relativists?
2945)
Will anxiety be addressed in the long-term by bhakti or should we try to address it in the short-term too?
2944)
How can we remember Krishna while we are working in a materialistic environment?
2943)
Resolutions in the three modes – and in transcendence
2942)
If during a class some children are distracting everyone, why isn’t anything done about it?
2941)
How can we perceive Krishna’s love amidst our and others distresses and conditionings?
2940)
Is our attraction to Krishna a conditional attraction generated by devotional conditions?
2939)
Are our mistakes part of Krishna’s plan? – 2
2938)
During chanting, can we have aids to get the mind from the physical level to the spiritual level?
2937)
When science requires only working assumptions, why do you say that science requires faith?
2936)
Why is the population increasing?
2935)
Are our mistakes part of Krishna’s plan? – 1
2934)
Our defining power is the power to choose our thoughts
2933)
How can we develop our relationship with the eternal using the temporary mind?
2932)
If I don’t have much work at my office, should I go and ask for more work?
2931)
Is Krishna situated in the mind or the heart – how are the two related?
2930)
4 reflections for overcoming fear of failure
2929)
Interrupting the mind’s train of thoughts 2
2928)
Does accepting our emotions mean that our getting angry is not a matter of concern?
2927)
How can we avoid making a ruinous mistake like Ravana made?
2926)
When we are telling ourselves to concentrate, who is telling this – the soul or the intelligence – and to whom?
2925)
Interrupting the mind’s train of thoughts 1
2924)
When we can’t remember Krishna purely now, how will our remembering him at death take us to him?
2923)
Does religion cause war?
2922)
The mind may stray away, but don’t let it stay away
2921)
How can the mind be our friend?
2920)
Do we need to give up guilt and worry to practice bhakti?
2919)
If my office workload has decreased but I can’t chant or hear much, what should I do?
2918)
Understanding how the mind acts as a mirror that distorts our self-conception
2917)
How does bhakti shelter us amidst physical and emotional pain?
2916)
How to reconcile the Gita – do your own duty, even if imperfectly – with the Gita – do what you are good at, according to your nature?
2915)
Screen what appears on your inner screen – Learn to manage the mind
2914)
If we move to a temple whose mood is different from that of our native temple, what to do?
2913)
Science, Spirituality and The Search for Meaning
2912)
How can we internalize the mood and mission of our teachers?
2911)
How understanding destiny empowers
2910)
While analyzing our mind, how to avoid paralysis by analysis?
2909)
When we are not the doers – material nature is – why are we held responsible for our actions?
2908)
Cultivating Cooperation in Krishna consciousness
2907)
Why we are sometimes wise and sometimes otherwise
2906)
If we feel more attracted to managerial services than scriptural study, are we in the mode of passion?
2905)
Net Surfing or Net Suffering?
2904)
How do we strengthen the intelligence?
2903)
How do the modes correlate with an analysis of the mind’s functioning?
2902)
From state of the art to state of the heart
2901)
If meeting our expectations makes us over-confident, what can we do?
2900)
By engaging our material nature in bhakti, are we constructing our spiritual nature or reviving it?
2899)
Is anxiety a disorder?
2898)
How to go through dry phases in our chanting?
2897)
Do we seek only an operational knowledge of scripture and not actual knowledge?
2896)
Learning to live with emotional lows
March 2018
2895)
How Krishna steals our distresses
2894)
Does repeated practice improve our instincts?
2893)
Does anyone who die in a dhama on a holy day go back to Godhead?
2892)
If a desire is irresistible, what to do?
2891)
Should we take other devotees plates for washing if they don’t want to give?
2890)
Should we have expectations while practicing bhakti?
2889)
Shouldn’t we speak strongly to get everyone on the fast track to Krishna?
2888)
Are we the sum of our thoughts?
2887)
Spiritual but not religious – Analyzing four permutations
2886)
Can we say that intelligence comprises of knowledge processing, discrimination, analysis and determination?
2885)
How should we deal with people involved in non-devotional dharmic causes?
2884)
Is determination situated in the intelligence or in the mind?
2883)
How can we practically make the intelligence the counsellor of the mind?
2882)
How can we encourage a devotee to do service with someone they don’t like?
2881)
Does the soul in an animal body learn anything spiritual?
2880)
In Kali-yuga, thoughts don’t incur reactions – what does that mean practically?
2879)
How can we help materially entrapped people to become spiritual?
2878)
Ajamila knew scripture – yet he fell down. Why?
2877)
How can we balance between bhakti and studies?
2876)
Are our mistakes Krishna’s mercy?
2875)
If our spouse is sentimentally following a different spiritual path, how should we deal with it?
2874)
If our speaking about Krishna doesn’t transform others, does that mean we lack the purity that empowers senior devotees’ words to be transformational?
2873)
Is wanting to go back after death to Krishna selfish and wanting to go to Prabhupada selfless?
2872)
How do we understand scriptural stories in which mountains are conscious?
2871)
Are pleasures such as traveling to see new places considered addictive?
2870)
Why to become spiritual now
2869)
To show our world to others, we need to see it with fresh eyes
2868)
Matters that matter more than matter – Origin, Value, Meaning
2867)
Is bhakti a conditioned attraction of the mind or the natural attraction of the soul?
2866)
How the mind tells its stories by inducing forgetfulness, faith and feelings
2865)
If bhakti is beyond the modes, why do we need to come to the mode of goodness?
2864)
How to avoid judging others?
2863)
Can capacity to find faults be an empowerment from Krishna?
2862)
When the mind is restless, how are performers like archers able to focus on one point?
2861)
How philosophy and experience harmonize in bhakti
2860)
How chanting works on the mind – and how the mind works during chanting
2859)
Tap the mind, don’t be trapped by the mind 3 – From shakshi bhava to seva bhava
2858)
If seva-dhyana comes in the way of nama-dhyana, what to do?
2857)
Did some of the leaders of our movement fall down because of being haunted by demonic forces?
2856)
Does destiny determine our free will too?
2855)
How are some people fearless of death?
2854)
Tap the mind, don’t be trapped by the mind 2 – Why mind control backfires
2853)
Tap the mind, dont be trapped by the mind 1 – The pressure for pleasure
2852)
How does bhakti-yoga help us overcome anger?
2851)
How can we use fear in Krishna’s service?
2850)
Can affirmations helps us to manifest our destiny?
2849)
Winning with emotional intelliigence 1 – Personal competence through self management
2848)
Can an atheist be spiritual?
2847)
How can we be authentic while living according to others’ expectations?
2846)
How are some people such as skydivers more fearless than devotees?
2845)
Understanding how bhakti addresses anxiety
2844)
How can we help our teenage kids who are infatuated with their gadgets?
2843)
When not being passionate is seen as weakness in a passionate world, how can we function as devotees?
2842)
How we spend more time avoiding pain than seeking pleasure – and why we shouldn’t
2841)
How can we know whether our experience of Krishna is imagination or revelation?
2840)
If we fight against obstacles to serve Krishna in a particular way, are we not dependent on Krishna?
2839)
Appreciating Radhanath Maharaj’s contributions in the light of ISKCON history
2838)
When the higher taste doesn’t seem higher
2837)
If we neglect all the emotions of the mind, are we being impersonalistic?
2836)
How did you come to Krishna consciousness – Hindi?
2835)
If wanting to do a lot of service spoils our health, how to stay balanced?
2834)
Choosing healthy emotions with intelligence, association and devotion
2833)
How to control the mind with the intelligence 3 – Conversion
2832)
Are the past and the future illusions – is the present the only reality that we should live in?
2831)
We often direct our anger towards those who can’t hurt us – how to avoid getting angry – Hindi
2830)
When happiness is a subjective experience, can there be any absolute happiness?
2829)
How to control the mind with the intelligence 2 – Concentration
2828)
How to control the mind with the intelligence 1 – Conviction
2827)
While pursuing ultimate reality, is happiness the purpose or a byproduct?
2826)
When fear accelerates the imagination, let faith be the brake
2825)
The search for pleasure is often the source of the greatest trouble
2824)
If we don’t speak about high standards, won’t low standards become the standard
2823)
If our service forces us into agitating situations, how can we keep ourselves safe – Hindi?
2822)
If our contemplation doesn’t translate into determination, where are we getting stuck?
2821)
When our mind hears selectively, is that due to intelligence or ego?
2820)
What the self seeks beyond the selfie
2819)
If someone says that being spiritually open-minded means believing that life doesn’t have an objective purpose how to respond?
2818)
How are our present emotions related to our soul?
2817)
How does bhakti practice change the influence of the modes on us?
2816)
Why would Yudhishthira always choose the timid approach?
2815)
Avoid distractions using intelligence directed towards transcendence
2814)
When people don’t offer us moral support but dishearten us by bombarding philosophy, what to do – Hindi?
2813)
If our aesthetic side is not nourished by regimented bhakti practices, what to do?
2812)
What can we do practically to make our devotional identity our defining identity?
2811)
To transcend our emotions, we need to begin by accepting our emotions
2810)
Spiritualizing our relationships 4 – Changing our input in relationships
2809)
Spiritualizing our relationships 3 – Changing our vision of our role in relationships
2808)
Spiritualizing our relationships 2 – Changing our vision of others
2807)
Spiritualizing our relationships 1 – How the modes turn good intentions into not-so-good actions
2806)
Is everything that happens Krishna’s plan?
2805)
In difficult relationships, at what point should we stop tolerating?
2804)
When the mind gets obsessed with desire, it becomes impossible to control – what to do – Hindi?
2803)
In difficult relationships, are tolerating, mitigating and emigrating to be tried sequentially?
2802)
You said if we do whatever we like, we end up disliking ourselves – isn’t varnashrama based on working according to our likings?
2801)
When pure devotees are beyond the modes, where does their nature come from?
2800)
How chanting helps us understand ourselves and our mind
2799)
What science can tell us about ourselves – and what it can’t
2798)
How can we act at the level that we are not our bodies – Hindi?
2797)
Why do our resolutions for inner transformation not last?
February 2018
2796)
How the mind distorts our vision of others and disrupts our relationships – Hindi
2795)
How can we constantly remember that we are different from our mind?
2794)
How the mind spoils our relationships – Hindi
2793)
Animal Metaphors for understanding the mind – Hindi
2792)
Acknowledging our emotions but not acting impulsively on them
2791)
Let samskaras takes us beyond our scars
2790)
Is the higher taste of bhakti available only for those who practice bhakti exclusively while living in a temple?
2789)
Is ISKCON’s initial portrayal of the purificatory potency of bhakti unrealistic?
2788)
If a couple can’t have a child, how can they serve Krishna?
2787)
Everyone’s mind tell them different stories – don’t be judgmental, be purposeful
2786)
Even when we accept a spiritual purpose, spiritual practice remains difficult – what to do?
2785)
When fear comes likes a forceful river, what to do?
2784)
If we feel Krishna has let us down in the past, how can we depend on him?
2783)
How can we love others without becoming attached?
2782)
How can we differentiate between what to hold on to and what to let go?
2781)
When we feel excessive fear, how can we correct the mind’s corrupted software?
2780)
How can we deal with past hurtful memories?
2779)
If I feel fearful because others keep reminding me of my past mistakes, what to do?
2778)
Analyzing the relationship between material progress and spiritual progress
2777)
Does greater ambition lead to greater fear?
2776)
I am afraid of darkness – what can I do?
2775)
Why does Krishna test devotees?
2774)
How can we make the right choice a habit instead of an austerity?
2773)
Does maintaining an institute make managers rigid and impersonal?
2772)
With what attitude should we go for inter-faith programs – how do they help our mission?
2771)
If a Muslim wants to study the Gita but can’t accept God’s personal form, what to do?
2770)
Is God the cause of negativity in humans?
2769)
Should evolution be taught in schools?
2768)
If everything is under karma, are terrorists wrongdoers or simply instruments for punishing wrongdoers?
2767)
Mind It 3 – Choosing healthy response to problems
2766)
Happiness is found not in sensation but in absorption
2765)
Why are there many religions – can we believe in more than one religion?
2764)
Mind It 2 – How unrealistic expectations hamper our relationships
2763)
Mind It 1 – Understanding the modes, mind and emotions
2762)
Krishna is knowledge, object of knowledge and objective of knowledge
2761)
How can we avoid becoming discouraged on seeing that the modes are pulling us down?
January 2018
2760)
How can we seek higher purpose when things are going right, not just when things start going wrong?
2759)
How can devotees learn to be satisfied with whatever services they can do?
2758)
Spiritualizing our relationships – Hindi
2757)
Maintaining balance amidst disruptive emotions and situations
2756)
Devotees who succeed in getting external results are looked up to in our movement – what to do?
2755)
What can brahmacharis do if they feel choked in their ashram?
2754)
If we are too passionate to separate ourselves from our mind, what to do?
2753)
Wasn’t Arjuna passionate about archery – can we be passionate about something and still be devotional?
2752)
We want appreciation for making our contribution – what to do about this wanting?
2751)
Is bhakti philosophy pessimistic – Hindi?
2750)
When we live in a competitive world, how can we avoid comparing ourselves with others?
2749)
How can we avoid collateral damage while working in our offices?
2748)
How our mind messes our relationships 2 – Focus on contribution, not expectation
2747)
How our mind messes our relationships 1 – Understanding instincts and impulses
2746)
The Bhagavad-gita as a leadership guide
2745)
Changing ourselves by changing our situation, standpoint and self-identification
2744)
How can we get rid of unwanted thoughts?
2743)
Ambition, Satisfaction & Devotion 2 – Hospital metaphor for harmonizing material and spiritual growth
2742)
Ambition, Satisfaction & Devotion 1 – Outside-in Ambition vs Inside-out Ambition
2741)
Managing the mind 4 – Training the mind by dividing and castigating
2740)
Managing the mind 3 – Understanding inclination, infatuation and intention
2739)
Managing the mind 2 – Understanding how the mind affects our free will
2738)
When things don’t make sense, look for a deeper sense
2737)
Managing the mind 1 – The many meanings of the word ‘mind’ and their correlation with the Gita’s understanding
2736)
Getting our emotions to work for, us, not against us
2735)
From Fear to Surrender 4 – FEAR acronym – 4 steps for overcoming fear
2734)
QA session at ISKCON Bahrain
2733)
If we can do a service well and see others doing that service poorly, should we stay uninvolved to avoid becoming proud or critical?
December 2017
2732)
From Fear to Surrender 3 – FEAR acronym for analyzing fear 2 – Attachment and Redirection
2731)
From Fear to Surrender 2 – FEAR acronym for analyzing fear part 1 – Faith and Education
2730)
From Fear to Surrender 1 – Understanding how our fears originate
2729)
If others do politics to sideline us from our service, should we also do politics to continue our service?
2728)
The most dangerous jumping is jumping to conclusions
2727)
How can we increase the quality in our existing devotional commitments?
2726)
When neither distress nor taste motivates us consistently in bhakti, how can we become consistent?
2725)
How can I overcome my attraction to watch every detail of my favorite actress?
2724)
How can we be materially successful while practicing bhakti?
2723)
Should we correct others when we don’t have the authority to do so and others aren’t receptive?
2722)
Technology, Spirituality and the Search for a Meaningful life
2721)
Overcoming fear, desire and anger to take shelter of Krishna
2720)
Dealing with insecurities – Hindi
2719)
From fictional enjoyment to spiritual enjoyment through explanations, exponents and experiences – Hindi
2718)
Understanding various ways Krishna protects – Bhagavatam characters analysis
2717)
The mind is like a madhouse – 4 strategies for managing it – Hindi
2716)
If the devotional ambience around us is unfavorable because devotees are rude, what should we do?
2715)
When we have to choose between two ways of serving Krishna, what should we do?
2714)
Prabhupada life-story 16 – Establishing the foundation
2713)
Prabhupada life-story 15 – From spiritual shoppers to spiritual seekers
2712)
If we use our extrovert nature to serve Krishna, are we functioning in the mode of passion?
2711)
Prabhupada life-story 14 – Incorporating ISKCON – The seven visionary purposes
2710)
Do we need only devotional principles to change our past’s influences – can other things help?
2709)
When we are frustrated, is it possible to think logically as explained in classes?
2708)
If past mental impressions stay despite a long practice of bhakti, what to do?
November 2017
2707)
How do we deal with negative people who are not transformable?
2706)
Why our moods keep changing – and what we can do about it
2705)
Facing our fears – FEAR acronym
2704)
Science, Spirituality and Self-empowerment
2703)
Understanding how our mind makes us misunderstand 4 – QA
2702)
Understanding how our mind makes us misunderstand 2 – Misunderstanding ourselves
2701)
Analyzing yoga and bhakti to keep practice in harmony with purpose
2700)
What makes relationships spiritual and sustainable – Marriage reception talk
2699)
Emotionally intelligent spirituality 2 – Let immediate and ultimate solutions work cooperatively, not competitively
2698)
Emotionally intelligent spirituality 1 – Don’t work for or against emotions – work with them for Krishna
2697)
When does determination turn into obstinacy?
2696)
By contemplating the consequences of sensuality, if we practice bhakti, is that bhakti at the level of fear?
2695)
How small conflicts become big – Daksha pastime analysis 3 – Understanding the filters people bring to a relationship
2694)
Pursuing our loudest desires is not freedom – pursuing our deepest desires is
2693)
3 As to bring out the best in you – Awareness Association Appreciation
2692)
Does Krishna know which choices we are going to make?
2691)
Appreciating HH Radhanath Maharaj’s visionary outreach
2690)
How conscious intention raises bhakti to the level of a relationship
2689)
Strengthening the bonds that liberate
2688)
How small conflicts become big – Daksha Pastime analysis 2 – Ego causes desensitization
2687)
How small conflicts become big – Daksha pastime analysis 1 – Unprocessed resentment causes explosion
2686)
When things go wrong, how can keep faith and avoid feeling the pinch?
2685)
If bhakti doesn’t protect us from troubles, then what is the point of practicing it?
2684)
If we tend to over-expect from others and alienate them, what to do?
2683)
From bondage to bonding – Redefining our relationships
2682)
If the world is Maya, is it just like the world of Harry Potter?
2681)
How can we avoid impulsive reactions that make things worse?
2680)
Shakuni Character Analysis 1 – The mind rationalizes selfishness as selflessness
2679)
Spiritualizing our work through IAC – intention, action and contribution
2678)
When our filters distort our vision, how can we see things as they are?
2677)
Is it selfish to want others to change so that we can be more comfortable?
2676)
Prabhupada life-story 13 – Fearless amidst disturbed and disturbing audiences
2675)
Making sense of senseless suffering – Understanding why devotees face fatal accidents
2674)
PAST acronym – How to get past our past
2673)
I am useless – Is this feeling in ignorance or in transcendence?
2672)
The Gita’s two endings point to the same end
2671)
Connecting with ourselves to connect with others
2670)
How spiritual life relates to our material Life 2 – Work not for or against your nature, work with your nature for Krishna
2669)
How spiritual life relates to our material Life 1 – Rejection, Complementation, Redirection
2668)
From what science explains to what explains science
2667)
How can we balance our limited controllership over our children with our responsibility to guide them?
2666)
When taking decisions, how do we balance using our intelligence and having faith in Krishna?
2665)
From Passion to Compassion 2 – From religion in passion to devotion in goodness
2664)
From Passion to Compassion 3 – Compassion needs to be felt as compassion
2663)
Using our functional identification to realize our transcendental identity
2662)
How can we detach ourselves from what others think about us?
2661)
How bhakti helps us get past our past
2660)
From passion to compassion 1
2659)
Can the mind sting us – how?
2658)
When a loved one is hurt, we feel disturbed, but not so much when someone unknown is hurt – is this attachment?
2657)
Why do Vraja-vasis need to perform a karma-kanda reformatory ceremony?
2656)
From Damodara month to Damodar mood – From circumstantial devotion to transcendental devotion through intentional devotion
2655)
The mind makes the intelligence act unintelligently
2654)
How do we overcome ambiguity about going ahead in a relationship?
2653)
Prabhupada life-story 12 – Through serious difficulties to serious seekers
2652)
In the treasure hunt for happiness, avoid the leads that mislead
2651)
When chanting, should we just hear the holy name or try to focus the mind on Krishna’s lotus feet?
2650)
Empower those who are protecting us, not those who are attacking us
2649)
We get creative ideas but feel that implementing them requires too much work – what to do?
2648)
Ramayana series 5 – Hanuman – There is a time and place for everything, don’t lose heart
2647)
From destructive competition to constructive competition – 2
2646)
From destructive competition to constructive competition – 1
2645)
Don’t use God to stay away from God
October 2017
2644)
Why crave for the pleasures that make you a slave
2643)
When a parent won’t give a child a pile of chocolates, why does Krishna create a world filled with sense objects?
2642)
Ramayana series 4 – SEES acronym – 4 explanations why Rama abandoned Sita
2641)
Just because we have got the monkey off the back doesn’t mean the circus has left town
2640)
Should I choose the spiritual master whose personal association I get or whose classes inspire me?
2639)
Ramayana series 3 – Shurapanakha’s slyness – Beware of those who manipulate us using our weakness
2638)
Ramayana series 2 – Maricha’s miscalculation – Our destination is not as important as our action
2637)
The mind keeps us enslaved
2636)
Ramayana Series 1 – Dasharatha’s dilemma
2635)
Thwart the desires that titillate initially but torment eventually
2634)
How can we avoid impulsive angry responses?
2633)
Inner healing through forgiveness
2632)
Love is the ultimate reality that unifies all reality
2631)
Prabhupada life-story 11 – On the bowery – A follower turns attacker
2630)
Stung by the tongue
2629)
Overcoming negative emotions 5 – Self-doubt
2628)
The greatest danger is the danger of forgetting the danger
2627)
Understanding how bhakti fulfills the purpose of scripture – and how we can help
2626)
How can Vyasadeva refer to himself as a great sage in the Bhagavatam?
2625)
Even if we can’t be on the same page as God, be at least in the same book
2624)
Focus on Krishna’s glories while studying Bhagavatam – don’t be distracted
2623)
How is temperament more important than talent?
2622)
If we resist a desire, it increases, and our mind goes crazy – what to do?
2621)
When we have to work so many hours in nondevotional jobs for our financial needs, how can we grow devotionally?
2620)
Even when we have knowledge, we can’t apply it – what to do?
2619)
Spiritual Lessons from Car Driving 4 – The destination is also our companion
2618)
Spiritual Lessons from Car Driving 3 – Our attitude is our steering wheel
2617)
Spiritual Lessons from Car Driving 2 – What we are driving matters, but where we are driving matters more
2616)
Spiritual Lessons from Car Driving 1 – The mind is the passenger, don’t let it become the driver
2615)
As a to-be householder, should I work fulltime in a temple or take a job outside
2614)
Freedom for what – our surface desires or our deepest desires
2613)
Prabhupada life-story 10 – How Krishna set the stage for Prabhupada
2612)
My husband doesn’t oppose my bhakti, but he wants me to take interest in worldly things that I have lost interest in – what should I do?
2611)
If my counselor breaks a regulative principle, how do I maintain my faith?
2610)
If our past bad relationships make us averse to exploring new relationships, what should we do?
2609)
How can we emotionally accept that people who treat us like crap are delivering us our past karma?
2608)
How can we overcome the expectation of apology from someone who has hurt us?
2607)
What are the precursors to anger – how can we know that we are likely to explode at someone?
2606)
How can we preach with sincere devotees who are desensitized to newcomers’ sensitivities?
2605)
Overcoming negative emotions 4 – Overcoming anger through forgiveness
2604)
If circumstances make following bhakti principles impossible, what should we do?
2603)
When our emotions come in the way of our bhakti practices, what can we do?
2602)
In youth, how much should we be preparing for our career and how much focusing on devotional growth?
2601)
How much should we restrict our children from hearing mundane music?
2600)
How can we prioritize our services, when we have limited time?
2599)
Advancing spiritually at our pace, from our place by understanding the power, principle and process of krishna-bhakti
2598)
How can we avoid judging ourselves?
2597)
How can we deal with self-doubt?
2596)
What does it mean to be consistently content with the self?
2595)
If we see patterns similar to a failed relationship in a new relationship, how can we avoid becoming pessimistic?
2594)
Devotion doesn’t restrict us – it empowers us
2593)
Gita 02.20-30 Go beyond lamentation by understanding the eternality of the soul and the multiplicity of its reincarnations
2592)
How the Universal Form makes Krishna accessible
2591)
Prabhupada life-story 09 – Alone and unaided in an alien land
2590)
Overcoming negative emotions 3 – Fear
2589)
If we don’t have gratitude, how does it matter in bhakti?
2588)
How to overcome lust or material desire
2587)
If my chanting remains inattentive despite my best effort, am I being offensive?
2586)
How the fictional points to the spiritual
2585)
Understanding Surrender – Meditation on Prabhupada’s prayer Markine Bhagavata Dharma – 6
2584)
QA on dealing with material desires, excessive workload, inattentiveness in chanting and other bhakti principles
2583)
Understanding Surrender – Meditation on Prabhupada’s prayer Markine Bhagavata Dharma – 5
2582)
Understanding Surrender – Meditation on Prabhupada’s prayer Markine Bhagavata Dharma – 4
2581)
Understanding Surrender – Meditation on Prabhupada’s prayer Markine Bhagavata Dharma – 3
2580)
Understanding Surrender – Meditation on Prabhupada’s prayer Markine Bhagavata Dharma – 2
2579)
Understanding Surrender – Meditation on Prabhupada’s prayer Markine Bhagavata Dharma – 1
2578)
Should medicines be used to treat depression?
2577)
If negative events cause a panic attack, what can we do?
2576)
Should we be simply attached to the principle of service or to specific services according to our nature?
2575)
Ramayana reflections – Maricha represents worship in fear
2574)
Damodara lila analysis – Going beyond cultural conceptions to spiritual revelation
2573)
How our vision alters our perception – Gita study 01.24-36
2572)
Overcoming negative emotions 2 – Depression
2571)
Prabhupada life-story 08 – Journey on Jaladuta – Physically demanding, Divinely revealing
2570)
How can we deal with gossipy or critical family members?
2569)
What is the difference between greed and ambition?
2568)
What role does sleep play on the spiritual path?
2567)
Can we see the future in our dreams?
2566)
How do some people get guidance in the state of being half-awake, half-asleep?
2565)
What is the source of the programming we have?
2564)
When our emotions don’t keep pace with our convictions, as when facing adversities, what can we do?
2563)
What we can learn from our dreams
2562)
Simplify, Clarify, Purify – Three principles for a fulfilling life
2561)
Live in the present, but not for the present
2560)
From material detachment to spiritual attachment – Ignorance, Tolerance, Transcendence, Immanence
2559)
How can we protect our consciousness?
September 2017
2558)
Prabhupada life-story 07 – Seeking to reach the Western mind
2557)
How can we evaluate people’s level of consciousness without becoming judgmental?
2556)
How can we stop being resentful towards others?
2555)
While practicing bhakti, how can we avoid getting locked into our professional identity?
2554)
Overcoming negative emotions 1 – Resentment
2553)
Can our anarthas be dovetailed in Krishna’s service?
2552)
How can we distract ourselves from desires arising in the body such as hunger?
2551)
Developing Vaishnava qualities
2550)
Three principles for controlling the mind – Intelligence, Diligence and Dependence
2549)
Even if we can’t be grateful for all circumstances, we can be grateful in all circumstances
2548)
If our family members don’t practice regulative principles, is it right to disconnect from them?
2547)
How can we be cautious about not indulging in something without constantly thinking about it?
2546)
How is anger not just an emotion but also a thing?
2545)
Are anarthas also part of our nature?
2544)
From anartha-nivrtti to artha-pravrtti 4 – Understanding Pravrtti
2543)
From anartha-nivrtti to artha-pravrtti 3 – Understanding Artha
2542)
From anartha-nivrtti to artha-pravrtti 2 – Understanding Nivrtti
2541)
From anartha-nivrtti to artha-pravrtti 1 – Understanding Anartha
2540)
When repressing desires doesn’t work, what to do?
2539)
How do we balance thinking and feeling in spiritual life?
2538)
How can we be grateful to Krishna in all situations?
2537)
Does complete faith in Krishna make us fearless?
2536)
Prabhupada life-story 06 – Taking sannyasa & starting Bhagavatam commentary
2535)
How can bhakti help us overcome our emotional fears?
2534)
Do different people need different percentages of material and spiritual life?
2533)
Sharpening our focus – going beyond piety to spirituality and the mental to the spiritual
2532)
Since something I built my life on collapsed, I have started hating God – what can I do?
2531)
When we decide to change ourselves, how can we know that those changes will be for good?
2530)
Should we try to learn from our past when our perception of our past will always be distorted by our biases?
2529)
How can we identify the voices of the inner critic and the inner daredevil?
2528)
Go beyond your inner critic & your inner daredevil
2527)
FEAR acronym – Learning to deal with our fears
2526)
Why does our mind dwell more on painful memories than on joyful memories?
2525)
We talk a lot about practicing bhakti, but not about practicing morality – why?
2524)
When faced with problems, how to decide how many solutions to try out?
2523)
If someone chants a lot of rounds, but doesn’t behave properly with their spouse, how do we understand?
2522)
I desire to start a new business – is this desire compatible with bhakti?
2521)
How can we have steady faith that Krishna cares for us?
2520)
How can the gopis become proud?
2519)
Prabhupada life-story 05 – Indian Partition – Transcendence amidst turbulence
2518)
Understanding and fulfilling the Bhagavatam’s purpose by cultivating sensitivity
2517)
The Bhagavad-gita is a yoga text for emotional empowerment
2516)
Change your inner world to change your outer world
2515)
Improving Japa 2 – Concentrate by cultivating interest and appreciating importance
2514)
Improving Japa 1 – Understand how and when we get distracted
2513)
How can we be more and more in the present?
2512)
If someone has hurt us grievously, what should we do?
2511)
Should we learn from the past or consider that whatever happened is God’s will?
2510)
When waves of desire come suddenly, do they have some rational cause?
2509)
When, because of our bhakti principles, we can’t eat the food offered by our relatives, how can we avoid alienating them from bhakti?
2508)
Temptation is caused not so much by perception as by provocation
2507)
Six loving exchanges – Opening the heart and reciprocating with the opened heart
2506)
We are defined by the questions we ask – in life, in science and in spirituality
2505)
Prabhupada life-story 04 – League of Devotees – A clique thwarts the promise
2504)
Irrational irritability results from indiscriminate sensuality
2503)
Can machines think?
2502)
Go beyond the mind’s transitory feelings to the heart’s transcendental feelings
2501)
Is depression a mental problem or a medical problem?
2500)
If a devotee familiar to us starts blaspheming our spiritual master, how should we deal with that devotee?
2499)
When our goals are in the future, how can we live in the present?
2498)
In outreach, what needs to come first – knowledge and inspiration or facilities?
2497)
Among knowledge, inspiration and facilities, if we can’t provide all three to others, what is the most important thing to provide?
2496)
Bring out the best you 3 – Spiritual help
2495)
Bring out the best you 2 – Social help
2494)
When we can’t give up our conditionings, is just calling out to Krishna the solution?
2493)
How can we know that we are subconsciously justifying our anger?
2492)
Speaking forcefully often gets people to take things seriously – is such speech angry and to be avoided?
2491)
Bring out your best 1 – Self-help
2490)
Prabhupada life-story 03 – The dedicated disciple takes up the mission
2489)
If someone has hurt us badly, should we tell them that they have hurt us?
2488)
Renunciation doesn’t make devotion attractive – devotion makes renunciation attractive
August 2017
2487)
How can we know whether our wrongdoing is accidental or intentional?
2486)
How is forgiveness related to the modes of material nature?
2485)
If we get dreams of our past profession even after having retired for over ten years, is that good or bad?
2484)
Is retaliation in the mode of passion?
2483)
What is the difference between tolerance and passivity?
2482)
If a rat is chewing at our foot, should we tolerate it?
2481)
How can we better apply what we have read?
2480)
If we don’t understand much on studying scripture, how can we inspire ourselves to study?
2479)
When our services sometimes cause anxiety, how can we understand that devotees are peaceful?
2478)
How can we go from blaming to forgiving?
2477)
From Love Universal to Bhakti Confidential – Gaudiya Vaishnavism Glories 2 – How Karma and Jnana Culminate in Bhakti
2476)
How can we prevent the hurts from our past become our emotional baggage in a future life?
2475)
Can excessive forgiveness lead to weakness?
2474)
What makes us complacent about applying the solution of bhakti to the problem of our known weaknesses?
2473)
The mind is not the problem – the mindset is
2472)
How much can analysis help in controlling desires?
2471)
When Gajendra comes to Krishna because of distress, what is the role of his previous life actions – Hindi?
2470)
Self-help, social help and spiritual help – understanding how they work together
2469)
Prabhupada life-story 02 – From political activist to spiritual activist
2468)
If we like to dress the Deities but also want others to appreciate our dressing, is that self-centeredness?
2467)
While practicing bhakti, should we be concerned about how the world perceives us?
2466)
How can we become less self-centered?
2465)
How can we overcome anger?
2464)
LEAD acronym – 4 Leadership Sutras from Bhagavad-gita
2463)
What is the best way to understand spirituality?
2462)
My friends tell me that engineering studies are a waste of time – should I pursue some other career?
2461)
Those who believe that their mind is their friend become their own enemies
2460)
DEEP acronym – What our phone can teach us about our mind
2459)
OASIS – Five reflections for self-improvement
2458)
Discover the Baahubali within you
2457)
How can we fix the mind on the heart – Hindi?
2456)
If justice needs to be seen to be done, how does this apply when karmic justice gives us results for unknown actions – Hindi?
2455)
How do we deal with over-expecting parents who ask why we have got 95 marks out of 100, not 100
2454)
Can our material progress and spiritual progress go together
2453)
How is the world meant to allow both theists and atheists to justify their beliefs
2452)
Is it right to blame others for our failure
2451)
Do our stars determine whether we become spiritual
2450)
4 lessons about our mind from our phone – Distortion, Discretion, Determination, Devotion
2449)
When too many spiritual apps, sites and books confuse us about what to read or hear, what to do?
2448)
If someone likes to practice bhakti in solitary devotional activities, will they advance more slowly?
2447)
If our family attachments impede our spiritual advancement, how can we be detached and still be responsible?
2446)
Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada: Appreciating the empowering breadth of your trust in Krishna
2445)
When problems trouble us and we can’t put our heart in our service, what can we do?
2444)
How does understanding Krishna’s greatness and sweetness bring submission and affection respectively?
2443)
While studying in college, how can we not identify ourselves as students?
2442)
How can we balance scriptural study and practical service?
2441)
When we practice bhakti culture in our temples or youth centers, are we not practicing spiritual bhakti?
2440)
On holy days, if new people can either fast or do service, what should we encourage them to do?
2439)
If our past bad habits keep dragging us down, what should we do?
2438)
Can we get tangible results in bhakti, as we get in our worldly relationships?
2437)
How can we explain philosophy to those who don’t accept the authority of scripture?
2436)
If spirituality tells us to fast and science tells us to not fast, what should we do?
2435)
Should we be detached from feeling happy when we chant well?
2434)
Prabhupada life-story 01 – A devotionally vibrant childhood
2433)
If while chanting some bad thoughts come in our mind, is that a sin?
2432)
In our offices, how can we be socially involved in contemporary discussions without getting spiritually distracted?
2431)
Does humility mean feeling that we are fallen or does it mean not letting our ego come int the way of our service?
2430)
If a devotee repeatedly struggles in different services, how can we engage that devotee?
2429)
How can we keep fighting against our senses till we get Krishna’s mercy?
2428)
When we can study scripture without doing the Bhakti Shastri course, why is the course needed?
2427)
How can we better remember philosophical points and scriptural verses?
2426)
Is remembering that Krishna is in control the only way we can remember him while working in the world?
2425)
How can we overcome the mind’s habit of contemplating sense objects – Hindi?
2424)
How can we understand our nature – Hindi?
2423)
Can bhakti change a person’s nature – Hindi?
2422)
By what practices can we control the mind – Hindi?
2421)
Why do we sometimes act circumstantially rather than scripturally – Hindi?
2420)
If our intelligence becomes weak, what is the solution – Hindi?
2419)
Appreciating Balarama’s two blessings – Bala and Rama
2418)
Understanding the mind through four animal metaphors 2 – Dog & Sheep – Hindi
2417)
Understanding the mind through four animal metaphors 1 – Horse & Wolf – Hindi
2416)
If we see devotees living materialistically, how can we prevent that from rationalizing our materialism – Hindi?
2415)
How can we remember to process our emotions, not act on them – Hindi?
2414)
How can we overcome worrying habit – Hindi?
2413)
How can we deal with our need for approval while doing good things – Hindi?
2412)
How can bhakti help students to not get too disturbed about their marks – Hindi?
2411)
Is what we are going to get in life determined at birth – Hindi?
2410)
Tap the power of thoughts, don’t be trapped by them – Hindi
2409)
To always remember Krishna practically means to remember that he is the controller of things outside our control – Hindi
July 2017
2408)
Spiritualizing our relationships 5 – Focus more on our intentions than on others’ dispositions
2407)
What is the conscious mind and the subconscious mind?
2406)
When anger arises, what uddipana can we use to control it?
2405)
If we see devotees’ love for us as Krishna’s love coming through them, are we not depersonalizing devotees?
2404)
If others’ love for us is Krishna’s love coming through them, does that apply to their anger too?
2403)
How can a devotee work in an anti-devotional profession that goes against the four regulative principles?
2402)
I was an honest disbeliever instead of being a hypocritical believer, yet I suffered – why?
2401)
Is forgiving those who have hurt us necessary for moving on in our life?
2400)
How can we persevere in bhakti over the years when our transformation becomes gradual and not so easily perceivable?
2399)
On hearing sweet kirtans, is the happiness we experience spiritual or material?
2398)
How can we be both assertive about getting things done while being sensitive to others’ feelings?
2397)
When we try to help someone by pointing out their mistake and they see it as an attack on them, what can we do?
2396)
How do we understand that the spiritual world has no physical location?
2395)
Can people with an empty stomach practice bhakti – shouldn’t material needs be fulfilled first?
2394)
Don’t let the mind send the intelligence on a vacation
2393)
How can we harmonize ourselves with our situation when say our boss works by opposite principles?
2392)
What does having faith amidst problems mean practically?
2391)
How can we avoid reinforcing our biases by discussing delicate issues with others who have similar biases?
2390)
Our addictions originate not in uncontrollable desires but in unmet needs
2389)
Even after practicing bhakti, we explode at people who irritate us – what can we do?
2388)
If we feel guilty because of having exploded at someone, how can we overcome that guilt?
2387)
How does bhakti relate with being present in the present?
2386)
What is wrong with seeking the desirable and avoiding the undesirable?
2385)
Is being emotionally invested in Krishna different from being emotionally invested in services to Krishna?
2384)
Is it easier to go from aversion to renunciation than from attachment to renunciation?
2383)
For preaching, is it enough to simply hear classes of senior devotees and repeat?
2382)
Should we take food offered at gurudwara if it contains onion-garlic?
2381)
We are never alone – we are always with our thoughts
2380)
Does the subtle body dissolve on purification?
2379)
After practicing bhakti for many years, our enthusiasm goes down and we just go through the motions – how can we know whether we are actually going towards Krishna?
2378)
If I connect quickly with someone, does that mean we had a past-life connection?
2377)
Do like-minded people become more understanding or does understanding make people more life-minded?
2376)
Does ignoring situations solve problems?
2375)
How can we control anger?
2374)
How can we keep the mind in the present?
2373)
When we get bad experiences repeatedly, should we just entrust everything to Krishna?
2372)
How is always thinking of Krishna practical?
2371)
When fantasy distracts us from reality, let reality distract us from fantasy
2370)
Is constantly thinking of Krishna and doing our work an example of multitasking – how can it be done practically?
2369)
How can we understand that whatever is happening to us is due to the weakness of our heart?
2368)
What kind of affirmations are most effective?
2367)
Even after we learn to observe our mind, why can’t we stay on as the observer?
2366)
How can we become more mindful?
2365)
If a bad relationship has made me paranoid about relationships, what can I do?
2364)
How can we prevent our career from interfering with our relationships?
2363)
Metaphorical holy name meditations 2 – 3 ways the holy name stimulates deeper thought
2362)
What are the dos and donts to develop devotional consciousness?
2361)
How can we practically apply – don’t be angry with the instrument of your karma?
2360)
How can we differentiate between the voices of the mind, the intelligence and the Supersoul?
2359)
If this world is a place of misery, why does it have so much pleasure too?
2358)
If dedicated senior devotees face great distress, new devotees ask what is the point of practicing bhakti – how to answer?
2357)
How can we maintain the standard of purity that Prabhupada established?
2356)
If parents have been brought up in India and their children in the US, how can they harmonize their differing cultural expectations?
2355)
What to do if our material ambitions are stronger than our spiritual intentions?
2354)
Why do we sometimes feel more agitated after starting bhakti practice?
2353)
Is there proof of reincarnation from animal body to human body?
2352)
I have a disagreeable boss who is also atheistic – how can I deal with him?
2351)
If a relationship is severely strained but it has to go on, what to do?
2350)
Spiritualizing our relationships 3 – Learning to separate people from their behavior
2349)
Is our nature never changeable – Hindi?
2348)
If people can’t change their nature, how can they improve – Hindi?
2347)
When facing problems, how can we go beyond blaming others and blaming our own past karma – Hindi?
2346)
Why do we so easily forgive ourselves – Hindi?
2345)
Why don’t people remember past lives in other species?
2344)
How can we decide when to give up one service and take up some other service?
2343)
If devotees are becoming lethargic in professional life, should we encourage them to aim high?
2342)
Should a brahmachari change his ashrama if his astrological chart is unfavorable for renunciation?
2341)
Which is better – learning with the intelligence or learning with the mind?
2340)
When a problem goes on for a long time and our attempts to solve it only aggravate it, what should we do – Hindi?
2339)
How can we get the mind out of a problem when we need to think about the problem to solve it – Hindi?
2338)
Should we do a service that pleases our authority but upsets other devotees?
2337)
If we as managers take some strong decisions, some devotees feel hurt and hit back at us – should we take such decisions?
2336)
Does responsibility mean doing whatever we are told to do or doing big projects under instruction?
2335)
How can we know whether we are surrendered?
2334)
Dealing with conflicts by dealing with the mind – Hindi
2333)
When passion gains domination, it sends reason on vacation
2332)
If we don’t direct contemplation, fascination and dedication to Krishna, wherever they get directed will become our addiction
2331)
Who is our worst enemy?
2330)
When someone’s conditioning troubles us, but they expect us to continue tolerating, what should we do?
2329)
What is the difference between karma-yoga and bhakti-yoga – Marathi
2328)
Why was Lord Chaitanya harsh with Chota Haridas and lenient with Balabhadra Bhattacharya?
2327)
Can we get rid of unwanted thoughts by neglect?
2326)
How can we stay enthusiastic in a service where results take a long time to come?
2325)
How does the example of sometimes serving and sometimes receiving in a tennis match apply practically in the brahmachari ashram?
2324)
Which is more dangerous – failure of the mind or failure of the intelligence?
2323)
How do we differentiate between ego and self-confidence?
2322)
In parts of India where people eat meat extensively, how can we attract them to bhakti?
2321)
If the impressions from past failures push us towards failure again, how do we break free?
2320)
How do we keep our spiritual focus while living up to various social expectations?
2319)
We don’t know our strengths and the social mirror distorts our self-conception further – where then can we begin knowing ourselves?
2318)
When different people with different mental frames discuss a problem, why is a particular person’s solution accepted?
2317)
Apart from positive-negative thinking, does past karma comprise barriers in our destiny?
2316)
Deflecting attention doesn’t decrease addiction – develop connection
2315)
While putting Krishna first, when devotees neglect others, how can good devotee-relationships develop?
2314)
If someone has helped us in our pre-devotional life, but is now unfavorable to our bhakti, how should we interact with them?
2313)
How can we strengthen our relationship with Krishna?
2312)
Is it ok to have material desires?
2311)
When we have more things in control, we feel less dependent on Krishna – what to do?
2310)
If prolonged problems leave us disheartened, how can we regain our morale – Hindi?
2309)
When problems stay on for a long time, how can we avoid losing faith – Hindi?
2308)
How can we stay devotionally enthusiastic amidst financial difficulties – Hindi?
2307)
Acceptance is the beginning of transcendence – where all does this apply – Hindi?
2306)
How to surrender amidst different and difficult situations – Hindi
2305)
How can we be devotionally conscious when working with materialistic people in a hospital?
2304)
When we deal with dissatisfaction, how can we know whether we are acting by Krishna’s guidance or our mind’s conditioning?
2303)
If a service is incompatible with our nature, what should we do?
2302)
How do we differentiate between needs and wants?
2301)
How can we practice austerity of the mind?
2300)
When we don’t get an intimation of our death, as did Parikshit, how should we practice bhakti?
2299)
How can we conquer all our fears?
2298)
How do we help people who know about karma but think it won’t apply to me?
2297)
When we are provoked, we get angry despite our resolutions not to do so – what to do?
2296)
Spiritualizing our relationships 2 – To improve relationships, decrease expectation and increase contribution
2295)
Whom are we giving our mind – Hindi
2294)
Is an unfavourable family situation Krishna’s arrangement – should we accept or reject that situation – Hindi?
2293)
If feelings of satisfaction deter us from doing difficult duties, what should we do – Hindi?
2292)
If we give up all emotions, then what will motivate us to work – Hindi?
2291)
Is thinking negatively the default setting of the mind – Hindi?
2290)
If we feel fear about losing our loved ones, how can we overcome that fear?
2289)
Is it natural to have expectations – does spiritual life change that?
2288)
If someone helps us but makes us feel bad about having taken their help, should we keep a distance from them?
2287)
Is there a fine line between when matter takes us towards Krishna and when it takes us away from Krishna?
2286)
If we practice bhakti simply to look good in others’ eyes, how can we advance?
2285)
How can we remember that we are devotees when we are with materialistic people?
2284)
If we surrender to Krishna because of fear that we will face problems otherwise, is that surrender genuine?
2283)
After practicing spirituality, we feel less materially insecure – does that mean we are spiritually advanced or are irresponsible?
2282)
If we can’t decide whether a particular desire is good or bad, what should we do?
2281)
How can we connect our IT job with Krishna?
2280)
If our children don’t become devotees, are we failing in our primary duty?
2279)
Aren’t parents who want their children to succeed in competitions encouraging materialistic over-endeavor?
2278)
Should we as parents encourage our children to participate in competitions for discovering and developing talents?
June 2017
2277)
How can we redirect our attraction from Krishna’s sparks to Krishna, the whole?
2276)
How can we apply the principle of becoming angry when a devotee is blasphemed?
2275)
What should be the basis of our self-worth?
2274)
Is controlling our thoughts a skill that can be developed?
2273)
If after praying we take a decision and it turns out to be wrong, has Krishna misled us?
2272)
When we pray to Krishna to give us the strength to serve him, how can we recognize his reciprocation?
2271)
Pandavas tolerated initially and retaliated eventually – how can we decide when to tolerate and when to retaliate?
2270)
Spiritualizing our relationships 1 – The more despiritualized we are, the more desensitized we become
2269)
If someone justifies an illicit relationship by saying that their spouse is unloving, how do we respond?
2268)
If our loved one is addicted to tobacco and still wears kanthi mala, how can we help them?
2267)
Why is remembrance of Krishna so important in bhakti ?
2266)
How can we better appreciate the relevance of spiritual classes as well as academic studies?
2265)
How can we make people in the lower modes interested in Krishna?
2264)
How will avoiding the association of agitating people help if agitation is in our karma?
2263)
Use goodness to practice bhakti and correct our disconnect with reality
2262)
When problems drag our emotions away from Krishna, how can we focus on him?
2261)
What externals can help us stay spiritually grounded?
2260)
How can we prevent our leisure time from being consumed by worrying?
2259)
How can we increase our remembrance of Krishna when we come to the temple?
2258)
Isn’t it better to read Prabhupada books instead of wasting time on social media?
2257)
To traverse the path to self-improvement, balance aspiration with awareness
2256)
Metaphorical Meditations on the Holy Name 1 – The Holy Name grounds consciousness in the source of its source
2255)
Be aware of not just the destination but also the starting point
2254)
If we feel more devotionally connected with Krishna while hearing than while taking darshan, what should we do?
2253)
What is the reference point for saying that the soul is small?
2252)
Why do we feel sleepy during chanting, but not kirtan or prasad?
2251)
How can we stop daydreaming?
2250)
What is the spiritual perspective on death due to dowry harassment apart from past karma?
2249)
How to see spiritually the grief I feel after my mother has passed away?
2248)
How is detachment empowering?
2247)
What does fixing the mind on the lotus feet of Krishna mean?
2246)
We can’t replace the mind, but we can re-place it
2245)
How can we overcome the mind’s rationalizations?
2244)
If the mind is not a person, who proposes desires to us?
2243)
Is the mind personal or impersonal?
2242)
If the software is compared to the mind, what is the intelligence compared to?
2241)
How is controlling the mind by focusing it on Krishna different from focusing it on some material object?
2240)
How to see God in this world
2239)
Spiritualizing our relationships – Hindi
2238)
Is self-respect the same as ego – Hindi?
2237)
How can we be Krishna conscious when we are not staying with devotees in a youth center – Hindi?
2236)
What is the difference between purity and goodness – Hindi?
2235)
While doing our service, is seeing everything in connection with Krishna necessary?
2234)
How can we avoid getting caught in petty things?
2233)
Don’t waste your mental energy on people on whom you won’t waste your time Gita 11.55
2232)
How do tantrics get special power?
2231)
How can we go beyond being exclusivist and pluralist to becoming inclusivist?
2230)
When so many humans are doing bad karma today, how is the human population increasing?
2229)
How can people from other religions realize that they are servants of Krishna?
2228)
When Krishna is the source of both material and spiritual worlds, which world comes first?
2227)
Does dharma mean religion?
2226)
Within a religion, when there are many paths, how do we know our path?
2225)
What is the Vedic perspective of Buddhism?
2224)
How is Shankaracharya’s path to be seen in the inclusive understanding of dharma?
2223)
When sanatana-dharma is inclusive, why are most Hindus pluralists?
2222)
When a bad thing happens, does optimism mean seeing it as the best thing that could have happened?
2221)
Does positive thinking mean that we shouldn’t think about the past – then how will we learn from it?
2220)
Before Nirjala Ekadashi, can we take some juices or pills to increase our fasting capacity?
2219)
How to cultivate positive thinking in bhakti
2218)
How can we be always surrendered to Krishna?
2217)
How can we know whether the mind’s story is false or real?
2216)
How can we know when we are planning and when the mind is fear-mongering?
2215)
If when our mind tells a story and we consult a friend whose mind is telling the same story, how can we avoid illusion?
2214)
The mind tells the most stories during chanting – how to counter?
2213)
Why does devotion change our mind’s tendencies temporarily?
2212)
Does chanting require effort or does chanting make us happy?
2211)
How can we focus on chanting when the mind wanders?
2210)
How can we balance giving due priority to chanting with other important services?
2209)
Talk show – How is the Gita relevant today?
2208)
If people anger us, how can we control ourselves?
2207)
Does a good result indicate intelligence-guided action and a bad result indicate mind-driven action?
2206)
If during book distribution, people are abusive, how can we stay calm?
2205)
How can we make the right choices within bhakti?
2204)
How can we know that the purpose we are pursuing is the best purpose?
2203)
How can we prevent our emotions from affecting our decisions?
2202)
How can we be practically grounded on the spiritual level?
2201)
Can we fulfill all the purposes for our existing in this world?
2200)
Talk Show – Understanding Karma and Destiny
2199)
How can I overcome procrastinating tendency?
2198)
Talk show – What your phone can teach you about your mind 1
2197)
Gita 16.24 Religious tolerance is better fostered by deeper religious adherence than by greater religious indifference
May 2017
2196)
How to respond when others serve in ways that don’t make sense to us – should we criticize them?
2195)
Do interruptions in our remembrance of Krishna occur because of circumstances or consciousness?
2194)
What standard of Deity worship should householders follow?
2193)
When we are in a position of guiding others, how can we know how much to control them and how much to let them go?
2192)
How can we avoid discouragement when our sincere service is repeatedly frustrated?
2191)
From a spiritual perspective, what causes addiction and how can it be dealt with?
2190)
If we are already middle-aged, do we still have enough time to counter our bad karma by practicing bhakti?
2189)
Why do movie songs stay in our memory much more than devotional songs?
2188)
How can we get in our next life the devotional facilities we don’t have in this life?
2187)
If senior devotees chanting for many years still have conditionings, does that mean conditionings are stronger than the holy name?
2186)
When doing our prescribed service deprives us of devotee association, what should we do?
2185)
When someone hurts us, how can we avoid becoming vengeful and stay focused on Krishna?
2184)
If someone has hurt us and we don’t have the courage to tell them, what can we do?
2183)
When anger comes, how can we calm ourselves?
2182)
How can we avoid impulsive reaction to hostile people?
2181)
If we fail in our resolution after sticking to it for some time, how to avoid becoming discouraged?
2180)
How to deal with relatively harmless addictions?
2179)
How can we correct the bad habits that we are unaware of?
2178)
What changed your life trajectory?
2177)
How can we cheer up a family member disheartened by a prolonged bad health?
2176)
How can we increase our attraction to reading Prabhupada’s books?
2175)
What to do if we feel like being in the temple constantly but can’t?
2174)
How can Krishna be our top priority when our studies need to be our priority?
2173)
What to do if we get too many services and our sadhana goes down?
2172)
How are the eight stages of ashtanga-yoga related with bhakti-yoga?
2171)
What to do if the calm got from attending spiritual programs disappears when we face the world’s problems?
2170)
How can we become aware of our default settings?
2169)
Is touching the digital Bhagavatam in our phone equivalent to touching the book Bhagavatam?
2168)
In future, when physical books are replaced by digital books, how will we distribute books?
2167)
Can Krishna as a super-admin change all the settings of our mind in one go?
2166)
How do we differentiate between accepting the presence of our inclinations and pandering to them?
2165)
As we advance, will our physical needs go down to Raghunatha Dasa Goswami’s level?
2164)
How can we avoid taking shelter of something temporary that gives us relief?
2163)
What can we do if we feel bored while chanting?
2162)
To change vision, change intention by study and association
2161)
Let go of the burden of hate
2160)
If because of physical pain we can’t come for the morning program, are we listening to our mind?
2159)
Isn’t using intelligence to control the mind paradoxical?
2158)
How can we get relief by letting go of things and still be responsible?
2157)
If others become insecure because of us, what can we do?
2156)
How can we as spiritual agents better connect with each other?
2155)
How can we be spiritual – tolerant, gentle – in today’s corporate world?
2154)
Are there any practical tools for overcoming anxiety?
2153)
Understanding Destiny 2 – Destiny determines the scope of our free will, not our free will
2152)
Understanding Destiny 1 – What is pre-determined and what isn’t
2151)
What are the symptoms of a self-realized person?
2150)
Is praying to Krishna a part of our karma?
2149)
Can someone be destined for failure?
2148)
If a tide pushes us towards success, is that tide Krishna?
2147)
If we are destined to succeed, will destiny make us act for success?
2146)
Krishna is our protector, even when he seems to be the afflictor
2145)
Did Vidura depart because of unbearable criticism or frustration at his counsel being neglected?
2144)
Was Vidura irresponsible in departing when his family was about to fight the worst war of their life?
2143)
How important is it for we ourselves to be detached?
2142)
How do we convey the importance of the don’ts in bhakti?
2141)
What is a healthy attitude towards guilt induced after sense indulgence?
2140)
Why does our inspiration for service rise on hearing and fall when material responsibilities come up?
2139)
Pingala got realization despite having no spiritual environment – why don’t we get realization despite having spiritual environment?
2138)
Spiritual Perspectives on Material Beauty – 2 – Should we be disgusted with the body?
2137)
What is the difference between intellect and intelligence?
2136)
Bhakti-yoga is the balancer of our emotional and rational sides
2135)
Can we desire to have a child like Lord Rama?
2134)
How can beauty be used in Krishna’s service?
2133)
Why does scripture say that the sould doesn’t experience any emotion?
2132)
Managing stress coming from disorganization, disposition, destiny and decision
2131)
Spiritual Perspectives on Material Beauty 1 – Bring out each other’s higher side, not lower side
2130)
Appreciating bhakti as a spiritual science
2129)
Are pure souls covered by the subtle body?
2128)
If we fail in a field, can we infer that field is not our nature?
2127)
How much anxiety should we take up while being ambitious in our professional life?
2126)
Do advanced devotees who know Krishna is in control also feel anxiety?
2125)
How do we deal with the anxiety caused by inability to deliver what we are expected to do?
2124)
How to deal with senior devotees who make life difficult for everyone in a community?
2123)
Among devotees when will love for Krishna transform into love for all living beings?
2122)
When difficulties force us to surrender to Krishna, where is our free will?
2121)
When Maya presents options, some temptations are not options at all – why?
2120)
Will tempting desires ever go away or will they stay lifelong?
2119)
How can we keep our spiritual intentions strong?
2118)
Does Krishna test us according to our capacity or beyond our capacity too?
2117)
Gita 13.08 – Disrespecting ourselves doesn’t make us humble – respecting something bigger than ourselves does
2116)
From Maya to Lila 2 – The desired may be an illusion, the desirer isn’t
2115)
From Maya to Lila 1 – Illusion originates not in the object, but in the subject
2114)
How can we help our children to make good choices amidst a degraded culture?
2113)
How do we counter moral relativism with those who don’t accept scriptural authority?
2112)
How can we feel that Krishna is the doer, not that we are the doers?
2111)
Does absorption in Krishna require sixteen rounds chanting?
2110)
How can we rise from cultural bhakti to spiritual bhakti?
2109)
How to develop our relationship with Krishna
2108)
What if we feel attracted to serving Krishna in our role in this world, but not in the spiritual world as his associate?
2107)
Do soldiers who die while fighting for their country attain higher planets?
2106)
Is it good to be a nationalist and a Krishna devotee?
2105)
How can we counter the mind’s wandering while reading scripture?
2104)
Should society dictate the criteria for when to take legal action and when to forgive?
2103)
Can we tell the truth selectively if that helps someone?
2102)
How to absorb ourselves in Krishna instead of problems?
2101)
Do we need intelligence to deal with resentment?
2100)
How can we deal with material desires in bhakti?
2099)
Why does Krishna sanction people’s doing bad karma – why doesn’t he just control their free will?
2098)
When results are determined by our past karma, can results be used to evaluate the soundness of our decisions?
2097)
What is the difference between processing emotions through self-help principles and through bhakti principles?
2096)
How can we overcome our false ego and rise from our material identity to our spiritual identity?
2095)
If we are broken by many past hurts, how can we overcome that casting?
2094)
When a relative lets us down repeatedly, how can we trust them?
2093)
From Grudging to Gratitude QA 2
2092)
From Grudging to Gratitude QA 1
2091)
From Grudging to Gratitude 4 – Forgiving internally and externally by focusing on Krishna
2090)
From Grudging to Gratitude 3 – Learn to re-interpret reality devotionally
2089)
From Grudging to Gratitude 2 – See beyond the immediate cause of suffering
2088)
From Grudging to Gratitude 1 – Grudging is like driving with brakes pressed
2087)
Can you explain with examples how we can tolerate?
2086)
How should we deal with anti-devotional activities happening in our environment?
2085)
How can we give up undesirable habits that we keep relapsing into?
2084)
Don’t just stand – take a stand
2083)
From will and power to willpower
2082)
How can we sense better how a person is going to behave and prepare our response better?
2081)
How can we share our spirituality with others without being preachy?
2080)
How can we decide whether to try to change something or to let go?
2079)
Is minimizing distress not like pushing problems under the carpet?
2078)
When new people feel disturbed by seeing groupism in our movement, how can we explain to them?
2077)
If our conditionings keep popping up what can we do?
2076)
How can we help temple visitors to become serious devotees?
2075)
How can we adapt without watering down?
2074)
When Krishna is not directly with us how can we know his will?
2073)
How can we chant purely?
2072)
What is wrong with practicing bhakti because the world is dreadful?
2071)
Among the four categories of people who come to Krishna does any one stay more than others?
2070)
How can we know whether our emotions are coming from the modes or from our bhakti practices?
2069)
How can we explain the rationale for letting go in some things to our nondevotee friends?
2068)
When there is disunity, should we just surrender and wait for Krishna to restore unity or do something to restore unity?
2067)
If people speak in anger, doesn’t it reflect unfiltered what is in their heart?
2066)
If we are not spiritually advanced, do the problems we face come from our past karma or by Krishnas arrangement?
2065)
How can we stay spiritually focused and respond appropriately amidst situations of distrust?
2064)
Does knowledge correlate with being judgmental?
2063)
How can we prevent or correct misunderstandings among devotees?
2062)
How can we deal with people with nondevotional values?
2061)
If others misjudge us, what should we do?
2060)
How can we overcome depression caused by frustration of expectations?
2059)
How can we let go of the past and the future, and focus on the present?
2058)
Does our desire for freedom from parents come from resentment towards them or from a genuine need for self-expression?
2057)
If traditional cultures aren’t against love, why are love marriages banned in ISKCON?
2056)
How can peer pressure be avoided?
2055)
Can we have hobbies that are neither spiritual nor sinful?
2054)
How can we serve purely?
2053)
If we let go of things, are we being cowardly?
2052)
Does satsang strengthen our buddhi – Hindi?
2051)
Select emotions with intelligence – Hindi
2050)
Cultivating the strength to let go
2049)
If our actions unintentionally hurt others, will we get the reaction?
2048)
When money provides all comforts, why is spiritual life needed?
2047)
Amidst today’s financial insecurity, how can we decide how much accumulation is enough?
2046)
When bhakti practice hasn’t yet changed our disposition, how can we take sound decisions?
2045)
Do we need to sometimes prioritize the spiritual over the material or the material over the spiritual?
2044)
Philosophy makes sense intellectually, but doesn’t sink emotionally – what to do?
2043)
Is crowding desires out of our mind not superficially distracting?
2042)
Is working hard and getting promoted in our job good?
2041)
How can we identify our natural inclinations?
2040)
What is wrong with sense gratification?
2039)
How can we offer criticism constructively?
2038)
While seeking realization, how can we avoid speculation?
2037)
Attitude in outreach 2 – Explain the philosophy before the morality – Be respectfully compassionate
2036)
Attitude in outreach 1 – Present the product before the process – Be a role model
2035)
How can we move on after painful conflicts with devotees?
2034)
How can we be detached when we want to offer the best service to Krishna?
2033)
How can we control impulsive behavior?
2032)
Baahubali – A Spiritual Perspective
2031)
How can we know whether our decisions are right or wrong?
2030)
If strong speaking alienates people, should we still speak strongly or speak sensitively?
2029)
During chanting, how much is thinking of other related things acceptable?
2028)
If people are born together in a family because of similar karma, why are some family members so different?
2027)
What is causeless mercy – how can we qualify for it – can it come without initiation?
2026)
From mindless accumulation to mindful realization
2025)
9 forms of devotional service part 2 – Pada Sevanam Archanam Vandanam Dasyam Sakhyam Atma-Nivedanam
2024)
9 forms of devotional service part 1 – Shravanam Kirtanam Smaranam
April 2017
2023)
Is the holy name scientific, ethical or relational?
2022)
How can a newly married couple new to bhakti strengthen their relationship?
2021)
What is the spiritual recourse amidst abusive relationships?
2020)
How do we have free will – how much can we use it?
2019)
Baahubali – A Spiritual Perspective
2018)
Focus on life’s big why, not everyday’s small whys
2017)
Understanding how Krishna is everything and controls everything even amidst worldly sufferings
2016)
If Prabhupada knew that certain projects weren’t going to succeed, why did he encourage devotees to do those projects?
2015)
How can we help others to not see problems at the bodily level?
2014)
How can we connect with Krishna tangibly when distracted by worldly objects?
2013)
How can we realize that we are different from our mind?
2012)
How can we transform practice into realization?
2011)
How can devotees mistreated by their seniors avoid discouragement?
2010)
How to respond when we are corrected by others?
2009)
Should we use the sandwich method when correcting others?
2008)
How does regulated devotion transform into spontaneous devotion?
2007)
Is revelation of Krishna’s all-attractiveness analogous to his mercy?
2006)
How can we study scripture, not just read it?
2005)
Is investing money to increase it over-endeavor?
2004)
When we do a service well, if people label us as proud, what can we do?
2003)
How can we avoid self-acceptance of our abilities from becoming false ego?
2002)
While chanting, can we hear kirtan?
2001)
Cultivate aversion to faultfinding
2000)
Seek not a pleasure-filled life; seek a purpose-filled life
1999)
Seek not a problem-free life – seek a purpose-filled life
1998)
If we help someone but they don’t help us in return, should we continue to help?
1997)
Knowing when to endeavor and when to surrender
1996)
Given that the idea of trans-moral can be misused, can it ever be applied?
1995)
Can you illustrate the principle of trans-moral actions?
1994)
Playing games for relaxation – which mode does it fall in?
1993)
Despite practicing bhakti and cultivating goodness, we remain passionate – what to do?
1992)
How can we deal with our inner critic?
1991)
On failing to achieve our goal, should we persevere in that goal or change it?
1990)
How to avoid relaxing into worldly enjoyment after doing our service wholeheartedly?
1989)
How can we avoid struggling in vain to control situations that are not in our control?
1988)
If someone has done something wrong, isn’t it better to tell them straight instead of pausing and speaking later?
1987)
What causes timidity – how can we overcome it?
1986)
How can we control our mind, especially during chanting?
1985)
Choosing our mental battles
1984)
How do we balance between chanting and getting knowledge?
1983)
We chastise someone out of love, but it spoils the relationship – what to do?
1982)
What is the consequence of the offense of inattentive chanting?
1981)
Should we attribute problems in daily life to our poor chanting?
1980)
How to replace envious thoughts with loving thoughts?
1979)
How can we control our emotions?
1978)
Why is scriptural knowledge needed in daily life?
1977)
Misunderstandings spread like cancer – beware
1976)
How can we overcome our past conditionings?
1975)
Will our conscience ever become stronger than the mind?
1974)
To anchor our consciousness in Krishna, do we need external calm or can we directly get inner calm?
1973)
If we don’t have devotee association, how can we practice bhakti?
1972)
How to overcome anxieties about issues that have life-changing consequences?
1971)
How can we be concerned but not disturbed – is it simply by faith?
1970)
How can we become intense in our chanting?
1969)
To master the mind, become conscious of your consciousness
1968)
When past karma blocks our bhakti, what can we do?
1967)
How do I choose my spiritual master?
1966)
Amidst problems, should we just let Krishna solve them or should we work to solve them?
1965)
While making choices, how can we take Krishna’s shelter?
1964)
When our sadhana oscillates because of material ups and downs, what can we do?
1963)
Overcome anxiety by focusing on state of thoughts, not state of things
1962)
Self-control Strategies – Contemporary analysis of Nectar of Instruction Text 1
1961)
Is destiny determined by past karma alone or by present karma too?
1960)
When is our friends’ influence helpful and when unhelpful?
1959)
Should we learn from problems or move away from them?
1958)
Is our intelligence destined – does it determine when we take to spiritual life?
1957)
Is our marital partner destined?
1956)
If destiny evens out in the long run, then does it really matter?
1955)
Devotional practices calm our mind, but only briefly – what to do?
1954)
Does our past impede our bhakti – how can we overcome those impediments?
1953)
Why was Vyasadeva dissatisfied even after writing Vedic literature that glorify Krishna?
1952)
Do we need to always feel existential dissatisfaction to practice bhakti intensely?
1951)
How can we be emotionally connected with Krishna without becoming sentimental?
1950)
With what purpose should we read Srila Prabhupada’s books?
1949)
How can we make a plan that is effective even if Krishna’s plan turns out to be different?
1948)
How can we say no to the things we like?
1947)
Don’t hear the mind’s story – hear Krishna’s story
1946)
Let incidental dissatisfaction trigger existential dissatisfaction
1945)
PURE acronym – 4 attitudes for progressing in spiritual life
1944)
God loves me – is this just a psychological feeling or a spiritual reality?
1943)
Do relationships interfere with our inner growth?
1942)
All loving relationships in this world are temporary – what does that mean?
1941)
How do we know which desires are healthy and which unhealthy?
1940)
Should we pray to God for things or just be content with what we have?
1939)
How can we persist in our resolutions?
1938)
When we face much worldly anxiety, how can we practice spirituality?
1937)
How are we non-sectarian when our practices are isolating?
1936)
How can we advance spiritually while having family and job responsibilities?
1935)
Does pursuing knowledge reflect materialistic consciousness – will it keep us dissatisfied?
1934)
What are simple steps to fix our mental software?
1933)
Where do our fears originate – are they just conceptions?
1932)
Focus on the best in the past, be present in the present and shape the future
1931)
Although material things are temporary, those things matter to us – how can we balance our material and spiritual side?
1930)
How can we make our subconscious choices wise choices?
1929)
Go beyond fight or flight to sight
1928)
Overcoming resentment amidst difficult situations
1927)
Managing the mind – we control, Krishna converts
1926)
While choosing, how can we know which desire is coming from external influences and which from internal inspiration?
1925)
How can we choose rightly among various religions?
1924)
Why do some good devotees suddenly do some terrible things?
1923)
Sometimes our actions don’t produce results, but do those results manifest eventually?
1922)
How can we trust Krishna when he is so unpredictable?
1921)
Why would anyone be tempted to be discouraged?
1920)
Can focusing on our intention impede creativity?
1919)
What is the root of our procrastinating tendency?
1918)
What is the meaning of life?
1917)
How long does it take to experience lasting love – what about the love we find in this world?
1916)
What are the best books to start our spiritual study?
1915)
How can we avoid being affected by things not in our control?
1914)
Maintaining standards while cultivating sensitivity
1913)
Why is devotee association sometimes more stressful and misunderstanding-prone than nondevotee association?
1912)
Sometimes devotee association agitates us – then how can we feel sheltered by it?
1911)
If we can’t follow certain standards while practically living in the world, how should we adjust?
1910)
Channeling our dissatisfaction constructively
1909)
What can we do about fears that are not useful?
1908)
Why is initiation so important?
1907)
What is the difference between fear and fearfulness?
1906)
How can we know who is our real guru?
1905)
If we see problems as small, won’t we neglect serious problems?
1904)
Are problems relative – they are big for one person, small for another?
1903)
Focus on conscious intention, not circumstantial emotion
1902)
Anxiety Management
1901)
Should we be pessimistic about material life to progress in spiritual life?
1900)
Does destiny determine whether a child will live till forty or also what will happen to him at that age?
1899)
Our material needs are like painkillers – necessary but not sufficient
1898)
Is everything in life pre-determined?
1897)
If we work hard, doesn’t that hard work become the cause of our positive destiny?
1896)
How do free will and destiny interact in our life?
1895)
Understanding how karma provides justice and Krishna provides mercy
1894)
Was Ajamila’s calling out to Vishnu an utterance or a remembrance?
1893)
How can we organize ourselves to best serve Krishna?
1892)
How can we encourage daydreamers to do something practical?
1891)
Understanding how dharma culminates in prema
1890)
Materialism makes material life joyless and pointless
1889)
How can we describe spirituality to new people in 2-3 sentences?
1888)
Can we drink without becoming drunk?
1887)
How can we inspire ourselves to chant when we don’t feel any immediate benefits?
1886)
Inner power means to act intelligently, not impulsively
1885)
While speaking from shastra, should we consider what people will feel about it?
1884)
How can we decide whether to focus on material life or on spiritual life?
1883)
How can we integrate in bhakti a profession that is not directly usable in bhakti?
1882)
In dealing with our desires through indulgence in householder life, isn’t there a danger that the desires may not go away?
1881)
If someone is spiritually unreceptive, does the sincerity of our prayers determine whether they become receptive?
1880)
How can we spiritually help those in totally materialistic degraded life?
1879)
When the mind wanders off, how can we become more aware of its wandering faster?
1878)
When should one decide to become a full-time monk for serving Krishna?
1877)
When our values are different from partying professionals, how can we set an example in our material life?
1876)
Spirituality changes how we perceive, process and pursue
1875)
If we feel social pressure to do some service other than what we feel inspired to do, which service should we choose?
1874)
We all need role models – then what does we shouldn’t become xerox copies of others mean?
1873)
What does spirituality have to say about modern cosmological knowledge?
1872)
What is the difference between walking away from problems and running away from them?
1871)
How can we know whether the inner voice comes from the mind or the intelligence?
1870)
If someone insults us but we don’t feel angry whereas others feel we should be angry, what is happening to us?
1869)
How can we sustain our resolutions in spiritual life?
1868)
How do we decide when to confront a problem and when to accept it as destiny
1867)
Shouldn’t love for Krishna soften devotees’ heart and make them gentler?
1866)
How do we see when senior devotees act inappropriately and rationalize it based on their seniority?
1865)
Should we choose a career based on our nature or on our parents’ expectation?
1864)
Are scriptural models of duties to be implemented as it is today – should children obey their parents just as Rama obeyed Dasharatha?
1863)
QA with Central New Jersey devotees
1862)
QA on Living spiritually in today’s world
1861)
From misunderstanding to understanding – Rama katha 3
1860)
From misunderstanding to understanding – Rama katha 2
1859)
Two lives, one purpose
March 2017
1858)
External miracles don’t change us – internal choices do
1857)
Are we forgetting the key downstairs?
1856)
What your phone can teach you about your mind 4 – Let bhakti change your memory
1855)
What your phone can teach you about your mind 3 – Check your energy drainers
1854)
Cultivate aggressive gratitude
1853)
What your phone can teach you about your mind 2 – Hardware improvement doesn’t solve software problems
1852)
What your phone can teach you about your mind 1 – Deal with your default settings maturely
1851)
In which service should we start fighting our inclination to the path of least resistance?
1850)
When our loved ones suffer, we suffer – then how does love bring happiness?
1849)
When our thoughts start becoming negative, how can we flip them to positive?
1848)
How can we insulate ourselves from negative people?
1847)
When we are troubled by controversies in Krishna’s movement, should we try to tackle them or just focus on our service?
1846)
Seek self-affirmation through what you do for others, not what others do for you
1845)
Redefining freedom
1844)
Taking responsibility for our spiritual advancement
1843)
Go beyond testing Krishna to tasting Krishna
1842)
Can we love someone whom we hate?
1841)
How can we balance between submission and overdependence?
1840)
Chances, Changes, Choices – Making Life’s Big Decisions
1839)
Matters that matter more than matter
1838)
How can we practice bhakti in today’s competitive world?
1837)
How can we prevent repeated falls from shaking our faith in bhakti?
1836)
How can we deal with friends who hurt us?
1835)
How can we know that our service is pleasing Krishna?
1834)
Understanding what is our quota in material life – 2
1833)
Resist the temptation to be discouraged
1832)
Learn to see the material and the spiritual as cumulative, not competitive
1831)
Understanding what is our quota in material life – 1
1830)
How can we avoid forgetting in real-life what we learn in classes?
1829)
How can we prevent our faith from flickering amidst problems?
1828)
When guidance is not easily available, how can we make good choices?
1827)
How can we assess our service when we are not pure-hearted?
1826)
How can we avoid over-controlling the things that are in our control?
1825)
In the practical-philosophical categorization, where does the emotional fit in?
1824)
When we face problems, we need practical solutions, not philosophical solutions – how can scripture help?
1823)
What is the best way to monitor our mental habits?
1822)
How can we help those who are suffering but are still imagining that they are enjoying?
1821)
If someone rationalizes their wrongdoing by saying that Krishna loves us unconditionally, how do we respond?
1820)
Doesn’t Krishna feel bad when we do something wrong – doesn’t that make him unwilling to shelter us?
1819)
If our mistakes have got us into trouble, how can we overcome the guilt that disheartens us while taking shelter of Krishna?
1818)
Changing the default settings of our mind
1817)
MIND the MIND
1816)
You have gone through a lot of pain in your life – what is your realization?
1815)
How can we prevent sense enjoyment from depriving us of Krishna’s shelter?
1814)
When we don’t feel like surrendering, what should we do?
1813)
How can we overcome inconsistency in deity worship caused by our wavering feelings?
1812)
If our material life takes us temporarily away from our spiritual life, how can we later regain our spiritual enthusiasm?
1811)
If our material activities interfere with our spiritual life, how can we see those activities as spiritual?
1810)
If our family members don’t support our bhakti, what should we do?
1809)
How can we spiritualize our work without disturbing our colleagues?
1808)
If bhakti practice makes us less emotional, is that good?
1807)
Do we make our destiny or are we made by our destiny?
1806)
Is obsession with spiritual things ok?
1805)
How to balance attachment and detachment in daily life?
1804)
How can we focus on our spiritual advancement without becoming selfish?
1803)
If we can’t stop overeating, how can we control ourselves?
1802)
Balancing intensity and sensitivity in bhakti – Learning from HH Radhanath Maharaj’s example
1801)
When we become responsible in our material life, our employers may exploit us – how to avoid?
1800)
Is starting spiritual life because of frustration undesirable?
1799)
How can we make our wandering consciousness more connected to the body?
1798)
Have you had a near-death experience?
1797)
Overcoming our mental energy drainers
1796)
How do we balance our fundamental and functional identities?
1795)
If we understand that we are souls, do we need to reject the whole life we have built on our bodily identity?
1794)
As devotee-students, do we have to lead two lives?
1793)
Devotion as sentiment, commitment and attainment
1792)
If it doesn’t work, get out – is such a utilitarian attitude in bhakti towards things like marriage justifiable?
1791)
When we face mental health issues, how can we deal with them spiritually and what can we learn from it?
1790)
Be not fretful or fearful – be faithful
1789)
How to deal with indulgences that we aren’t able to give up?
1788)
Did many devotees leave ISKCON because they couldn’t see suffering as Krishna’s mercy?
1787)
Will those with low self-esteem mistake tolerating injustice to be humility?
1786)
How to decide between tolerating a situation or changing it?
1785)
Why do we promote our suffering as if it is the worst?
1784)
For a pure devotee, is the subtle body dissolved or does it still remain?
1783)
How can we know what is a principle and what a detail?
1782)
How can the tension between rigidity and fluidity be resolved in a living tradition?
1781)
Understanding attachment, detachment, commitment 3 – Devotion as emotion, disposition and cultivation
1780)
How can we appreciate good devotees who are offensive about some issues?
1779)
If we are more attached to Krishna and less attached to family responsibilities, does that incur bad karma?
1778)
If our chanting is simply mechanical, will that please Krishna?
1777)
How can we cultivate more of a family atmosphere in our movement?
1776)
Can the desire for subtle sex – pride, adoration, distinction – be dovetailed in bhakti?
1775)
Won’t neglecting our attachments and focusing on bhakti lead to rationalizing our wrong actions?
1774)
To get stimulated out of sleep, can I visit Facebook first thing after waking up?
1773)
If we are following the principles to be initiated but have to wait for long in queue, does Krishna see us as initiated or uninitiated?
1772)
If senior devotees behave unethically, how can we maintain our inspiration?
1771)
Understanding attachment, detachment, commitment 2 – Detachment is not hardheartedness – it is levelheadedness
1770)
How to deal with the emotions and inclinations that take us away from Krishna?
1769)
If we have a vision to do something but the authorities are not supportive, what to do?
1768)
Shouldn’t we expect to grow to the higher stages of bhakti?
1767)
Shouldn’t we take up challenging services to become humble & dependent on Krishna?
1766)
How can we find the service by which we can best contribute?
1765)
Why were the Pandavas treated so badly by their elders – in similar circumstances, are we meant to be submissive?
1764)
Suppose a talented, dedicated devotee encounters failure repeatedly – how to respond?
1763)
How can we counter the mind’s tendency to see the negative even in devotee association?
1762)
Understanding attachment, detachment, commitment 1 – Frustration is not renunciation
1761)
Won’t picking and choosing sections of philosophy or process rationalise rejecting important aspects of bhakti?
1760)
Is adopting something because it works a sufficient criterion for choosing a spiritual path?
1759)
What to do if our doubts block us in relishing bhakti?
1758)
Does our past karma affect our present free will?
1757)
When devotees debate fiercely over different aspects of bhakti, how should we respond?
1756)
Is taste in service Krishna’s reciprocation?
1755)
How do we balance hunting for the rhino in our services with being realistic?
1754)
Go beyond the painkiller of karma-kanda or modern science to the curative medicine of bhakti
February 2017
1753)
How can we be humble enough to recognize the necessity of changing our habits?
1752)
While using tricks like propinquity to control our senses, don’t we neglect the bhakti aspect?
1751)
When genuine intentions will express as actions, how can we say that intention is not enough?
1750)
Should we make major life decisions based on bhakti considerations alone or also based on our material nature and situation?
1749)
When the Gita insists that we work according to our nature, why do ISKCON authorities tell us to do the needful, without considering our nature?
1748)
If we can’t replace our mind, how does purification change the mind?
1747)
If the material and the spiritual are separate, how can chanting attentively lead to good book distribution?
1746)
Growing from grudges to gratitude – Bhagavatam 10.14.8
1745)
Overcoming obstacles 8 – Focus less on detachment from the world and more on attachment to Krishna – part 2
1744)
Overcoming obstacles 7 – Focus less on detachment from the world and more on attachment to Krishna – part 1
1743)
Overcoming obstacles 6 – Focus not on how the world sees you, but on how you see the world – part 2
1742)
Overcoming obstacles 5 – Focus not on how the world sees you, but on how you see the world – part 1
1741)
Overcoming obstacles 4 – Let intelligence be your minister, not your master – part 2
1740)
Overcoming obstacles 3 – Let intelligence be your minister, not your master – part 1
1739)
Overcoming obstacles 2 – Focus not on rejecting desire, but on selecting desire – part 2
1738)
Overcoming obstacles 1 – Focus not on rejecting desire, but on selecting desire – part 1
1737)
How can we understand the ideal without becoming impractical and fanatical?
1736)
As intelligence can make us calculative or over-smart, how can we remain simple while being intelligent?
1735)
Tap your inner power by understanding your inner hierarchy – Gita 03.42
1734)
How do we see people who come to the temple but don’t practice bhakti seriously – Hindi?
1733)
How can a person suffering from an incurable disease overcome resentment – Hindi?
1732)
Applying spiritual wisdom to persevere through senseless suffering
1731)
Overcome resentment by asking how, not why – Hindi
1730)
How can we overcome the tendency to be indecisive – Hindi?
1729)
How can we spiritualize our material attachments?
1728)
Learn from the Gita the temperament to transform talent into achievement
1727)
If we are working wholeheartedly in our material life, but can’t work similarly in our spiritual life, what can we do – Hindi?
1726)
If someone is connected with another organization, how can we get them to the Krishna consciousness movement?
1725)
Why do leaders of religious organisations sometimes form sects and fight with each other – Hindi?
1724)
If people treat us based on their past negative impressions about us even after we have improved, what can we do – Hindi?
1723)
If we don’t see others’ faults, how can we guide them to improve – Hindi?
1722)
Can someone say that my nature is to talk insensitively – Hindi?
1721)
How can we intelligently neglect some people’s criticism of us?
1720)
Self-transformation comes by becoming conscious of the subconscious – Hindi?
1719)
When the soul and the body are different, why do self-realized souls suffer bodily pain – Hindi?
1718)
When we can’t overcome our bad habits, what to do – Hindi?
1717)
When our opinions come from our nature, how can we understand that the opinions of those with different natures can also be correct – Hindi?
1716)
Is loving our body the cause of misery?
1715)
If our talents such as a powerful voice sometimes inconvenience others, what should we do?
1714)
Is focusing on developing our talents selfishness?
1713)
When we start coming for spiritual programs, our college friends criticize us – how to respond?
1712)
When we are not our bodies, why do devotee marriage boards want to know the candidate’s caste – Hindi?
1711)
If others’ way of functioning disturbs our service, what can we do – Hindi?
1710)
Bring out the best within, not the beast within
1709)
Living with differences – Hindi
1708)
Determination in the three modes – Hindi
1707)
When others’ words makes us disturbed and dissatisfied, how to deal with that dissatisfaction – Hindi?
1706)
When we are unable to practice devotional principles, are we hypocritical – how to overcome it – Hindi?
1705)
How can we overcome the unhappiness felt on seeing others go away from bhakti – Hindi?
January 2017
1704)
When our past bad habits don’t go away despite repeated efforts, what to do (Hindi)?
1703)
When problems go beyond our tolerance limit, we explode as per our past conditionings – how to deal with this (Hindi)?
1702)
If those in power such as Dhritarashtra stay silent amidst injustice, can their silence be attributed to their nature (Hindi)?
1701)
Dealing with provocative people
1700)
Sattva-guna – A competitor to bhakti and a stepping stone to bhakti
1699)
Changing the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves
1698)
Don’t let the drink take the drinker
1697)
I was initiated earlier by a priest – how do I see it when seeking initation from a Vaishnava guru?
1696)
Is speaking about krishna-bhakti to relatives who may be faithless an offense to the holy name?
1695)
Strengthen relationships by tolerating others’ indiscretions
1694)
The life of devotional dynamism
1693)
Talk Show – Growing Amidst Anxiety
1692)
What we are is God’s gift to us – what we become is our gift to God
1691)
When a close relative troubles us, do we need to tolerate infinitely?
December 2016
1690)
How can I protect my NRI-nephew from being carried away by materialism?
1689)
How can we be friendly with equals without becoming casual?
1688)
How can we avoid feeling burdened when we have unmanageable deadlines?
1687)
Counter the cancer of workaholism
1686)
When we face real problems, can we spiritually raise ourselves above those problems?
1685)
Can we say the grabbers in the marshmallow experiment are those who grab opportunities?
1684)
How can we make our presentation more crisp and condensed?
1683)
Facebook live QA 4
1682)
Facebook live QA 3
1681)
Facebook live QA 2
1680)
Prabhupada’s legacy lives on
1679)
The desirer of desire
1678)
How can we avoid fear after taking big decisions thoughtfully?
1677)
How can I control anger when I am continuously provoked?
1676)
How can we be strict in sadhana and sensitive with others?
1675)
When faced with difficulty, why do we go away from Krishna?
1674)
How can we practically do abhyasa for focusing the mind?
1673)
How can we develop taste for chanting?
1672)
If devotees have to do research involving animal testing, what should they do?
1671)
When our material obligations make us too busy to practice sadhana strictly, what can we do?
1670)
Does expertise in shabda make one expert in fields in which one may have no practical experience?
1669)
Should we preach when we are not feeling devotionally?
1668)
When Krishna disapproves renunciation as it will disturb people’s minds, how can we understand Prabhupada’s giving sannyasa to young disciples?
1667)
Is dandiya rasa considered imitation of Krishna’s rasa-lila — is it allowed in ISKCON?
1666)
How can we cope with enduring sadness?
1665)
How can we say our thanks to God?
1664)
Why does corruption exist in religious organisations – can it be minimized?
1663)
How can a bar waiter transform one’s occupational duty into devotional service?
1662)
How to deal with devotees in ISKCON who criticize ISKCON?
1661)
How can we overcome lust?
1660)
How can we avoid distractions amidst today’s internet age?
November 2016
1659)
How can we remember while serving the Deities that they are persons?
1658)
If we don’t have the opportunity to explore, won’t we lose our desire to learn?
1657)
If we are in a situation where we can’t develop our talents, what can we do?
1656)
Can pursuing our material talents help us in our spiritual life?
1655)
How can chanting help us in our life practically?
1654)
What cricket can teach us about life Series
1653)
How can we know our most dangerous attachments?
1652)
What if we want to preach but are given other services? – Hindi
1651)
How can we resist temptation? – Hindi
1650)
The world sees results, Krishna sees efforts
1649)
What cricket can teach us about life 3
1648)
What cricket can teach us about life 2
1647)
Help your mind to learn using association and intelligence
1646)
When chanting doesn’t feel blissful, how can we make it always blissful?
1645)
What kind of mental pitch is favourable for bhakti?
1644)
How did Prabhupada provide sadhana-bhakti and raganuga bhakti together?
1643)
How can we overcome the tendency to overthink?
1642)
How can we avoid second guessing ourselves while doing creative work?
1641)
Before we can evaluate our desire, we end up indulging in it – what to do?
1640)
What cricket can teach us about life 1
1639)
How can we avoid falling repeatedly to a wrong desire?
1638)
How do prioritize between our duty to our parents and to our wife and children?
1637)
Counter the inner negative conversation of doubt and desire
1636)
Won’t cultivating satisfaction take away our urge to improve?
1635)
How can we know what our prescribed duty is in today’s world?
1634)
How can we know whether we are depending on our own endeavors or on Krishna?
1633)
How can we maintain our spiritual alertness amidst worldly association?
1632)
Bhikshu Gita 6 – See the mind’s aversion to concentration as a trick of illusion (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.23.47)
1631)
Don’t identify with the mind – identify the mind
1630)
Bhikshu Gita Series
1629)
When real problems such as recession threaten us, how can we deal with the anxiety?
1628)
Bhakti is not about attachment or detachment but about commitment – please explain.
1627)
Is all anxiety bad – can’t anxiety inspire us to perform better?
1626)
How can we weaken our bad desires and strengthen our good desires?
1625)
How can we avoid forgetting our resolutions?
1624)
Bhikshu Gita 5 – Happiness comes by raising the standard of longing (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.23.46)
1623)
How do non-devotees without sadhana and siddhanta sometimes have better sadachara than devotees?
1622)
How can we fix the mind on Krishna?
1621)
How can those unaware of scripture differentiate between the mind and the intelligence?
1620)
How can we inculcate Krishna consciousness in our children?
1619)
If having too many commitments makes us resentful, what can we do?
1618)
How should we preach – gently or forcefully?
1617)
QA on Practical application of bhakti
1616)
Bhikshu Gita 4 – The mind distracts us from bhakti in the name of bhakti (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.23.45)
1615)
If someone is going through a bad phase astrologically, how does the mind affect their problems?
1614)
How much does the mind affect problems in astrologically compatible relationships?
1613)
How can we constantly remember that we are not the doers?
1612)
If we keep curbing most of our impulses, aren’t we living a fake life?
1611)
Is passion needed while functioning in this world?
1610)
If a devotee can’t find an astrologically compatible match, can they pursue astrologically incompatible matches where other things match?
1609)
Bhikshu Gita 3 – The mind makes the unreal seem real and the real seem unreal (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.23.44)
1608)
Bhikshu Gita 2 – The mind makes it difficult for people to change – be understanding (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.23.43)
1607)
Navigating the social and emotional turbulence of adolescence
1606)
How can we remove bad impressions from our mind?
1605)
How can we survive spiritually when suddenly we lose devotee association?
1604)
Bhikshu Gita 1 – Minimize misery by identifying the misery caused by the mind (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.23.42)
1603)
How can we cultivate humility in our bhakti?
1602)
Some devotees take a vow to chant lots of rounds and keep chanting all day – is that ok?
1601)
What are the duties of a modern woman who wants to practice bhakti?
1600)
How can we attain true peace?
1599)
Can we chant while traveling or walking?
1598)
How can we chant without distractions?
1597)
Why are we more judgemental towards equals instead of seniors?
1596)
Why are we judgemental towards others?
1595)
How do we differentiate between which desire to accept and which to reject?
1594)
How can we strengthen our faith, especially while going through mood swings?
1593)
How can we disconnect from undesirable thoughts?
1592)
How can we know if our intelligence is misleading us through rationalization?
1591)
How can we use in bhakti the qualities we don’t know we have?
1590)
How can we deal with bad thoughts that come up subconsciously?
1589)
How can we overcome procrastinating tendency?
1588)
Should we just depend on bhakti to purify us or cultivate introspectiveness to check and change our motives?
1587)
How do we explain the triangularity of desires to children?
1586)
Isn’t it better to know our needs and be satisfied on getting them instead of trying to be satisfied with what we have?
1585)
If we don’t have the inclination to do some service, should we still do it just to purify ourselves?
1584)
In our spiritual life how can we be both satisfied and ambitious?
1583)
Can individual or group chanting promote world peace?
1582)
Some devotees see social issues as irrelevant – isn’t bhakti meant to be socially relevant?
1581)
How can spirituality help amidst increasing social polarisation, often caused by religion?
1580)
How can we guide our children in their teenage years?
1579)
When anxiety distracts us during chanting, should we try to counter those thoughts or just wait for those thoughts to go?
1578)
Appreciating Srila Prabhupada’s transcendence in sharing bhakti
1577)
Appreciating Srila Prabhupada’s transcendence in sharing krishna-bhakti (Prabhupada disappearance day meditation)
1576)
How is Hinduism different from other religions?
1575)
Is there any way we can use procrastination positively?
1574)
How can we avoid getting sucked into local temple politics while practicing bhakti?
1573)
How can we know which situations are in our control and which out of control?
1572)
How are we affected by positive or negative thoughts?
1571)
When people are diagnosed with depression, should they take medicines or practice spirituality?
1570)
Is a goal-oriented approach in bhakti in the mode of passion?
October 2016
1569)
Do we need to appreciate devotees before we can appreciate Krishna?
1568)
Is multi-tasking desirable or undesirable?
1567)
Why does God let difficulties happen in our life – please explain based on your personal life?
1566)
Won’t saying that don’t pursue worldly pleasures demotivate students from academic performance?
1565)
How can we control sense gratification?
1564)
What is ISKCON doing to address the fear that terrorists may attack temples?
1563)
Pressing on when things don’t make sense
1562)
Among the Gita’s four varnas, what is your varna?
1561)
How does bhakti counter anxiety?
1560)
What role does time play in differentiating between wants and needs?
1559)
How can we regulate our material wants in our spiritual life?
1558)
Spirituality for caregivers
1557)
Can devotees ask Krishna for a material thing such as a child?
1556)
Learning to manage our desires – Gita 02.64-72
1555)
How to share bhakti with our relatives who are addicted to materialism?
1554)
How to deal with the conflict of feeling like giving charity and fearing that it may be misused?
1553)
What to do if the association of some devotees makes us negative and agitated?
1552)
How can we use our intellectual faculty to elevate ourselves and others spiritually?
1551)
Devotionally, we need to be humble. Professionally, we need to promote ourselves. How to reconcile?
1550)
How can we reduce the time we spend on devices?
1549)
How to deal with the mind if it traps us in the same behaviour repeatedly?
1548)
How can we expand our resolutions from time-bound to lifelong?
1547)
What to do if the mind acts on us even before we realize what is happening?
1546)
Tap the triangularity of desires through good association
1545)
How to avoid getting distracted by the mind during our idle time?
1544)
Is wanting to rise in the corporate world due to the mode of passion?
1543)
Why do distractions come more when we chant?
1542)
What to do if we can’t contain our anger but expressing it will hurt others?
1541)
If we become too target-oriented while doing a service, should we give up that service?
1540)
Remembering Srinathji Prabhu – an intellectual, non-patronizing patron of intellectuals
1539)
Initially, bhakti doesn’t give as much happiness as sensuality – how to persevere then?
1538)
Is dharma practical in this age?
1537)
How can we balance our material commitments and spiritual aspirations?
1536)
Your enemy is inside you – and so is your friend – with Spanish translation
1535)
How has your spirituality helped you to practically solve the world’s problems?
1534)
Can’t laughter help us feel better?
1533)
Tap the power of your mind – with Spanish translation
1532)
Key to success – Go DEEP
1531)
Proactive Leadership – with Spanish translation
1530)
Discover your inner power – with Spanish translation
1529)
What dogs, birds and elephants teach us about our habits – with Spanish translation
1528)
Is becoming worried or not becoming worried a learnable habit?
1527)
Why do we tend to worry about future things that haven’t even happened?
1526)
How can we measure our progress on the path of controlling our mind?
1525)
How can we improve our focus?
1524)
Do people take to spirituality only because of detachment from material life?
1523)
How can we learn to serve Krishna more selflessly?
1522)
How can we see problems as challenges?
1521)
How can we overcome a bad habit that has been very difficult for us to give up?
1520)
How can we train the mind to correct its bad ways?
1519)
How can we protect ourselves at various stages from contemplation to degradation?
1518)
Are we meant to neglect the mind or to channel it?
1517)
How can we live in the present instead of the past or the future?
1516)
When the mind troubles us, how can we practically control it?
1515)
What your phone can teach you about your mind
1514)
Will we ever attain a spiritual level beyond material desire?
1513)
How can we help materialistic people recognize the need to control their thoughts?
1512)
When does ambition become greed?
1511)
How can we introduce new people to bhakti?
1510)
Why does ISKCON have a more organized managerial structure than most traditional religious groups?
1509)
When the soul is beyond identity, why do devotees put identification marks such as tilak?
1508)
Should we stick to personal spiritual standards even when they imbalance our life?
1507)
Activate the grand rapid flow of bhakti by restructing your mental architecture
1506)
Do we need to resist a material desire that is a need?
1505)
If a devotee can see the future in dreams, what should they do?
1504)
If a devotee can see the future in dreams, what should they do?
1503)
When management affects our sadhana adversely, what can we do?
1502)
Tap the power of consciousness
1501)
Why do children of devotees sometimes not become devotees?
1500)
What is the difference between being selfish and thinking of oneself first?
1499)
What to do when people exclude us from some social circles because of our bhakti practices?
1498)
How can we make right decisions when what is right is not clear and the decisions have serious consequences?
1497)
Should we share bhakti wisdom only after we have understood it thoroughly?
1496)
How much can logic be applied to scriptural study?
1495)
How can we be detached without becoming uncaring?
1494)
Is service the foundation of relationship – can’t we have relationships without any common service?
1493)
If some devotees keep rejecting us despite our best efforts to please them, what should we do?
1492)
Are bhakti activities transcendental to the modes or are we to engage activities in the modes in bhakti?
1491)
Look at the mind before you look with the mind
1490)
What goes wrong when one person gets undue control on others’ minds?
1489)
If we see wrongdoers go unpunished in our movement, what should we do?
1488)
How can people who are conditioned to be child abusers be cured?
1487)
During chanting should we try to control the mind or should we pray to Krishna that he control the mind?
1486)
How do we differentiate between the mind’s desires and the soul’s desires?
1485)
Why did Prabhupada not encourage devotees to consult astrologers?
1484)
If I can invest one hour daily for bhakti, which bhakti practices should I do?
1483)
How has the momentum of bhakti helped you to face problems in your own life?
1482)
What is dharma, especially for householders?
1481)
What are the characteristics of those who are spiritually healed?
1480)
Examining our definition of happiness
1479)
Learning to change our rasa from the world to Krishna
1478)
How important is it to have a goshala with a temple?
1477)
How to know whether our inner decisions come from the mind or the intelligence?
1476)
How can we reciprocate with the many people who have helped us?
1475)
Is it healthy to feel distressed whenever we remember how we have hurt others in the past?
1474)
Is thinking negative about some devotee an offence?
1473)
While sharing bhakti, how can we overcome the tendency to be intellectually aggressive?
1472)
How can we encourage devotee-kids to explore bhakti and not worldly pleasures?
1471)
When thoughts distract us while chanting, how to respond?
1470)
When bad thoughts trouble us during our bhakti practice, how to respond?
1469)
Four animal metaphors for managing the mind – horse, wolf, dog and sheep
1468)
If we have terrible pain, how can bhakti help us tolerate that pain?
1467)
How does the food offered to Krishna purify us?
1466)
If we feel worried the same way as we felt before practicing bhakti, is something wrong with our bhakti practice?
1465)
How can we stay self-aware while living in a materialistic culture?
1464)
How do we know when we have become self-aware?
1463)
If hearing krishna-lila makes me envious, does that mean I am demoniac?
1462)
If someone keeps misunderstanding us repeatedly, how to respond?
1461)
When people think that we are wrong when we are not, how to respond?
1460)
Understand your machine to relish your self
1459)
Are people around us benefited by our being Krishna conscious even when we can’t share our devotion with them?
1458)
What differentiates bhakti-yoga from other forms of yoga?
1457)
How to respond when our becoming spiritual is deemed socially unacceptable?
1456)
How can we keep our mind clear between meditation sessions?
1455)
What is the best way for a beginner to start with mantra meditation?
1454)
How can we keep our heart open when the mind is hostile?
1453)
If our mind’s software is very corrupted, how can we handle it?
1452)
Consciousness, the subconscious and conscience – understanding and transforming our inner world
1451)
Should we worry about spiritual problems such as inattentive chanting?
1450)
Can’t worrying about a problem help us better deal with it?
1449)
What is the most effective way to avoid getting mentally caught in problems?
1448)
Can Maya stop us from achieving our goals?
1447)
Are we born with our modes – can we change them?
1446)
How can we prevent our past conditionings from disturbing our present?
1445)
How can we avoid becoming depressed because of people who are regularly troublesome?
1444)
How can we not worry about people who create trouble for us?
1443)
Seek not moments of bhakti – seek momentum in bhakti
1442)
Don’t identify with the mind – identify the mind
1441)
Seek the synergy of siddhanta, sadhana and sadachara
1440)
If devotees don’t do a service because they don’t feel inspired, are they being offensive?
1439)
If devotees repeatedly back out of services they have committed to, how to respond without becoming irritated?
1438)
How can we stay positive when the mind is pessimistic?
1437)
If we are unable to avoid negative emotions, how can we deal with them?
1436)
How can we draw the line about how much material things we can use in Krishna’s service?
1435)
If we commit mistakes while preaching, should we stop preaching?
September 2016
1434)
Have addicted people lost their free will?
1433)
When the spiritual-material are done together, does the spiritual component increase with age?
1432)
Does chanting make us internally happy and then we won’t do anything externally?
1431)
What kind of goals does a spiritually evolved person have?
1430)
Discover your inner power
1429)
Can we function at both spiritual and material levels in life?
1428)
Do we need to renounce the world to grow spiritually?
1427)
Can spirituality help people having acute mental health problems?
1426)
Can people with brain chemical imbalances practice spirituality and benefit from it?
1425)
What makes people evolve from seeking recognition to making contribution?
1424)
How to respond when devotees start campaigning against some mundane problem?
1423)
Why do senior devotees sometimes divert from bhakti to fringe fields?
1422)
How can we use our talents at work without being sucked by the work away from Krishna?
1421)
Can inattentive chanting cause mental problems?
1420)
How to respond when problems overwhelm us?
1419)
Is not being disturbed amidst problems indicative of apathy or of bhakti?
1418)
When caring for our small children takes a lot of time, how can we enhance our spirituality?
1417)
If I don’t feel disturbed when my loved ones face problems, am I becoming heartless?
1416)
Is it better to chant in the morning and do very simple Deity worship or to do nice Deity worship and chant later in the day?
1415)
How can we attract people who don’t find ISKCON adequately traditional in its cultural aspect?
1414)
Holy Name seminar – Becoming conscious of our consciousnss, our distractions and our Lord
1413)
Why do we become more angry with our family members than with our colleagues?
1412)
How can we be both detached and compassionate?
1411)
Why do people become sarcastic towards those practicing bhakti?
1410)
How to avoid becoming disheartened on seeing our lack of spiritual emotion while chanting?
1409)
How can we avoid becoming fearful about future possibilities?
1408)
Transform anxiety into intensity by spirituality
1407)
If someone is in too much anxiety, how can we help them?
1406)
We can’t pray for problems like Kunti did, but being problem-free makes us complacent – what is the balanced attitude?
1405)
Whenever I do anything, I feel distracted by the many other things in the world that are wrong – what can I do?
1404)
How can we deal with spiritual jealousy?
1403)
How do we prioritize between our material obligations and spiritual aspirations?
1402)
If others don’t accept something we are strongly convinced about, what should we do?
1401)
What are the most important things for practicing bhakti?
1400)
Why do we chant Hare Krishna, not om krishna?
1399)
When shasta-guru-sadhu give different guidance on some issue, how do we decide?
1398)
Focus not on the cause – focus on the cure
1397)
Should we feel insecure if because of having many services we are unable to report to our authorities regularly?
1396)
When the mind treats worldly objects, not Krishna, as its home, how to respond?
1395)
Can the mode of ignorance be used in Krishna’s service?
1394)
How can we avoid an excessively self-critical mentality?
1393)
How to avoid feeling negative about people who criticize harshly?
1392)
What to do if pressing the pause button amidst provocations will make things worse?
1391)
Isn’t it better to address misunderstanding right away instead of letting it distract us later during japa?
1390)
If senior devotees have misconceptions about us, is clarifying them disrespectful?
1389)
Is mentally retaliating at devotees who have hurt us an offence?
1388)
How can we train ourselves to pause when impulses hit us?
1387)
If something makes us go away from Krishna, how can we return towards him?
1386)
How can we balance our studies and our bhakti?
1385)
If bhakti is the art of becoming happy, why are we bhaktas not happy?
1384)
How can we increase our appreciation for bhakti?
1383)
How can we respond positively after committing mistakes?
1382)
How can we control the mind in professional settings where we can’t do devotional activities?
1381)
Can we change a habit in two weeks, as some surveys suggest?
1380)
How can we become more selfless?
1379)
Take charge of your inner conversation
1378)
How can the awareness of our sinfulness enhance our devotion?
1377)
When Krishna said that the Kauravas were doomed because of offending Draupadi, why did he go to them as a peace envoy?
1376)
How can we differentiate between emotional experiences and transcendental experiences?
1375)
When the management gives services to one person and not another, isn’t that discrimination?
1374)
Isn’t life all about discriminating – how can we be nonjudgmental?
1373)
What is the difference between judging and discriminating?
1372)
Is na dhanam na janam na sundarim applicable to householder life?
1371)
Discover your inner power
1370)
The Quest for Happiness
1369)
How does guilt practically help increase our bhakti?
1368)
Self-destruction Strategies Series
1367)
How can guilt manifest in a way favourable for bhakti?
1366)
Does chanting purely itself give rise to virtues or should we strive to develop virtues?
1365)
If we surrender to Krishna, won’t he help in taking care of our needs?
1364)
Does Gita 09.22 imply that we needn’t care for our material needs?
1363)
Are the material needs of pure devotees automatically provided for by Krishna?
1362)
Are the humble taken for a ride by others?
1361)
How can we tolerate provoking situations?
1360)
Is the tendency to not chant more than sixteen rounds good?
1359)
How can we dissolve the false ego?
1358)
Can feeling angry when insulted instead of tolerating insults spur us towards Krishna, as happened with Dhruva?
1357)
If a butcher has no alternative way to earn, will Krishna accept the fruits of their work?
1356)
Should we not give suggestions to others because of the fear that the suggestions will be rejected?
1355)
Is the way of working in bhakti different from the way of working in material life?
1354)
Is it better to be inspired with the work itself instead of by its goal?
1353)
When the mind cries wolf, don’t fall for its bluff
1352)
Make Krishna the rest for the restless mind
1351)
What to do if devotees avoid services saying that they are not according to my nature?
1350)
Is service that which pleases Krishna or does it include that which we like?
1349)
As sadhakas, what emotions can we experience in relationship with Krishna?
1348)
How can we bring goodness into our passionate services?
1347)
Is service done in passion service or is it just self-gratification?
1346)
Responding maturely to unfair criticism
1345)
Your worst enemy is inside you and so is your best friend
1344)
While practicing bhakti, how can we avoid losing interest in our work?
1343)
Understanding the mind through tech metaphors
1342)
If we are to be detached from results, how can we motivate ourselves for our work?
1341)
How can we know when we are ready for taking vanaprastha?
1340)
How to respond when our family members get spikes of desires?
1339)
If we tolerate the spikes of desires, won’t those repressed desires return more forcefully in future?
1338)
What can we do if we can’t serve in a selfless mood?
1337)
Should we avoid worrying or should we take anxieties for Krishna’s service?
1336)
Should we see that our sufferings are arranged by Krishna?
August 2016
1335)
How to avoid thinking about eating food while offering bhoga?
1334)
Is the goal of commitment to please Krishna or to penetrate through the initial poison?
1333)
How can we know whether our resolutions are based on our mind or our intelligence?
1332)
Should we stick to commitments even if doing so makes our life unbalanced?
1331)
Is the initial poison in spiritual life same for everyone?
1330)
Can hypnosis be used to help us better focus our mind in bhakti?
1329)
While doing anything, isn’t it better to have plans B and C instead of closing the doors to all options?
1328)
In the conflict between the mind and the intelligence, who decides?
1327)
How to deal with the feeling that the class is meant for others?
1326)
Is humility practical in the professional world?
1325)
How can we avoid pride while using our talents in Krishna’s service?
1324)
What is the stage between self-pity and ego?
1323)
Does chanting with humility mean to think I am doing this for Krishna?
1322)
Is begetting children a duty to one’s ancestors?
1321)
How can we balance humility with self-confidence?
1320)
Is it right to kill large quantity of grass to cultivate one plant or grain?
1319)
Should we improve the material skills needed for service or improve our consciousness?
1318)
Why are only services done in the temple, and not activities done in the home temple, considered as seva?
1317)
How is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s example of practicing bhakti applicable today?
1316)
How can we do our best in both spiritual and material life?
1315)
The Meaning of Vyasa Puja – “He came, he gave, he conquered”
1314)
What to do if I don’t feel emotions for Krishna naturally, but only after contemplation?
1313)
When intellectual level is higher than sensual, why are intellectual devotees still attracted to sensual pleasure?
1312)
How can an intellectual practice bhakti without becoming intellectually deviated?
1311)
Self-destruction Strategies 5 – See your work as Maya
1310)
Should devotees rigidly force people to take to Krishna consciousness?
1309)
How should we behave with non-religious people?
1308)
How can we guide people who find chanting 16 rounds impossible?
1307)
Self-destruction strategies 4 – Let guilt come between you and Krishna
1306)
Self-destruction strategies 3 – Treat the peripheral as the essential
1305)
Self-destruction strategies 2 – Be a perfectionist
1304)
Self destruction Strategies 1 – Mistake self-pity to be humility
1303)
Aversion to commitment is not detachment
1302)
How we defeat ourselves – and how we can stop doing so
1301)
How can we understand which qualities are good and which bad?
1300)
How to avoid becoming indecisive when encountering different advices from different people?
1299)
How can we avoid being misled by people who are confident but wrong?
1298)
Why don’t we like the good and dislike the bad?
1297)
How can we live in the present alone without learning from the past or preparing for the future?
1296)
How to respond when things go wrong?
1295)
How can we know ourselves well enough to make wise choices with lifelong consequences?
1294)
How can we better execute our plans?
1293)
How to persevere despite our failures in following standards?
1292)
How can we differentiate between the mind’s voice and the Supersoul’s voice?
1291)
How can we harmonize our inclination with higher instruction while serving?
1290)
How can we develop the mood of serving Krishna in everything we do?
1289)
How can we avoid ego while doing what we like to do?
1288)
How can we avoid indulging in a thing while thinking negatively about avoiding it?
1287)
Learning to live with the mind – 2
1286)
How can we give bhakti to beggars and other poor people?
1285)
Can enterprising devotees open devotional schools for offering both material and spiritual welfare?
1284)
Does a culture of free mixing among genders make bhakti impossible to practice?
1283)
How can we avoid pride while giving spiritual knowledge to others?
1282)
How can we know when we have endeavoured enough and should now wait for mercy?
1281)
Should we strive for perfection in our service?
1280)
Won’t doing service in contaminated consciousness license the contaminating influences?
1279)
If we do a service in contaminated consciousness, will that service contaminate others too?
1278)
If I don’t have much time to write, how can I write?
1277)
Learning to live with the mind 1 – Gita 6.27-36
1276)
Can we extend our life by medicines?
1275)
Should we study scripture deeply and slowly or rapidly to get an overview?
1274)
Should we always seek devotional stimuli with the mind?
1273)
Should we chant while feeling separated from Krishna or while feeling that they are in front of us as the Deities?
1272)
When we perceive that we are different from our thoughts, how do we infer who we really are?
1271)
How can we balance brahmana and kshatriya roles?
1270)
How can we connect to people’s emotional concerns without diluting our message?
1269)
What does the regulative principle no illicit sex mean?
1268)
Can we chant slowly if we find that absorbing?
1267)
Does chanting progress from uttering to hearing to visualizing Krishna’s form?
1266)
What spiritual bliss can we have as sadhakas – how is it different from sattvika happiness?
1265)
How can we share our realisations without coming off as proud?
1264)
Practicing humility in a culture of promotion
1263)
Should we make blanket statements first and then teach nuances?
July 2016
1262)
How can we sustain our resolutions?
1261)
Can we just take shelter of bhakti when nothing solves our problems?
1260)
Can phala-shrutis be used to attract people looking for material benefits?
1259)
When even after chanting we still have problems should we tell others chant and be happy?
1258)
Should we preach about the material benefits of bhakti given in scripture?
1257)
Are we meant to reject the mind or to engage it?
1256)
If we shouldn’t identify with feelings, why are we told to identify with devotional feelings?
1255)
Should wives conduct themselves in a way that their husbands don’t look elsewhere?
1254)
When children don’t have intention to practice bhakti, does giving them devotional samskaras help?
1253)
How do we invest emotions in whatever we do?
1252)
Why do we feel enthusiastic initially in bhakti, but later that enthusiasm goes away?
1251)
How can we increase our commitment to Krishna?
1250)
Can the sadhya become the sadhana and the sadhana the sadhya?
1249)
How can we overcome undesirable emotions?
1248)
How can we be confident about our ability to do a service without becoming proud?
1247)
Can slowing down help in developing clarity of thought?
1246)
How can we overcome the tendency to over-analyze?
1245)
What to do if our conviction doesn’t increase after studying scripture?
June 2016
1244)
How can we avoid becoming distracted by the uncontrolled mind?
1243)
How to avoid becoming obsessed with our talents? (Hindi)
1242)
Doesn’t thinking that we have talents make us proud? (Hindi)
1241)
How can we examine our emotions? (Hindi)
1240)
When someone corrects us, why do we feel angry? (Hindi)
1239)
Aren’t our emotions just mental – how can we cultivate them in bhakti?
1238)
How can we make our intelligence like a mother for discipling the childish mind?
1237)
Why are only engineering students attracted to ISKCON?
1236)
Why is day sleep not good?
1235)
Should we try to develop distaste for worldly things?
1234)
If desires are rising while chanting, how can we say to Krishna?
1233)
Give people space to grow in their faith
1232)
Austerity is meant to focus desire, not kill desire
1231)
When austerity is to be implemented, our resolve weakens – how to counter?
1230)
How can we increase our austerities as did Dhruva?
1229)
When certain services are considered higher than others, should we choose the higher or the natural for us?
1228)
When we focus on one area of our life, other areas get neglected – how to balance?
1227)
Devotion is a progression from our past, not a rejection of the past
1226)
Can doing PhD help devotees in their outreach?
1225)
How do we counter the many misconceptions about dharma in today’s mainstream society? (Hindi)
1224)
How can we help those who are sincerely following an unauthorized spiritual path?
1223)
Why doesn’t ISKCON distribute books free?
1222)
Does spiritual advancement make one materially lethargic?
1221)
If spiritual advancement removes our worldly cravings, does that mean spiritualists can’t progress materially?
1220)
Can people change their habits without practicing bhakti-yoga?
1219)
Should we strive for qualities that are not according to our nature?
1218)
Do we need to fight with those who misbehave with us?
May 2016
1217)
How do we draw the line between self-pity and humility and assertiveness?
1216)
Do non-devotees have no good qualities?
1215)
When we have pressure to get a new job, can we adjust our spiritual commitments to focus on our career?
1214)
Does Krishna care for us even when we are not practicing spiritual life seriously and have messed up our material life?
1213)
How can we make our communication more crisp and clear?
1212)
How can a devotee pursue a PhD in science without getting carried away by science?
1211)
How to overcome fear of what comes after death?
1210)
Does surrendering to Krishna means not caring for our material responsibilities?
1209)
Are our intuitions more likely to be coming from God when we are calm than when we are agitated?
1208)
Does goodness take away the competitive spirit needed for succeeding in today’s world?
1207)
Can devotion cure psychological disorders?
1206)
Is the inner voice God’s voice?
1205)
Should we pursue our career as per our education or as per our inspiration?
1204)
How to control revengeful thoughts?
1203)
How can we share Krishna through our profession?
1202)
Do we always have to eat what we cook – does bhakti change our karma?
1201)
Why should we follow rules and give up our freedom?
1200)
Can some foods or medicines change our destiny?
1199)
How do our conditionings shape our behavior without determining it?
1198)
How is the mind converted by bhakti?
1197)
Do we control the mind first or do we situate ourselves in our svarupa first?
1196)
During chanting, can we experience the holy name touching the soul?
1195)
How can we understand the intelligence and ego to be different from the mind and the soul?
1194)
Should we strive to change those things that require a lot of effort to change?
1193)
Is our duty towards others unlimited, irrespective of how they behave?
1192)
While choosing a spouse, is matching astrological charts essential?
1191)
Can developing our talents obstruct us in bhakti?
1190)
Make your own destiny 3
1189)
Make your own destiny 2
1188)
Make your own destiny 1
1187)
PRAY acronym: Revisiting our conceptions about praying
1186)
When modern civilization collapses in future, should devotees have a Vedic alternative ready?
1185)
What does Prabhupada’s statement about 50% of his mission being incomplete mean?
April 2016
1184)
You came, you gave, you conquered – Appreciating Srila Prabhupada’s mercy
1183)
How can one act with love without the feeling of love?
1182)
Does devotional life begin only when material life is finished?
1181)
Should we give due attention to our material side or should we spiritualize it?
1180)
Do we need peace externally to find peace internally?
1179)
Do we commit mistakes because of Krishna’s plan?
1178)
When others trouble us, should we just tolerate things?
1177)
When something inspires us devotionally, how to know whether it is self-centered or Krishna-centered?
1176)
How can a visually challenged person practice bhakti?
1175)
How do we stay committed in our devotional relationships when devotees don’t seem inspiring?
1174)
If I serve my mother because of my bhakti, am I serving her or serving Krishna?
1173)
How can we overcome the desire for appreciation from others?
1172)
How can we avoid taking things for granted in bhakti?
1171)
Is serving according to our nature selfishness?
1170)
How can we gain clarity in our philosophical understanding?
1169)
How can we smile at those who hurt us?
1168)
Can we be sensitive and detached both?
1167)
How can we avoid doing bhakti for external gains like prestige?
1166)
Should we counterpush against circumstances or tolerate them?
1165)
If something works for us but doesn’t work for others should we apologize for misguiding them?
1164)
Should devotees be desensitized from social causes or involved in them?
1163)
Is attribution error while dealing with devotees a Vaishnava apradha?
1162)
Should we not tell others that they have hurt us so that they don’t feel hurt?
1161)
How do we avoid passion while working as leaders in the corporate world?
1160)
If someone has hurt us, how can we forgive them?
1159)
Does doing good make the heart into a temple?
1158)
How can we avoid judging others?
1157)
How can we turn on our inner compass while living in the world?
1156)
Which service is ideal – service according to our nature or service that is the need of the hour?
1155)
Is association of nondevotees like the kissing of a snake?
1154)
How can we change our default settings that we don’t know about? – Hindi
1153)
Improving our chanting – Hindi
1152)
What does everything will be achieved by chanting mean? – Hindi
1151)
Should devotees who like each other but have incompatible horoscopes get married?
1150)
Are gurukulas the best way for education for devotees’ children?
1149)
While acting in our worldly relationships, how can we avoid attachment and stay surrendered to Krishna?
1148)
As devotees, how do we choose among our various material roles?
1147)
Why does ISKCON practice double standards by allowing donors, not others, to do deity abhisheka on festivals?
1146)
What chemistry is needed for having intimate Vaishnava relationships?
1145)
Why do we give more importance to our material relationships than our devotee relationships?
1144)
To minimize their material entanglement, should devotees try to give their children the cheapest education?
1143)
Do women have the same rights as men in ISKCON?
1142)
How does Bhaktisiddhanta S statement about institution being evil apply to ISKCON?
1141)
How can a community avoid guru groupism?
1140)
What values can senior devotees impart to other devotees?
1139)
Though I want to be a serious devotee, why do I remain so short-tempered?
1138)
What qualities should leaders have – how can leaders inspire others?
1137)
How important is applying shastra in our life?
1136)
How can we connect with Krishna when we have to work eight hrs daily in office?
1135)
If we don’t even realize when we do wrong, how can we correct it?
1134)
How can we infer that we are advancing spiritually?
1133)
How to continue bhakti when we don’t have devotee association?
1132)
If all devotees will go to Krishna, what benefit do more dedicated devotees get?
1131)
How do we know the difference between what feels good and what is actually spiritual?
1130)
Why do I feel satisfaction on feeding a beggar but not on feeding the Deities?
1129)
How can we avoid taking Krishna’s forgiveness as a license for our sinfulness?
1128)
How can we become determined in our bhakti?
1127)
Won’t thinking only about our relationship with Krishna make us insensitive in other relationships?
1126)
How can we avoid feeling disheartened on hearing exalted levels of devotion?
1125)
Don’t let your fears block you
1124)
When multiple dharmas call us, how do we decide which dharma to practice?
1123)
If we are disappointed by our spiritual leaders, how can we continue in our bhakti?
1122)
How can we control the mind when we are away from devotee association?
1121)
When offering obeisances physically is not practical because there are too many senior devotees, is that offensive?
1120)
How can we sharpen our remembrance of Krishna?
1119)
Learning when and how to forgive
1118)
What should we do when we are unsure about what to do?
1117)
Can we progress in both spiritual life and material life?
1116)
Does devotees’ taking monetary benefits for their services spoil the selfless mood?
1115)
How can we be humble without developing inferiority complex?
1114)
Is expectation the cause of unhappiness?
1113)
Which is better – staying in a devotee community or going away to earn more so that later we can practice bhakti more?
1112)
How to stay positive in our fight against material nature?
1111)
When our anarthas continue despite our bhakti practice, how can we stay enthusiastic?
1110)
What to do when the mind overpowers the intelligence?
1109)
How can we neglect the mind when it obsesses on the very object we want to avoid?
1108)
What to do when the mind obstructs us in understanding the siddhanta that helps us to focus the mind on Krishna?
1107)
Does total surrender mean that there is no need to use one’s discretion?
1106)
What determines our mind’s default settings?
1105)
How can we overcome anxiety?
1104)
How can we avoid being dragged down by the mind’s sine wave?
1103)
How to stay mentally healthy without succumbing to temptation?
1102)
When our life is so busy how can we make time for introspection and journaling?
1101)
QA session at Perth
1100)
What to do when spikes of desires keep coming despite our practice of bhakti?
1099)
Isn’t criticism good because it makes us humble?
1098)
How can we insulate ourselves from being discouraged by criticism?
1097)
Why is gratitude important in bhakti – how can we develop gratitude?
1096)
If we feel closer to our nondevotee friends than our devotee friends, what should we do?
1095)
When we make mistakes, does Krishna take care of things?
1094)
How important is apara dharma for devotees?
1093)
When there is so much to hear, how to choose?
1092)
Shouldn’t we lament for our mistakes?
1091)
When our consciousness is low, how do we continue spiritually?
March 2016
1090)
What was Prabhupada’s mood when going through reversals?
1089)
How can we practically understand that shaking an apple tree may lead to the falling of mangoes?
1088)
Does surrender mean seeing problems as Krishna’s mercy?
1087)
Discover Your Inner Power
1086)
To ask guidance from visiting devotees and to not follow it – is that offensive?
1085)
If some devotees deal insensitively with us in our in our early days, how can we overcome the scars?
1084)
Should new people be told strongly to give up meat-eating?
1083)
How can we apply the mood of “Krishna, I am yours”?
1082)
If the devotees who introduced us to bhakti don’t inspire us later, what should we do?
1081)
How do avoid depression caused by the mistakes we make and by thinking about past bad karma?
1080)
The mind is a monkey that makes us a donkey
1079)
Should we stabilize our material life before practicing spiritual life?
1078)
How can we know that we have done our best in our services or relationships?
1077)
How can we find our svabhava and change our career accordingly?
1076)
If people are nasty to us, should we as devotees just be detached from it?
1075)
How can we take shelter of a devotee practically?
1074)
As devotees, how can we deal with our relatives sensitively?
1073)
If one devotee serves Krishna as a brahmachari and another, as a grihastha, who is better?
1072)
Cultivating non-judgmental attitude 3
1071)
How can we raise our children so that they become devotees?
1070)
What is a preferred career for devotees?
1069)
If our relatives are enquiring about spirituality but aren’t submissive, how should we respond?
1068)
When milk is nowadays extracted violently from cows, should devotees take milk?
1067)
Aren’t the problems we face due to our past karma?
1066)
How can we feel connected with Krishna when we have problems and our prayers are not answered?
1065)
How can we cultivate sentiments without becoming sentimental?
1064)
Cultivating non-judgmental attitude 2
1063)
Beyond sentimentality to sentiments
1062)
Why does the Bhagavatam 11.28.1 ask us to not praise others?
1061)
How can we prepare for giving classes?
1060)
You are bigger than your habits
1059)
Cultivating non-judgmental attitude 1
1058)
How can we teach our children right and wrong without coming off as judgmental?
1057)
How can we infuse our scriptural study with devotional emotion?
1056)
Can we apologize to Krishna?
1055)
How can we know what is Krishna’s plan and what is Maya’s action?
1054)
When we are unable to focus on chanting, what can we do?
1053)
How can we focus on the present while serving Krishna?
1052)
How can we deal with the doubts that obstruct us in our relationships with others?
1051)
How can we maintain our principles in a materialistic corporate environment?
1050)
How can we act intelligently when adolescence impels us to act rebelliously?
1049)
How can we guide others when different people want different levels of instruction?
1048)
Will becoming spiritually advanced automatically resolve our relationship problems?
1047)
How do we balance between our spiritual and material lives?
1046)
If my child is very sick, how can my spirituality help me?
1045)
When we have material problems, should we just focus on spiritual advancement or try to solve it materially?
1044)
Harmonizing our spiritual and material lives
1043)
If even the gopis’ lost hope in separation from Krishna, what is the hope for us?
1042)
FREE – 4 ways spirituality makes us better achievers
1041)
When problems distract us from bhakti, isn’t it better to solve the problems and then focus on bhakti?
1040)
How can we know the balance between the painkiller of material things and the cure of spirituality?
1039)
Go beyond get, beget, forget, regret
1038)
When Maya is so powerful, what is our hope for being delivered?
1037)
How to avoid becoming discouraged when we are unable to pronounce the mahamantra clearly and correcting it takes too much time?
1036)
When Krishna can free us from illusion, can’t he free us from pride too?
1035)
Holy Name is Everything Part 2
1034)
Holy Name is Everything Part 1
1033)
If our outreach services require us to go away from devotees how can we get their association?
1032)
Is it appropriate to speak directly on the Bhagavatam to new people?
1031)
When people are alienated by ISKCON’s high standards, how can we attract them?
1030)
How can we present shastra in a contemporary way?
1029)
Which Krishna pastimes can we meditate on?
1028)
How can we attract people who are connected with other spiritual organizations?
1027)
Doesn’t ISKCON’s managerial structure sometimes impede its spiritual outreach?
1026)
Why don’t we spontaneously act according to our svabhava?
1025)
How can we accommodate those who can’t practice bhakti with high standards?
1024)
How can we tune our consciousness so that Krishna manifests therein?
1023)
How can I celebrate my birthday spiritually?
February 2016
1022)
Are there any scriptural examples of those indifferent to the modes?
1021)
Isn’t it better to be a stable grihastha than a bewildered brahmachari?
1020)
How can we be inspired when we don’t get much association of senior devotees?
1019)
Should we associate with like-minded devotees or devotees who have the qualities we don’t have?
1018)
Dining with a monkey
1017)
How can we choose among various services that we can do?
1016)
When we want to serve Krishna, why do we get tempted?
1015)
Does ISKCON brainwash people?
1014)
How do we see devotees who dont complete their japa in the morning?
1013)
A giant desire tree blesses ISKCON desire tree
January 2016
1012)
Can superstitions be used in bhakti?
1011)
Is anger always bad?
1010)
See criticism with a critical eye
1009)
What should I do if my bhakti is damaged after coming from ISKCON?
1008)
Positive Thinking 35 – Let the IDEA lead to ENERGY
1007)
Positive Thinking 34 – No time?
1006)
Positive Thinking 33 – Tap the power of meditation
1005)
Can we use freewriting in bhakti-yoga?
1004)
How can I go about writing in Krishna’s service?
1003)
Positive Thinking 32 – PIES – 4 dimensions for all-round well-being
1002)
Be an agent of positve change
1001)
Positive Thinking 31 – Complement diagnosis with prescription
December 2015
1000)
Positive Thinking 30 – Faith reveals the integrated beyond the fragmented
999)
Positive Thinking 29 – See the invisible, feel the intangible, achieve the impossible
998)
Why are we unable to apply what we hear?
997)
When we understand scripture with senses and intelligence, how is the knowledge acquisition descending, not ascending?
996)
Is it because scripture’s message is spiritual that we don’t find it interesting?
995)
If a devotee feels depressed does that mean they are not chanting properly?
994)
When we are speaking at some other organization’s forum, should we adjust or speak the truth?
993)
While sympathizing with outsiders, how to ensure that insiders dont become like outsiders?
992)
Positive Thinking 28 – Let gratitude energize you
991)
Positive Thinking 27 – Avoid mental viruses
990)
Using English to glorify Krishna
989)
Positive Thinking 26 – Don’t let the world’s opinions determine your decisions
988)
Positive Thinking 25 – See life as a marathon, not a sprint
987)
Positive Thinking 24 – Don’t let a wrong definition of success defeat you
986)
Positiive Thinking 23 – Cure the cancer of comparison
985)
Positive Thinking 22 – Cherish your uniqueness – avoid comparing with others
984)
Positive Thinking 21 – Go DEEP – Desire Envision Endeavor Pray
983)
If a senior devotee states something factually wrong in a Bhagavatam class what should a junior devotee do?
982)
Positive Thinking 20 – Smart expectations 1- Hotel or Hospital?
981)
Positive Thinking 19 – The six-point ENERGY sutra
980)
Positive Thinking 18 – Bhakti alchemizes our inner world
979)
Positive Thinking 17 – Unearth the treasure within
978)
Positive Thinking 16 – Understanding willpower 3 – Sharpen and strengthen the intelligence
977)
Positive Thinking 15 – Understanding willpower 2 – Potential and actual
976)
If we are getting too many doubts, should we just switch off our intellectual faculty?
975)
How to decide whether our intellectual needs are for logical study or empirical research?
974)
If we doubt Krishna’s existence, how can we have faith that he will remove our doubts in future?
973)
Is it ok to be disturbed in our bhakti when some questions don’t get answered?
972)
Positive Thinking 14 – Understanding willpower 1 – Beyond genes, upbringing and association
971)
Positive Thinking 13 – IDEA at work 2 – Facing reversal after reversal positively
970)
Positive Thinking 12 – IDEA at work 1 – Facing untimely death positively
969)
Positive Thinking 11 – A of Activity – Spiritual vision inspires positive action
968)
Positive Thinking 10 – E of IDEA – Eternal love provides inexhaustible positivity
967)
Positive Thinking 9 – D of IDEA – Divinity underlies the universes order
966)
Positive Thinking 8 – I of IDEA – Understanding our identity boosts our positivity
965)
Positive Thinking 7 Get the IDEA Identity, Divinity, Eternity, Activity
964)
How does the principle of sacrifice apply in a devotee’s life?
November 2015
963)
What does distancing oneself from negative situations, relations and emotions mean?
962)
How important is truthfulness in bhakti?
961)
Should grihastha gurus also be addressed as Maharajas?
960)
Positive Thinking 6 – Don’t just see reality positively – see the positive reality
959)
Positive Thinking 5 – Think positive – think spiritual
958)
Positive Thinking 4 – Thoughts lead to things – and are things
957)
Positive Thinking – 3 Science and positive thinking
956)
Positive Thinking 2 – Understanding the four kinds of thoughts
955)
Positive Thinking 1 – Countering external and internal negativity
954)
Spiritual sound vibration sometimes feels boring – how to avoid?
953)
What to do if one feels inspired to be a brahmacari but doesnt have a suitable nature?
952)
When problems overwhelm us, how can we take shelter of Krishna?
951)
Should we help materially those who make a business out of asking for charity?
950)
How can we keep our mind genuine during our daily activities?
949)
If someone’s child has cancer should we not offer charity to avoid interfering with karma?
948)
What is the difference between detachment and carelessness?
947)
If suffering is not because of karma then what is its cause?
946)
Isn’t faultfinding necessary for correcting and benefiting others?
945)
How can we cultivate humility without becoming negatively self-centered?
944)
If our mantra shouldn’t be “I am fallen” why do we sing daily trnad api sunicena?
943)
What is the difference between repentence and self-blame?
October 2015
942)
Avoiding the three misdirectons in the blame game (Bhagavatam 1.16.24)
941)
Is serving according to our nature lower than serving as per instruction?
940)
Does study of philosophy in Prabhupada’s books automatically awaken rasa?
939)
How can we develop creative skills for writing?
938)
Are devotees living in farm communities better situated than those living in cities?
937)
If our profession indirectly contributes to breaking the regulative principles, what can we do?
936)
If different strategies work in outreach with different people, how can we know in advance how best to share bhakti?
935)
How can we resist temptations?
934)
How to preach to people who want to speak their own ideas and not hear?
933)
When our chanting is not good what can we do?
932)
How can we increase our concentration in chanting?
931)
How can we study scripture systematically?
930)
How can a devotee coming from impersonalist background give up those leanings?
929)
Should we hear Mayavadis submissively as Lord Chaitanya heard Sarvabhauma?
928)
Can devotee-couples avoid having kids to avoid distraction in bhakti?
927)
How can we reconcile being sensitive with Prabhupada’s being rigid?
926)
What is the difference between zonal division present in ISKCON and zonal acharya system?
925)
When the mind becomes our friend, does it become the same as the intelligence?
924)
Sensitively transforming others’ hearts – Analysis of Lord Chaitanya’s delivering Sarvabhauma
923)
If I don’t have enough sattva to study sabda constantly, should I not become a brahmachari?
922)
Is dissatisfaction because of not being able to read scripture regularly good?
921)
Spirituality and Business
920)
What does worshiping the Lord through our work mean?
919)
All our problems aren’t mental – how to deal with real problems?
918)
LOAD acronym – How work becomes workload
917)
Is it necessary to research our nature?
916)
How to cooperate joyfully with devotees of radically different natures?
915)
Is being over-intellectual dangerous for devotion?
914)
Should we not do service if we are not pure?
913)
Why is sleepiness during chanting sometimes resistible and sometimes not?
912)
Good jobs in crative fields are difficult – what should creatively gifted devotees do?
911)
Is going deep in any creative field desirable for devotees?
910)
How can we avoid getting carried away by worldly things?
909)
How can we avoid being over-concerned about others’ feelings?
908)
Are we karmically responsible for work that later leads to unknowing harmful consequence?
907)
If my boss tells me to do something wrong, who gets the karma – my boss or me?
906)
If charity is a mentality to be cultivated, is automatic monthly donation from ones bank account undesirable?
905)
Are direct bhakti in brahmachari life and indirect bhakti in grihastha life equivalent?
904)
Grihastha ashrama in bhakti – Shifting the focus from grihastha to ashrama
903)
What to do when the mind overpowers the intelligence?
902)
While making choices how to decide which are important and which aren’t?
901)
If senior devotees ask us to renounce everything, should we do that?
900)
How much should sadhaka discriminate between matter and spirit while practicing bhakti?
899)
How did you scientifically come to the conclusion of bhakti?
898)
Amidst life’s storms, does our relationship with Krishna shelter us automatically or do we need to do something special?
897)
Can we live without expectation in relationships?
896)
Our longing for love is perfected in Krishna
895)
Go beyond Hurry Worry Sorry
894)
Can we be enthusiastic without being passionate?
893)
To manage the mind, regulate the mind’s diet
892)
Preserving tradition means fulfilling the purpose of the tradition
891)
How to deal with people who don’t want to clarify misunderstandings?
890)
Cooperating among equals
889)
How can we control anger?
888)
What spiritual principles can inspire devotees to live cooperatively?
887)
How can we dovetail attraction to fiction in bhakti?
886)
Is there any formula to always appreciate devotees?
885)
How can we practically redirect our emotions towards Krishna?
884)
When Nectar of Devotion is the lawbook for ISKCON, why is it not stressed enough?
883)
How does Krishna take away the karma of his devotees?
882)
How can we develop a taste for bhakti and chanting?
881)
How to spiritually reach people who aren’t receptive to hearing Krishna’s glories?
880)
How can we help reluctant people to become spiritually elevated?
879)
Prabhupada – dependent on Krishna yet dynamic in service – 50th anniversary address
878)
How are trust and expectation related? Can we love without trust?
877)
How to deal with anger when others hurt us?
876)
IDEA – 4 insights for facing adversities
875)
How can I write a book?
874)
Is thinking that we may not attain Krishna in one life being realistic or being lethargic?
873)
How can we avoid losing enthusiasm as we keep practicing bhakti over the years?
872)
How do our relationships in this world relate with our relationship with Krishna?
871)
How can we connect with God to get positive energy?
870)
How do we deal with negativity coming from reading bad news?
869)
What is the best way to get positive thoughts regularly?
868)
How can we decide when pursuing material things is enough?
867)
Intention in Tension? – Principles for Sustainable Relationships
866)
How do we balance serving according to our nature with asssiting our guru’s mission?
865)
How can we find like-minded association?
864)
How can we avoid taking steps forward and then backward in our spiritual life?
863)
How can we differentiate between Krishna and Maya in subtle situations?
862)
How can we cultivate the disposition of surrender?
861)
Manage the mind through introspection and meditation
September 2015
860)
Can’t judging be a means of self-defense?
859)
If we correct with good intention, isn’t that good enough?
858)
Judgmental attitude ruins relationships
857)
How can we practice bhakti-yoga on a daily basis?
856)
How can we control the unstable mind?
855)
How can we set spiritual goals that harmonize with our material goals?
854)
How to find our true nature?
853)
How much should we discipline our children in practical things such as watching TV?
852)
How can devotee-parents deal with children who don’t practice bhakti seriously?
851)
How can bhakti help our children in their careers?
850)
Parenting Principles from Bhagavad-gita
849)
What to do when our vertical and horizontal relationships are not symbiotic?
848)
Prabhupada encouraged competition but that sometimes led to ego and power struggle – how to understand?
847)
How to recover from harsh words of some devotees?
846)
How can we practically experience Krishna’s love for us?
845)
How to be selective in our association without becoming judgmental?
844)
What does beating the mind with broom and shoe mean?
843)
How can we prevent the mind from obsessing over negative things that shouldn’t happen?
842)
How can we spiritualize the willing function of the mind?
841)
MIND acronym 2 – Mind imagines pleasure
840)
How to fight against the minds self-sabotaging inner dialogue?
839)
How to deal with relatives who hurt us by their ego and negativity?
838)
How can we go beyond suppressing desire to becoming free from even the urge?
837)
How to sustain our bhakti when we have to live in materialistic association
836)
MIND acronym 1 – Magnifies the problem
835)
How to respond when a devotee is criticized by a devotee or a nondevotee?
834)
“Can you keep a secret?”
833)
Offering to Srila Prabhupada – Meditating on your life for dedicating my life
832)
Appreciating Sankirtan Prabhu’s frontline literary outreach
August 2015
831)
Can a devotee do karma-kandi rituals for earning a living?
830)
How can we reconcile “act according to your nature” and “do what Krishna wants you to do, not what you want to do”?
829)
How can we avoid comparing ourselves with others while living in a comparing culture?
828)
How can we avoid moroseness caused by repeatedly falling for sense gratification?
827)
How can we serve according to our nature within an institutional setup?
826)
Temptations may come, we don’t have to welcome
825)
How can we make our heart into a temple?
824)
Prabhupada: The moments that made his movement – Part 3
823)
Prabhupada: The moments that made his movement – Part 2
822)
Prabhupada: The moments that made his movement – Part 1
821)
How does fasting on Ekadashi increase our love for Krishna?
820)
How can we develop the contradictory qualities of enthusiasm and patience?
819)
Should we love ourselves or hate ourselves?
818)
Isnt fear of entanglement in grihastha life desirable?
817)
Should one not become an IAS officer because one will get the karma of the people under one’s jurisdiction?
816)
Which books of the previous acharayas can sadhakas read?
815)
Doesn’t ISKCON’s rule to glorify Srila Prabhupada and not one’s guru go against Vedic culture of glorifying one’s guru?
814)
How can we ensure that we apply what we learn?
813)
After completing brahmachari training, how to overcome fear of entanglement while entering grihastha ashrama?
812)
Should we pray for Krishna’s help for dealing with some problem in our profession even when such problem is material?
811)
Should we pray for going BTG or pray for serving Krishna in this world?
810)
While praying how can we cultivate emotions without becoming sahajiyaic?
809)
What does it mean to remember Krishna while chanting?
808)
When later never comes, why tell people to postpone spiritual life for material life?
807)
Shouldn’t we teach the highest standard, otherwise people will rationalize their materialism?
July 2015
806)
Is the idea of focusing on material life instead of spiritual life a deviation from Prabhupadas teachings?
805)
The quest for fame deconstructed and redirected
804)
Gita 14.12 – Passion produces workoholism – protect yourself by devotion
803)
What to when the mind despite our devotional practices gets caught in something?
802)
Are ISKCON devotees CIA agents?
801)
How can we avoid blaming our spiritual life for our not being fast enough or ambitious enough in our material life?
800)
How can we remember Krishna constantly in a passionate company environment?
799)
Does humility mean dishonestly blaming ourselves for things we haven’t done?
798)
Is the bead bag to be worshiped like Krishna?
June 2015
797)
Should a devotee cardiac surgeon avoid doing angioplasty because it uses an animal product injection?
796)
Should we be humble with nondevotees who may exploit us?
795)
How do we understand the statement that women are less intelligent?
794)
Even after practicing bhakti why do we still have worldly desires?
793)
Prabhupada’s legacy lives on
792)
How can we overcome loneliness?
791)
How can I serve with someone who doesn’t like me?
790)
How do we differentiate between the mind and the intelligence when the mind can also speak good things?
789)
How do we know which is our voice, the minds voice and the Supersoul’s voice?
788)
How can we use emotional intelligence to manage our relationships?
787)
As we will become attached to services we like should we also take services we dont like?
786)
Should we seek financial security first so that we can focus more on bhakti later?
785)
How do we differentiate between sentimental practice of bhakti and sentiments coming from bhakti?
784)
How can following rules lead to developing of spontaneous love?
783)
Should we seek satisfaction by serving according to our nature of sacrifice by doing whatever we are told to do?
782)
How can I overcome confusion about which spiritual master to choose?
781)
Can working devotee-mothers send their children to child care?
780)
Why does Prabhupada give Sanskrit word-to-word translations that aren not found in Sanskrit dictionaries?
779)
Personal Management Mantra – Productivity in Activity through Spirituality
778)
Is it ok to savor the good feelings we get while practicing bhakti?
777)
How can we stay busy in Krishna consciousness?
776)
Krishna can bring good out of everything – even our mistakes
775)
How to avoid boredom while hearing the same points being repeated in classes?
774)
How should we pray in front of the Deities?
773)
How do we know whether we are accepting and rejecting while surrendering based on the mind or the intelligence?
772)
Managing the mind 2 – Catch the ventriloquist with intellectual and emotional energy
771)
Managing the mind 1 – The mind is the TV and the thief
770)
How important are close relationships with devotees?
769)
How can we prevent ability from making us proud?
768)
How can brahmacharis avoid feeling superior to grihasthas?
767)
In the name of not worrying, how can we avoid becoming irresponsible?
766)
How can we avoid becoming proud on getting a position of power?
765)
How do we deal with faultfinding mentality wrt uncleanliness among our loved ones?
764)
How can we manage our relations with nondevotee family members?
763)
Spiritual Advancement and Material Ambitiousness
762)
How can we give up addictions so that we can practice bhakti?
761)
When our professional and family responsibilities already fill our schedule, why should we take the additional burden of practicing bhakti?
760)
How do we deal with emotions of others – friends, relatives and devotees?
759)
How do we deal with the inner conflict created by having within us both dharmic knowledge and worldly emotions?
758)
If someone doesn’t have a photographic memory, is that injustice or does it mean he is meant to excel in some field that doesn’t require such a memory?
757)
If someone doesnt have a photographic memory is that injustice or does it mean he is meant to excel in some field that doesnt require such a memory?
756)
How can we increase nama-ruchi?
755)
How can we serve according to our nature when knowing our nature takes time?
754)
Should we force our teenage children to take to bhakti or leave it to Krishna’s will?
753)
When people say we don’t care about next life karmic consequences how should we preach to them?
May 2015
752)
How can we continue in bhakti when our faith in devotees is shaken?
751)
How can we avoid pride while doing service?
750)
We feel more eager to read news than scripture – what to do?
749)
How can we strengthen our faith in Krishna amidst difficulties?
748)
Obstacles on the spiritual path at the level of intelligence, mind and faith
747)
How does mantra singing help in emotional healing?
746)
Krishna can bring good out of everything – even our mistakes
745)
How can we make the effect of hearing last for long?
744)
How can we face problems caused by others without falling for the blame game?
743)
When chanting is so simple why do we feel so lazy – how can we chant constantly?
742)
How should we see unbrahminical behavior of brahman-initiated devotees?
April 2015
741)
How can we ensure that our words of correction act as scalpels, not axes?
740)
What can we do in a relationship when the other person doesn’t want clarification?
739)
How can we overcome our ego?
738)
What does it mean to not take credit for the things we do?
737)
Is it hypocritical to criticize others for faults we ourselves have?
March 2015
736)
Should I postpone my sadhana bhakti to focus on college studies?
735)
How can I protect my bhakti from bad association in college?
734)
Should we eat as less as possible or eat to stay healthy for serving Krishna?
733)
How do we understand Srila Prabhupada’s statements on rape?
732)
How can devotees face anxieties caused by worldly threats like crimes?
731)
Understanding acharaya’s controversial statements
February 2015
730)
ISKCON’s Comeback Emperor – H H Jayapataka Swami Maharaj
729)
ISKCON’s Comeback Emperor: His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja
728)
Don’t be so concerned about others’ future destination as to be cut off from their present emotion
727)
Should we hate the mind?
726)
Will soldiers who fight in today’s wars be doing vikarma?
725)
Why do ISKCON devotees pronounce Sanskrit words differently from traditional pronunciations?
724)
Vaishnava Sadachara 4 – Managing harmoniously
723)
Vaishnava Sadachara 3 – Acting according to time place circumstance
722)
Vaishnava Sadachara 2 – Dealing appropriately with different people
721)
Vaishnava Sadachara 1 – Importance of Sadachara
January 2015
720)
How can we know which things increase our doubt and which increase our faith?
719)
Do neophyte devotees also represent Krishna? How?
718)
Is the mind always our enemy?
717)
When we get answers to doubts about which we pray, should we see those answers as Krishna’s reciprocation?
716)
If a senior devotee asks me to take up a major service that he himself is not good at, should I follow him?
715)
How can we help a dying relative attain emotional closure with an unforgiving relative?
714)
How can we best help a relative who is near death?
December 2014
713)
Is ISKCON misappropriating sanatana-dharma?
712)
Hold on to Hari, not to worry
711)
Hold on to Hari, not to worry
710)
Making our scriptural study relevant
709)
To practice bhakti strictly is it better to be fanatical?
708)
How do we help people hurt by insensitive behavior of devotees?
707)
The difference between sentimentality and sensitivity – SB 4.8.26
November 2014
706)
How can we use gadgets in bhakti without becoming attached?
705)
What will it take for us to lose faith in our mind?
704)
Does bhakti make us unambitious?
703)
When chanting requires mind control, why do we say that chanting leads to mind control?
702)
Words shape worlds – watch your words
701)
What leads to spirtual advancement – taking more responsibility in service or doing more chanting?
700)
Should we stop voting in elections because no political party stops sinful activities?
699)
Will devotional service free us from a painful disorder?
698)
Is controlling lust forcibly helpful or harmful?
October 2014
697)
How do we deal with students who take to KC to escape from studies?
696)
Can we take charanamrita when curd is forbidden during Chaturmasya?
695)
How can birthday celebrations be made more traditional and spiritual?
694)
Should birthday celebrations for devotees’ children be banned?
693)
I study scripture but don’t find it relevant to me. What to do?
692)
Why does ISKCON have such a negatively sex-obsessed conception of bhakti?
691)
What goes around comes around – assume accountability
690)
Why does Prabhupada glorify kaitava dharma by talking about how dharma produces artha?
689)
Why do we sometimes act irrationally, doing things that we would normally never do?
688)
Why do we sometimes act like mad, doing things that we would normally never do?
687)
Isn’t it better to chant extra than to use dama and bheda with the mind?
686)
How can we approach science by which we can go closer to Krishna?
685)
When science is being misused to propagate atheism, isn’t it the responsibility of devotees to counter that by scientific outreach?
684)
How can devotees staying in the temple be engaged according to their natures?
683)
How do we balance between endeavor for bodily maintenance and dependence on Krishna?
682)
How do we balance between remaining faithful to Srila Prabhupada and presenting according to time-place-circumstances?
681)
When different devotees quote Srila Prabhupada’s different quotes to support their positions, how can we know what he would have wanted?
680)
How can one avoid defying authority in the name of serving according to svabhava?
679)
When today spiritual masters can’t personally instruct disciples about their services, how can we best serve Krishna?
678)
How much can devotees facing emergenices be allowed to relax standards?
677)
How do we avoid prayasa in the services we like to do?
676)
Appreciating different definitions of success in devotional service
675)
Just as we take non-Ayurvedic medicines, can we adopt non-devotional astrological prescriptions?
674)
Don’t be worn out by the mind – wear the mind out
673)
How do we deal with our tendency to perceive others negatively?
672)
Preaching sensitively
671)
We know Krishna loves devotees, still we offend them – how can we stop this?
670)
How do we connect with ISKCON people who are connected with other religious organisations?
669)
How do we deal with people who find our standard philosophical presentations too simple?
668)
How much will the mode of preaching be affected by the nature of different preachers?
667)
When we feel empty and impure, how can we persevere in devotion?
666)
How can we experience Krishna’s love at our present level of devotion?
September 2014
665)
Right and wrong definitions of success in grihastha life
664)
How can we stay open to new ideas without weakening our convictions?
663)
How can we keep our mind steady amidst outer agitation and inner temptation?
662)
What should we do when we are blamed for something?
661)
Why do we offer prasad and how is it to be offered?
660)
How should we respond to classes that seem confusing and contradictory to the standard philosophical understanding
659)
Does ISKCON consider the English of the 1920s to be sacred?
658)
Why are ISKCON temples so commercialised?
657)
Can sick devotees adopt a diet of only raw foods if it improves their health?
656)
How can I surrender to Krishna?
655)
When the guru is mostly inaccessible to disciples, isn’t initiation just a rubber-stamp?
654)
To seek love in food is to relapse into emotional babyhood
653)
Is it selfish to want taste in chanting?
652)
To seek love in food is to relapse into emotional babyhood
651)
Don’t let pseudo-hunger masquerade as hunger
650)
Don’t let pseudo-hunger masquerade as hunger
649)
Was Prabhupada’s renunciation in the mode of passion as it was triggered by frustration with uncooperative family members?
August 2014
648)
Accepting our limitations helps us see the light beyond limitations – SB 10.49.19
647)
Prabhupada Vyasapuja offering at Radha Gopinath temple
646)
When everything is in Prabhupada’s books, what is the need to read other books either by ISKCON devotees or previous acharyas?
645)
Does Prabhupada’s instruction ‘do as I have done’ mean there’s no need to innovate in preaching”
644)
How do we decide which of our emotions are material and which are spiritual?
643)
Is a devotee’s grihastha-ashrama a failure if the children don’t become devotees?
642)
Is the prayer to get a good spouse a material prayer?
641)
The weapon for waging the world’s most formidable spiritual war (Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja Offering 2014)
640)
As developing internal conviction takes time, isn’t it better to be stimulated in our devotion by external inspiration?
639)
How do you maintain consistency in your daily writing year after year?
638)
Are tragedies in our lives such as a relative committing suicide God’s punishments on us?
637)
How should relatives of a suicide resolve their anger towards that person?
636)
Should relatives communicate via planchette with someone who has committed suicide?
635)
If a good person commits suicide due to some frustration, what is their destination?
634)
Does a sudden tragedy in the lives of God’s worshipers indicates that God is too busy in his own kingdom to protect?
633)
Does taking anti-depressant drugs as medicine violate the no intoxication principle?
632)
Why do we need to be in the mode of goodness to practice bhakti?
631)
Do we need to introspect whether we are progressing in our spiritual life?
630)
Does one have to give up one’s material life on becoming an ISKCON member, even if one doesn’t become a brahmachari?
629)
Is ISKCON an organization for rich people?
July 2014
628)
How do we decide when to forgive and when to fight back?
627)
How to choose between doing our worldly repsonsibilities devotionally and doing directly devotional activities?
626)
How do we develop taste for studying scripture?
625)
When can a devotee seek honor instead of being humble?
624)
Are the intelligence and ego just transformations of the mind or are they constitutionally different?
623)
What does vikalpa mean in the mind’s sanklpa-vikalpa?
622)
Is experience a pramana if one’s experience contradicts scripture?
621)
How do we deal with people’s fear that ISKCON preachers will make ours sons into brahmacharis?
620)
How do we know whether we desire to preach for fame or for pleasing Krishna?
619)
Can grihasthas who want to preach make preaching as their source of livelihood?
618)
The religious rural culture of India is being replaced by materialisitc culture. What can we do to counter this?
617)
Should we preach to make people ISKCON devotees or to make them better human beings?
616)
How can we understand which mode we are in?
615)
How can we stay in the mode of goodness?
614)
Why does the mind develop bad habits more easily than good habits?
June 2014
613)
How can we overcome the tendency to take the association of devotees for granted?
612)
What is the difference between bhara-vahi and sara-grahi Vaishnavas?
611)
Are we compromising when we use mild words like outreach instead of Prabhupada’s standard words like preaching?
610)
Selecting our association without being judgmental or offensive
609)
If we shouldn’t be disturbed by the mind’s impurities, then how can we beat the mind?
608)
Why do we have to give up material pleasures to experience spiritual pleasures?
607)
Maturity means to not let our emotionality interfere with our responsibility
606)
Prabhupada quotes largely from the Puranas so how can we show that our sampradaya is based on shruti?
605)
Why do insubstantial religious groups spread extensively and pure saints remain unknown?
604)
Who is better – one who chants all day or one who chants a few times and serves others all day?
603)
Meditation minimizes inner friction and maximizes outer contribution
602)
If we cant fast nirjala on Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi what benefit do we get?
601)
Confrontation or Penetration – Two approaches to sharing Krishna consciousness
600)
Safe, Danger and Relapse Zones in the War against temptation
599)
How can we strengthen our resolve to correct our wrongs?
598)
How can we forgive not just with lips but with the heart?
597)
When we don’t feel like asking for forgiveness what should we do?
596)
Is forgiveness practical?
595)
Why are divorces more among devotees than nondevotees?
594)
Can devotees watch TV serials about Krishna’s pastimes?
May 2014
593)
Has ISKCON replaced the scriptural worship of Ganesh in Hindu temples with the unscriptural worship of Prabhupada in its temples?
592)
If one has devotion, why does one need to count the names of God?
591)
As India is still receptive to direct devotional preaching and Prabhupada emphasized that, shouldn’t that be our emphasis too?
590)
I like to chant and meditate on the Supersoul. As that is my nature, can I just do this and not do other devotional activities?
589)
How can we know whether we are using our intelligence in Krishna’s service or are just enjoying Krishna consciousness intellectually?
588)
Do devotees have to oppose science to be faithful to Prabhupada?
587)
Can we preach without using technology as such use can distract one from Krishna?
586)
During preaching, how important is it to provide relevant material information in addition to the paramapara’s message?
585)
If the son practices bhakti, then will his non-devotee parents’ get a good next-life destination due to their son’s bhakti?
584)
We hear so much in various classes, but apply very little from it. How can we change this?
583)
We often feel like doing different things in bhakti at different times – how can we steadily maintain interest in one thing?
582)
While using a talent such as music for Krishna how can we transfer our attachment from that talent to Krishna?
581)
How can we avoid frustration at our inability to follow the standards of devotional service?
580)
If one has not had the habit of reading books but likes to hear, how can one develop that habit in bhakti?
579)
Wouldn’t ISKCON be more united if it had Prabhupada as the only diksha-guru?
578)
When a disciple whose guru falls doesn’t have to be re-initiated because of being connected with Prabhupada why can’t the same happen without initation in the first place?
577)
When ISKCON’s diksha-guru is not absolute but is subordinate to GBC due to Prabhupada’s will, doesn’t that make Prabhupada ISKCON’s diksha-guru?
576)
Should Indian devotees preach to Indians and Western devotees preach to Westerners so as to have culturally sensitive presentations of Krishna-bhakti?
575)
How much should we seach on the internet for good Krishna conscious content?
574)
How can I protect my bhakti when I go home and am with my pre-bhakti friends with whom I had indulged in bad habits?
573)
How much should devotee-writers learn English grammar and style to write effectively for Krishna?
572)
Value Education and Spirituality 6 – The Spiritual Foundation of Values 4 – Let secularism protect us from narrow-mindedness, not restrict us in empty-mindedness
571)
Value Education and Spirituality 5 – The Spiritual Foundation of Values 3 – Three non-sectarian arguments for the existence of God
570)
Value Education and Spirituality 4 – The Spiritual Foundation of Values 2 – Karma shows the sense in life’s seeming senselessness
569)
Value Education and Spirituality 3 – The Spiritual Foundation of Values 1 – The end is not the end
568)
Value Education and Spirituality 8 – Mahabharata 2 – Duryodhana – Envy leads to destructive competition that is dissatisfying and degrading
567)
Value Education and Spirituality 7 – Mahabharata 1 – Shakuni – Imaginary expectation leads to real destruction
566)
Are devotees being told to be too other-worldly that something so simple as voting is made into such a big issue?
565)
Are chanting and going to the temple bhakti only if they are done to please Krishna?
564)
Why doesn’t ISKCON practice what it preaches? First new devotees are told to be detached from their parents and then senior brahmacharis spend months caring for their dying parents
April 2014
563)
Is it right to feel envious of advanced devotees for their spiritual advancement? If not, how to deal with it?
562)
Can talents like mimicry and comedy be used in devotional service?
561)
How can we know if someone is correcting out of ego or out of concern?
560)
Should we as followers of Srila Prabhupada also study the books of the previous acharyas?
559)
Did Prabhupada sanction the post-publishing editing of his books?
558)
Is it appropriate to judge students by the marks obtained by them in their examination?
557)
How can we introspect about our devotional progresss? How can we rise from kanishtha to madhyama level?
556)
What is the point of taking initiation from a spiritual master when there is very little chance of getting personal guidance from him?
555)
ISKCON appreciations
554)
ISKCON’s contributions to India 6 – Appreciation of India’s spiritual culture among Indian youth
553)
ISKCON’s contributions to India 5 – Infrastructure provision for spiritual practice in modern times
552)
ISKCON’s contributions to India 4 – Development
551)
ISKCON’s contributions to India 3 – Non-discrimination in sharing spirituality
550)
ISKCON’s contributions to India 2 – Internationalization of India’s spiritual culture
549)
ISKCON’s contributions to India 1 – Overview acronym INDIA
548)
To grow individually and socially, look for the weakness in yourself and the goodness in others
547)
For him, Back to Godhead was both the means and the end
546)
Value Education and Spirituality 2 – Our values serve as protecting fences and as focusing default settings
545)
Value Education and Spirituality 1 – What we value determines our values – and our values determine our value
March 2014
544)
Should a devotee work in a devotional project where one can directly serve Krishna or in a secular company by which one can offer more donation?
543)
How much anxiety shoud we take up for our devotional activities?
542)
If our nondevotee parents discourage our children’s enthusiasm for bhakti by calling it brainwashing by dangerous cults, how should we respond?
541)
When people around us force us to things that aren’t according to devotional standards how should we respond?
540)
When the disciplic succession has many branches, why do we need to connect with it only through Srila Prabhupada’s branch?
539)
Is it ok to be attracted more to the cultural aspects of KC than its philosophical aspect?
538)
When we ask questions how can we know whether we simply want to confirm our pre-conconceptions or seek open-minded understanding?
537)
Once I had immense bhakti, but now I have lost it. How can I regain it?
536)
Reviving Love 1 – Para dharma contrasted with apara dharmas like patriotism, be-good and service to parents
535)
The four P’s of effective chanting – Posture, Pronunciation, Purity and Prayerfulness
534)
Let go of all ties (conditions, conditionings and competition) and live life wise and nice
533)
How can we control the hyperactive imagination during chanting?
532)
If eating opulent prasad harms our consciousness how can we regulate our eating?
531)
Expanding the intersection of our emotional circle and Krishna’s emotional circle
530)
While chanting is it better to just focus on the holy name or on a mahamantra sticker or on a picture of the Deities?
529)
When some devotee praises us, should we stop that devotee or go away or hear passively?
528)
How does Krishna consciousness practically solve the world’s problems like violence, poverty and drug abuse?
527)
How can we practically engage in Krishna’s service all the time?
526)
How can we ensure that the give and take between devotees doesn’t become artificial or business-like?
525)
Does chanting all 16 rounds at one stretch lead to greater concentration?
524)
When Prabhupada’s books will be the lawbooks for 10,000 years, how can we contextualize them?
523)
Tapping our irreducible individuality in bhakti-yoga
February 2014
522)
How important is it for devotee-couples to follow the Vedic model for gender roles in their relationship?
521)
When the mahaprasad of devotees is so glorious, why are we discouraged from taking it during our regular interactions with other devotees?
520)
What should a devotee do on being overcome by temptation?
January 2014
519)
Amidst life-threatening situations like attack by robbers, should a devotee tolerate, retaliate or flee?
518)
If a person feels spaced out after chanting 16 rounds daily and more focused after chanting less rounds, what should be done?
517)
If devotees’ children are advanced devotees from past lives, why do many of those children not become devotees in this life?
516)
Should we avoid offering obeisances to senior devotees in public places because people find it alienating
515)
When Krishna is satisfied by simple devotion do we need technical intellectual analysis as done by Gita-daily articles?
514)
Can we integrate walking as an exercise with our daily chanting?
513)
Is the quality of chanting inversely proportional to the speed of chanting?
512)
How can we channelize our emotions in devotional service?
511)
How can devotees do their material activities in spiritual consciousness?
510)
Is chanting 16 rounds practical for an engineering student (or for anyone in our fast-paced times)?
509)
If someone is really determined in one’s devotional service, why would that person fall?
508)
How can we practice humility in a competitive world where everyone parades their credentials?
507)
Do we need a personal culture with many devotee teachers? Does it mean that one guru is not enough?
December 2013
506)
How can an aspiring devotee-precher put one’s heart in a career that increases people’s illusions?
505)
How can we avoid the ego’s feeling that service to others is demeaning?
504)
How can we avoid pride during times of material success and remain thankful to Krishna?
503)
In our efforts to become pure, pride somehow or the other sneaks in. How to avoid this?
502)
When we have to spend time on family duties, how can we stay strong in our devotional standards?
501)
What can we do when the mind gets agitated by a tempting sense object that can’t be avoided?
500)
We surrender to Krishna’s will sometimes but mostly act for our own pleasure. What is our hope?
499)
If we are served more prasad than what we can eat, can we throw it away?
498)
When Prabhupada did many things different from his spiritual master, how did he not change anything?
497)
How can we identify false ego while doing services?
496)
When do questions move from being inquisitive to offensive? What kind of questions can be asked?
495)
What is the destination of those people who die after receiving blessings of advanced devotees?
494)
Does having some ambitions in life mean having material attachments and doing tenth offence?
493)
Why do we take shelter of Krishna more in difficult times like exam period but not during sadhana and service?
492)
Should a devotee oppose crimes like rapes? Should he feel compassion for the criminal?
491)
Does Prabhupada’s request to cooperate with devotees mean that we allow them to exploit us?
490)
How can we pray for those who are troubling us?
489)
How can sitting erect like Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati help in our chanting?
488)
How can a student who wants to become a brahmachari in future feel inspired to do academic studies?
487)
How can we avoid getting caught in doubts about unimportant issues while studying scriptures?
486)
Can we use Tulasi as medicine in life-threatening diseases?
485)
Should we avoid discriminating between male and female to avoid agitation by lust?
484)
How can we increase our tolerance to temptations?
483)
If we feel grief-struck on losing a loved one, how do we relate with Krishna thereafter?
482)
How can we best offer prayers from the Bhagavatam?
481)
Is there any difference between dambha, darpa and abhimana in Gita 16.04?
480)
How much should a grihastha plan for financial security and how much depend on Krishna?
479)
Prabhupada presented Krishna consciousness sensitively, then why did he use the word cult not culture to refer to his movement?
478)
How can we develop divine passion? Do we need an external motivation?
477)
Is the passion for our material duties like excelling in studies desirable or undesirable?
November 2013
476)
If the temple management organizes kirtan festivals with singers who do not follow high standards of sadhana, should we participate in such festivals?
475)
Is it right for devotees to use kirtan singing for earning their living?
474)
Srila Prabhupada recommended monarchy in his books, yet instituted democracy in managing ISKCON through the GBC. Why?
473)
How can we practice and share Krishna consciousness when the political leadership is uncooperative or even opposed?
472)
In what mood should we take darshan of Deities?
471)
Should we chant and wait for feeling to come or chant with feeling?
470)
How do we deal with people who become cold or hostile when we share Krishna consciousness with them?
469)
In today’s competitive society, how can we practice simple living & high thinking?
468)
How can we determine our varna?
467)
How can we avoid becoming lethargic in spiritual life?
466)
If we are not to slave for worldly recognition, how can we go ahead in life?
465)
Fear not that life may end; fear that life may never begin
464)
How can we counter competitive mentality when we see other devotees succeeding in spiritual life?
463)
If devotees are troubled by black magic can they seek a remedy from tantriks?
462)
How do we see spiritualists who want to control others to maintain their own position?
461)
If we get angry with our children while trying to guide them about right or wrong, is that due to controlling mentality? How can we best guide them?
460)
As the world judges us by actions not dispositions how can we avoid the confusion caused by wrong judgments?
459)
How much importance should devotee-parents give for the material education of their children, especially preparing them for competitive exams etc?
458)
Does having equal disposition towards all mean tolerating troubles from others passively?
457)
How can we avoid pride without going into self-pity?
456)
Does being humble mean being indifferent towards honor or being absorbed in Krishna?
455)
Do householder devotees need to attend the temple morning program daily to be surrendered?
454)
How can we rectify an offense, especially when the devotee whom we have offended doesn’t know about the offense?
453)
Should we hear only from advanced pure devotees or from whichever devotees inspire us?
452)
Should there be dowry in devotee-marriages?
451)
Can devotees do abortion if it is favorable for their bhakti?
450)
How can we avoid isolation when people around us misunderstand our intentions and hurt us?
October 2013
449)
See within to seek without; seek without to see within
448)
If a senior brahmachari changes his ashrama, how should we understand that situation and deal with that devotee?
447)
Can a homosexual become a brahmachari?
446)
How can we take shelter of Krishna when the sexual urge troubles us while we are resting in bed?
445)
Should devotee read books by nondevotee nationalist thinkers to learn how to protect Vedic culture and actualize varnashrama in today’s society?
444)
Should we avoid debates with argumentative people who believe that technology is beneficial?
443)
What prevents us from applying what we hear? How can we correct it?
442)
If we like to hear do we still need to chant more to make spiritual advancement?
441)
In what consciousness should we attend festivals centered on demigod worship that we are obligated to attend?
440)
Four empowerments from hearing
439)
Can hearing classes on the internet substitute for going to the temple to hear classes?
September 2013
438)
Can we attain a level where nothing that Krishna does can stop us from loving him?
437)
Prabhupada’s war stratey for penetrating America
436)
While hearing scripture, should we seek solutions to our current problems through the hearing or just focus on hearing about Krishna?
435)
I have joined as a brahmachari but am opposed and troubled by my relatives. How should I stay strong?
434)
I am suffering from a diease from last 10 years almost. May i know how my problem can be resolved.
433)
How can we overcome laziness, especially wrt waking up in the morning?
432)
Due to some problems with the local temple devotees, I have stopped going there. How can I maintain my enthusiasm in practicing devotional service?
431)
When money offers security amidst uncertainty how can one give up material ambition for spiritual pursuits?
430)
How can we love Krishna when he is not like a normal person and doesn’t reciprocate immediately?
429)
Does loving Krishna always protect us from all heartbreaks?
428)
Can the level of language in Gita-daily articles be made simpler?
427)
How can we avoid complacency in spiritual life?
426)
How do we choose whether to serve in the cities and reach out to many people or in rural communities for reviving varnashrama?
425)
If one likes to study scripture more than do other services does that make one a jnani and not a bhakta?
424)
As the consciousness at conception determines the kind of soul coming to the womb isn’t abortion desirable during pregnancy after rape so as to avoid unwanted progeny?
423)
How can an IAS officer help in sharing Krishna consciosness since India is a secular country?
422)
When the Bhagavatam simply condemns household life, how can we as householders get encouragement from it to face life’s problems?
421)
If the chidren of devotees don’t become devotees, then does the devotee-parents’ duty of caring for their chilldren no longer count as devotional service?
420)
What should I do when my devotional service interferes with my duties as a mother?
419)
When a loved one has passed away, isn’t it heartless to dismiss the resulting grief as mundane?
418)
Can devotees practice hath yoga for health?
417)
How can we best study scriptures?
416)
How can we make rapid spiritual advancement?
415)
What to do when we feel attracted to holy names other than the mahamantra?
414)
If our philosophy is based on the level of love, why do we talk about sex mostly at the level of fear – fears of its consequences?
413)
When a leader of a devotee community acts unethically should we try to correct the situation or should we leave it in Krishna’s hands?
412)
As you were a GRE topper, can you tell how we can prepare for GRE?
August 2013
411)
RRR – Reprobate Rescued and Reformed – Lessons from Ajamila Pastime
410)
Srila Prabhupada – the leader who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way (Vyasa Puja Offering 2013)
409)
Why does ISKCON focus on English outreach when everyone understands Hindi?
408)
Due to its emphasis on class preaching, is ISKCON not losing the opportunity for mass preaching?
407)
How can we differentiate between offering help and interfering in others’ business?
406)
Won’t adjusting according to time-place-circumstances lead to deviations?
405)
If we get sensual immoral dreams, does that indicate we are fallen? How should we respond?
404)
How do we ensure that we don’t just enjoy KC intellectually and not advance spiritually?
403)
Should devotees do kirtan in drought-afflicted places to produce rains and thereby attract people to devotional service?
402)
Can a devotee pursue a career as a cricketer?
401)
Can devotees enter into politics?
400)
If bhakti offers higher taste why do devotees still struggle with sex desire?
399)
Are birthday celebrations for devotees authentic from the Vedic perspective?
398)
How can we stop our family members from using items having animal products?
397)
When trying to figure out Krishna’s lesson for us makes us indecisive what should we do?
396)
How can we deal with doubts rising on seeing that many leading Prabhupada disciples are no longer practicing KC?
395)
How can we absorb ourselves in devotional service?
394)
When should we concern ourselves with helping other devotees and when should we mind our own business?
393)
How can we differentiate between yukta-vairagya and bhoga-vrtti?
392)
How should we prepare for giving our first Bhagavatam class?
July 2013
391)
Can we be fully dependent on Krishna? How?
390)
How can we offer correction without committing offenses?
389)
Should devotees bathe in Radha-Kunda?
388)
How should we receive criticism constructively?
387)
Is using Radha Kunda tilaka authentic?
386)
How can we remember Krishna constantly and also do our work properly?
385)
If our KC becomes weak away from devotee association, does it mean that our core conviction is weak?
384)
If we chant while doing other activities, won’t that chanting be inattentive and thereby offensive?
383)
When does medical treatment interfere with nature?
382)
Do engineers have secure future in devotional life?
381)
Is a devotee born in a brahmin family working in a bank a brahmana or a vaishya?
380)
Should one give charity even while being in debt?
379)
Can devotees perform agnihotra sacrifice?
378)
Isn’t the Goswamis’ having boatful of gold atyahara?
377)
How can we learn to contemplate on scriptural verses?
376)
If we are in a service that doesn’t inspire us how long can we continue in that service?
375)
Can devotees use positive thinking techniques like visualizations and affirmations?
374)
If devotees don’t notice our service, then is our service authorized or whimsical?
373)
Isn’t it better to do one thing at a time instead of chanting inattentively while doing other things?
372)
Is it ok to celebrate Holi to attract new people to the temple?
371)
How can we differentiate between humility and humiliation?
370)
Does Krishna protect his devotee-students from bullies at school?
369)
Don’t you like me? You haven’t answered my question for a long time.
368)
Is it right for devotees to say that they are Krishna-tarians when it conveys the idea that we are consuming Krishna the way vegetarians consume vegetables?
367)
What are the kind of questions that fall under counseling questions which you won’t be answering on the site?
366)
How can we sustain the momentum in spiritual life year after year?
365)
Is it ok to ask for a specific wish like our family’s well being in our prayers?
364)
How can we ensure that honest communication doesn’t become Vaishnva apradh?
363)
How and Who decides that the involvement in the stock market is cautious and won’t effect the mind?
362)
How can we better recollect what we hear in classes?
361)
I dont get any questions on hearing lectures. Is this good or bad?
360)
How can a deaf and dumb person chant the holy names?
359)
When we fall in our devotional standards, we feel guilty and become discouraged. How should we go ahead at such times?
358)
Is dealing in shares in the stock market against the principle of no gambling?
357)
If I am facing problems with my counselor’s behavior towards me, should i tell him directly or to some other senior devotee?
356)
Are divorces among ISKCON devotees happening because most devotees have Western gurus who subsconsciously Western culture among their disciples?
355)
As guilt due to falldown can also be a temptation, should one just neglect guilt and keep practicing devotional service?
354)
If a devotee due to repeated falls feels that I wont be able to go BTG and so becomes discouraged how should we respond to that devotee?
353)
What should one do if after practising years of devotional service also, one gives in to temptations and falls down?
352)
I have been a lifelong strict vegetarian but due to bad association have eaten meat and so am feeling myself becoming impure and going away from Krishna. What should I do?
351)
What are the types of lectures we need to hear in a week so that we will joyfully stay in KC?
350)
Is there any diiference between a devotee taking medicine for a disease and he doing demigod worship for treating the disease?
349)
When I chant I cry like a child for the mother Is this normal or is it because I am emotional?
348)
When hearing Vedic philosophy distracts me from studies what should I do?
347)
Can we offer milk breads of good companies to Krishna ?
346)
When so many people are facing real problems, why should we spend time in spiritual practices like meditation instead of doing something practical to help?
345)
Look at the mind before you look with the mind
344)
How can intellectually inclined devotees engage themselves in devotional service?
343)
Should devotees put their children in English Medium or in vernacular medium schools? Should they avoid convent schools?
342)
Is lying sinful? How can we give it up?
341)
How can we decide that our seeing Krishna’s hand in daily events is proper or is just imagination?
340)
How can daily diary writing be used as a tool for spiritual growth?
339)
I want to write articles as a service to Krishna. But I am unable to get time. How should I go ahead?
338)
My obsessive thoughts dont allow me to chant and if I force myself to chant i feel haterful towards the Lord. Please advice.
337)
Does watching TV and reading newspapers comprise breaking the regulative principles?
336)
Should we hate our body because it obstructs and distracts us in devotional service?
335)
When we face problems in our spiritual life, is chanting extra rounds the way to solve all those problems?
334)
How can we deal with materialistic people while practicing Krishna consciousness?
June 2013
333)
When we meet people distributing Mayavadi literature should we challenge them philosophically or just recommend Prabhupadas books and leave?
332)
How we can train our mind to have faith in ourselves?
331)
Why do ISKCON devotees sometimes say that they are Hindus and sometimes deny it?
330)
How can we develop our determination?
329)
Why do we use a bead bag for keeping our chanting beads?
328)
Is serving deities at our place in nuclear families by ladies during 4 days of menstruation allowed in ISKCON?
327)
Is ISKCON an American institute run by Americans who take donations given by Indians to America?
326)
Can we speak strongly in informal meetings with nondevotees so as to prevent discussions from going in provocative directions?
325)
When we have emotional expectations from devotees and are disappointed can we seek emotional nourishment from Krishna alone and not strive for deep relationships with devotees
324)
Should we avoid services like writing because we will become proud by doing those services?
323)
How can we maintain a positive attitude in devotional life when we face reversals?
322)
Is it practical to live in the mode of goodness in our fast-paced culture?
321)
How can we avoid blurting out and learn to think before speaking?
320)
How can devotees choose a career that is compatible with our devotional life?
319)
If we need some material skills for serving Krishna can we pray for those skills?
318)
If bhakti is perfect then why does it contain restrictions?
317)
How can we increase our taste for reading Prabhupada’s books?
316)
What exactly is humility? How can we cultivate humlity apart from chanting and praying for it? How can we avoid becoming proud of our humility?
315)
How can we use the holy name meditations for improving our chanting?
314)
When some devotees use harsh words to condemn other spiritual paths, I feel uncomfortable but i dont want to offend those devotees. What should I do ?
313)
How can we please the spiritual master, as Prabhupada repeatedly states in his books? Does this refer to diksha guru or shiksha guru? What to do when we don’t have much association with the spiritual master?
312)
What does it mean that we should have implicit faith in the spiritual master, as Prabhupada says in his books
311)
If science is wrong why do devotee go to a hospital when they fall sick and not to a temple?
310)
Is Prabhupada’s appearance and activities predicted in scriptures? If so please tell them
309)
Is chanting a service to Krishna or our expression of love to Krishna?
308)
The mind says spiritual life is good when we are in devotee association but it says material life is good when we are in nondevotee association. How can we know when the mind is cheating us?
307)
Modern medicine contains alcohol and meat extracts. Does taking such medicines cause sinful karma. What to do when there is no option?
306)
How can we not lose faith in Krishna when we are faced with lots of suffering?
305)
Is chanting the holy name and reading scriptures without preaching enough to take us back to godhead?
304)
I feel that without association I can continue bhakti. Please explain why association is essential.
303)
It is impossible to not see women with an enjoying mentality. Please guide.
302)
How can we avoid lust?
301)
Normal temples have deities of Krishna and other demigods should prasadam offered in such temple be taken or not?
300)
If somehow it is known before birth that the child in womb is crippled can it be aborted?
299)
If a person is born mad and to abuse god is his habit then how he can be elevated to KC?
298)
To become Krishna conscious do we need to change our complete behaviour or do we just need to learn respect and love for Vaishnavas?
297)
Is there any quick way to control the mind?
296)
When we become devotees should we not read newspaper or magazines and read only spiritual books? So how will we improve our general knowledge?
May 2013
295)
Why do our anarthas increase when we start practicing bhakti? How can we avoid becoming discouraged??
294)
How can we make our chanting purer and better?
293)
How can we avoid prajalpa and still maintain relationship with devotees with whom we have indulged in prajalpa in the past?
292)
We often become discouraged when our plans in devotional service dont work. How can we make plans that work?
291)
How can bhakti help me when my grandfather is suffering terribly with a terminal disease?
290)
Is ISKCON present eternally in the spirtual world? Can we see Srila Prabhupada there?
April 2013
289)
When obstacles distract us from KC instead of deepening our KC what should we do?
288)
Can I chant less and do other forms of devotional service that inspire me more?
287)
As spiritual attachment leads to material detachment how can we stay balanced?
286)
How should we deal with phases of inner emptiness in our spiritual life?
285)
Difference between glorification and flattery (Hindi)
284)
Is it necessary to pray in an orderly way or can we chant anywhere?
283)
Is body necessary for the progresss of the soul?
282)
Why is ISKCON no longer challenging atheists as Hamsaduta Swami did in Lanka?
281)
Can my parents be my spiritual master if they are not devotees and are not in guru parampara
280)
What should be the highest priority in ISKCON when some devotees emphasize specific aspects like varnashrama?
March 2013
279)
How do i get ideas for writing articles and specifically articles for BTG?
278)
If one wants to become a brahmachari how can one develop the courage to give up everything and fear of failure?
277)
What do we do when we go through a no nectar zone in our devotional service?
276)
What does it mean to transcend problems by Krishna consciousness?
275)
Isn’t the boiling the milk concept contradicting to ‘jare dekho tahe kaho krishna updesh’?
274)
When we see senior devotees affected by modes of passion (eg. too much fondness for foods like pizza) or ignorance (eg sleeping during chanting and hearing) how should we respond?
273)
Are the different sangas of devotees within the same city recommended by Srila Prabhupada?
272)
How can I overcome anger and study calmly college subjects that blaspheme dharma?
271)
Is ISKCON meant for only educated people like IITians and IIMians?
270)
When Krishna consciousness is supposed to be joyful, why does it seem so joyless?
269)
How can we improve our concentration during meditation?
February 2013
268)
Does the mind wander more while chanting Hare Krishna as compared to other mantras?
267)
How can we be affectionate without being attached?
266)
What does it mean to choose material things based on their utility?
265)
When a relative becomes hostile to a devotee, is that due to the devotee’s past karma, that person’s misuse of free will or Krishna’s arrangement?
264)
Can we experience real love through relationships in this world?
263)
When a relative is materially abusive how should a devotee respond?
262)
Why do we misidentify with the mind?
261)
When a relative becomes hostile to our devotional practices how should we respond?
260)
How can we regulate material desires that are not sinful?
January 2013
259)
As students of science and as sadhakas how should we implement the understanding of realist and instrumentalist approaches to science?
258)
When we see that senior devotees have factual flaws, how should we respond?
257)
Why does mantra meditation seem to be a burden?
256)
Can devotees use products containing Tulasi for medicinal purposes?
255)
Why do I need a personal Guru, if all the knowledge is available and all doubts get resolved on websites like Vedabase or your website, thespiritualscientist.com?
254)
What is the position of grihasthas in ISKCON? Should brahmacharis criticize them?
253)
How do we respond if someone says I am satisfied in my material life and am not spiritually ambitious?
252)
Does one have to come to goodness in terms of one’s activities before one can become transcendental?
251)
Do Prabhupada books contain only preliminary points of Gaudiya philosophy, not its advanced tenets?
December 2012
250)
How can we succeed in leading a principle-centered life?
249)
When we hear rumours about a senior devotee, how should we respond?
248)
How can we avoid unwanted and offensive thoughts?
247)
How can we control the mind when it pushes us towards harmful actions?
246)
How can we be confident, assertive, positive without becoming proud?
245)
Are farm communities meant to offer eco-friendly alternatives for the unsustainable modern civilization?
244)
What did Prabhupada mean when he said that 50% of his mission was still remaining?
243)
If the process of KC delivers us then how do we understand the verse that the guru is the only way to Krishna’s mercy?
242)
When circumstances make our chosen standards unsustainable, what should we do?
241)
How can we break the habit of believing that we wont be able to keep our promises?
240)
Feeling our feelings
239)
What are the practical steps for maintaining and improving our relationships with devotees?
238)
Is fault finding good or bad? If its bad then how can we overcome it?
November 2012
237)
If material happiness is like tickling then what about the happiness from humour?
236)
Can devotees sell products made by killing flowers?
235)
Is chanting on electronic counter equal to chanting on Tulsi beads?
234)
How can I overcome the fear that the future may bring unexpected problems in my spiriutal life?
233)
Why do ISKCON Leaders share platform with impersonalists ?
232)
Do we need the faith that the spiritual master will never fall to be able to surrender to him?
231)
How can I deal with uncertainties about the guru system in ISKCON?
230)
What is the scriptural basis for the idea that the proces of KC and not the guru transforms us?
229)
Should we resist the mind or wait for it to calm down? What is the right way to control the mind?
228)
What is the scriptural basis and the practical method for the idea of observing our thoughts?
227)
Can we ever say that our attachments are holding us when actually we are always responsible?
226)
When material circumstances make it difficult or impossible for us to render devotional service what should we do?
225)
How should we respond when Deities break?
224)
Is faith in Krishna a matter of human choice or divine grace?
223)
Please share some tips for memorizing verses
222)
Reflections on the first anniversary of Gita-daily
October 2012
221)
When I study scriptures I am unable to concentrate. What should I do?
220)
What is the best way to make notes in classes?
219)
If we feel dissatisfied while rendering a service how should we deal with it?
218)
Should we use attraction to the beauty of the opposite sex as an impetus to remind us of the beauty of Krishna?
217)
Overcoming obstacles at the level of mind, intelligence and faith
216)
Practicing bhakti yoga in grihastha ashrama
215)
Prajalpa II (with HG Radheshyam P)
214)
Prajalpa I (with HG Radheshyam P)
213)
How can we know when we have done our best in devotional service?
212)
Why does devotion need to be exhibited publically?
211)
Rising from material enjoyment to spiritual fulfillment with QA – Bhag 7.9.25
210)
What are the symptoms of spiritual advancement?
209)
Prabhupada’s expert presentation of Gaudiya Vaishnavism
208)
Isnt it offensive to assume that devotees critical of Mayavada are motivated by ego and to not associate with them?
207)
How can we balance between varnashrama and Vaishnava principles in daily life?
206)
How can one maintain a devotional attitude while cultivating a lot of knowledge?
205)
Do we need to hate Advaitavada to practice bhakti?
204)
How Krishna arranged for Prabhupada to dance (Hindi)
203)
When we are unable to express our questions should we just wait for purification to remove that doubt?
202)
No exception to the rule: “To every rule there is an exception”
201)
Why do the local devotees in Vrindavan refer to Srila Prabhupada as “Swami Maharaja”?
200)
How should we respond to stories of Krishna miraculously intervening in the life of some contemporary devotee?
199)
Should we use sugar made with bone ash?
September 2012
198)
Writing for Krishna: The Price and the Prize
197)
When senior devotees speak and act in ways that are uninspiring or disturbing how should we see and respond?
196)
How should we (Krishna Conscious persons) react if we get terribly cheated by someone?
195)
Why do so few people becomes devotees? Why do some devotees fall away?
194)
Why do we worship Srila Prabhupada?
193)
If a person stays in coma with expensive instrumental support for many days, how long should the relatives continue the support?
192)
Why is Ganesh worship being done in an ISKCON temple when it was not allowed by Srila Prabhupada?
191)
Why do you use the lower case pronoun for God – ‘he’ instead of ‘He’? Isn’t it disrespectful?
190)
The W.R.I.T.E. service: Five reasons to write in devotional service
189)
When Srila Prabhupada has written so many books why do devotees need to write any further books?
188)
How can we avoid labelling situations when say we go broke and still stay fixed in remembrance of Krishna?
187)
Should we bow down if we pass by demigod temple while on the way to Krishna temple?
186)
Is chanting with beads or in holy places more beneficial than chanting without beads or elsewhere?
185)
Why does our consciousness change suddenly from devotional to sensual?
August 2012
184)
Why is Tukaram Maharaj especially glorified among various Maharashtrian saints in ISKCON?
183)
Why cant we have the morning program at 6 am so that more people can participate?
182)
Why do ISKCON Temples have Ganesh at entrance and not have bell?
181)
The Expert Tightrope Dancer – 2012 Vyasapuja Offering to Srila Prabhupada
180)
Dovetailing our propensities in Krishna’s service – SB 1.5.32
179)
Utilizing fame in Krishna_s service_SB 1_12_5
178)
When all killing brings karmic reactions how can we do pest control?
177)
Relishing the glories of the Holy Name
176)
Is Debating wrong?
175)
What are the things we need to be attached to and detached from during the initial and advanced stages of spriitual life?
174)
If Dhruva Maharaj attained the Lord in 6 months can we go back to godhead in six years?
173)
From knowledge to realization
172)
Art of Becoming Happy – Seminar given at Tech Mahindra
171)
Preaching with emotional sensitivity
170)
Get_Beget_Forget_Regret 08-08-30 _SB 2_1_3
169)
BHISHMA acronym: Parallels between Bhishman and Srila Prabhupada
168)
KAILASH acronym – 7 insights from the Kailash story
167)
How can we say no to the mind when its force seems irresistible?
166)
Why do senses go wild in worldly atmosphere after they have been peaceful in devotional atmosphere?
165)
How to study scriptures – Purposes, Principles and Practices
164)
What is more important: japa or kirtan?
163)
Why do we have a propensity towards evil instead of good?
July 2012
162)
If one is unable to follow a regulative principle after many years of chanting, should one give up chanting due to guilt and shame?
161)
ENERGY: Your sutra for positive thinking
160)
How can we access Lord Chaitanya’s mercy in this age when the standards are high and the culture is hostile?
159)
How can we get the determination to wake up in the morning?
158)
Can a person live without lust?
157)
Can devotees read books like “7 habits of highly successful people” to learn to better organize their lives so that they can serve Krishna better?
156)
When atheists read theistic books, why don’t devotees read atheistic books in addition to theistic books? Shouldn’t one understand both points of view?
155)
When the mahamantra takes us to Goloka, then why does Srila Prabhupada say that his temples are in Vaikuntha?
154)
Can the higher taste through chanting be experienced even on a neophyte stage?
153)
Is causeless mercy dependent on anything? If yes, then how is it causeless? If not, then how do we get it?
152)
How can we prevent the doubt that one’s spiritual master can fall down from becoming an obstacle in keeping firm faith?
151)
How can we observe the death anniversary of a loved one in a devotional way?
150)
If a person despite trying sincerely is still struggling because of past conditionings and he wants to be honest with guru, what should he do?
149)
The changing of names during initiation is commonly presented as evidence that ISKCON brainwashes people. Can you please respond?
148)
Why should the mind cooperate with bhakti when that will lead to its own annihilation?
147)
What will happen if one is following Krishna consiousness only on logic and no devotion?
146)
Role of Jnana in Bhakti
145)
Love is the Ultimate Reality – Prerana Class at Radha Gopinath Temple
144)
Was there any editing of Prabhupada’s books?
143)
Does too much seriousness in spiritual life makes one irresponsible and unambitious
142)
The Power of Habits
141)
Where exactly is faith located: in the soul or in the mind?
140)
Will most devotees go to heavenly planets?
139)
Why should milk and ghees be used for the Deities when poor children are starving?
138)
What is the difference between the mind and the brain?
June 2012
137)
What is the significance of abhisheka and aarti?
136)
What does the soul experience at the time of death?
135)
I found blasphemy of ISKCON leaders online. How should I respond?
134)
If two devotees are not speaking to each other, what should be my consciousness?
133)
Can a person be self realized and not have pure bhakti?
132)
Should we suppress or express our emotions of sorrow when our fellow-devotees pass away in sudden tragedies?
131)
How can we give up hating a person?
130)
When Kali-yuga is going to end only after 4,27,000 years, why do some devotees quote mundane prophecies about imminent world destruction?
129)
How does the soul experience the pains and pleasures of the body?
128)
Is a devotee-householder who earns a living and contributes a part to Krishna’s service practicing karma-yoga or bhakti-yoga?
127)
How can we overcome discouragement due to constant mental lethargy?
May 2012
126)
The Romance and the Resistance in Fasting
125)
How can one strengthen his will power and increase his determination? And how to avoid further weakning of the both?
124)
What is the essence of pure bhakti?
123)
What do the concepts of purity and taste mean practically?
122)
What should a wife do when her husband totally opposes her Krishna consciousness?
121)
Why is ISKCON not active in socio-spiritual causes like cow protection?
120)
Should we postpone the chanting of the mahamantra till we are able to follow the regulative principles so as to avoid offenses?
119)
Where exactly is sex desire located: in the body or the soul?
118)
Is there a need to build spirituality among youths and how can it be done ?
117)
How are we to see Krishna’s hand amidst tragic, premature death of devotees?
116)
What was the crime of the children who were abused in ISKCON’s gurukulas?
115)
Does bhakti create feelings of inferiority within us?
114)
How can we avoid rash impulsive behavior?
113)
Why do certain temples have architecture depicting sex?
112)
How can we understand that we are different from our mind?
April 2012
111)
As a practicing devotee, which is the medication method recommended, (since ayurvedic treatment is not suitable for emergencies)?
110)
If Srila Prabhupada is an empowered acharya, then why did many of his empowered disciples leave Krishna consciousness after his departure?
109)
Isn’t good or bad a state of mind? Why then are the regulative principles necessary?
108)
Is there any way we can perceive the nature of the soul?
107)
What should a devotee do when material desires start increasing and chanting doesn’t help?
106)
Is it wrong to hear and read about God from multiple sources, like disciples of Srila Prabhupada?
105)
What is the difference between the mind, intelligence, consciousness and the soul?
104)
What exactly are dreams?
103)
How do people who eat onion-garlic still seem to be in goodness?
102)
Srila Prabhupada’s visionary propagation of India’s spiritual culture: The Power of One Spiritual Indian
101)
How can we help people understand why Srila Prabhupada used words like “rascals” and “fools”?
100)
Srila Prabhupada’s Contributions to Society
99)
How to avoid worldly distractions in concentrating on Krishna?
98)
If the soul is changeless, then how does it change from its svarupa to a seed form?
97)
How can we become free from irritability?
96)
What could be the reason for the feeling that someone is pressing and pulling me at night?
95)
Isn’t it more peaceful to appease temptation than to battle it?
94)
How to overcome base passions like anger, hate, fear etc?
93)
What exactly are ghosts? How can we protect ourselves from them?
92)
Is bhakti innate or is it given by the guru?
91)
Which is the best yoga system to attain moksha?
90)
When japa is individual meditation, why should one chant in the association of Devotees
March 2012
89)
Why should a devotee study when it is only materialistic and is called dogism by Srila Prabhupada?
88)
Is sannyasa forbidden in Kali-yuga? If so, then why does ISKCON give sannyasa?
87)
How can one control envy?
86)
Should one come up to the level of chanting 16 rounds gradually so that we can sustain it or as quickly as possible?
85)
Isn’t it easier and safer to experience material enjoyment and then renounce it?
84)
How can we increase our mental energy?
83)
What is the reason for constantly falling down in spiritual life?
82)
Do material desires age with age? If one finds it difficult to control material desires, is it advisable to put off the inner fight till one grows older when it will be easier?
81)
Doesn’t the institutionalization of spirituality kill its spirit?
80)
How to deal with aggressive atheists
79)
Why does ISKCON give less emphasis on Lord Rama?
78)
Are desires the cause of the modes or the modes the cause of desires?
77)
How to deal with a blasphemous colleague?
February 2012
76)
How do people get insights during dreams?
75)
How can we avoid getting distracted by temptations?
74)
When Krishna says that we shouldn’t take his name in front of an atheist, why does ISKCON share the holy name publically?
73)
How to overcome spiritual boredom?
72)
Unless we find fault how can we differentiate between saint from a swindler?
71)
If intelligence is higher than the mind, then why does intelligence come from passion and mind from goodness?
70)
Should we use the words “fools and rascals” just as Srila Prabhupada did?
69)
How can we understand that some of Prabhupada’s prophecies didn’t come true?
68)
What are the causes of anger – how to deal with them – Hindi?
67)
Does becoming tolerant mean letting oneself be manipulated?
66)
Can I chant the ‘om namo bhagavate vasudevaya’ mantra?
65)
Lets Stop Daydreaming
64)
Make Your Family Divine
63)
If somebody asks questions arrogantly, how should we respond?
62)
Why is the desire for sex stronger than the desire for any other sense gratification?
61)
How to control our jealousy and ego?
60)
Is repressing the sexual instinct harmful?
59)
Can i pursue my material ambitions and still make spiritual advancement?
58)
Why was ashtanga yoga recommended in Satya-yuga?
January 2012
57)
How can sex desire be controlled?
56)
Why does the mind seem stronger than the soul?
55)
D – Anger
54)
Too Busy to be Happy?
53)
The Spiritual IIT Chance
52)
Are You A Positive Thinker?
51)
The power of Humility and Tolerance
50)
Is personal association of devotees essential?
49)
Isn’t doing our duties better than spending hours chanting?
48)
Suicide – Why? What to do?
47)
The secret of fearlessness
46)
How can we increase pure affection to Krishna in the age of Kali?
45)
How can we be Krishna conscious while doing our daily activities?
44)
Isn’t belief in an invisible soul on the same level as belief in any absurd claim like payment with invisible money?
43)
What’s wrong with sex?
42)
When Krishna says that we shouldn’t chant his names in front of an atheist, why do devotees do so openly?
41)
Why do we need to control our senses when Krishna cannot be reached by the senses?
40)
What’s wrong with satisfying the sexual urge by artificial means?
39)
What’s wrong with consensual sex?
38)
Doesn’t the requirement for submissiveness lead to blind acceptance?
37)
Is the size of the soul literal or metaphorical?
36)
Shouldn’t we be practical and focus on our present life instead of worrying about future lives?
35)
What is the difference between mind, heart and soul?
34)
What is the difference between mind and consciousness?
December 2011
33)
Smiling Faces, Crying Hearts
32)
Are ISKCON’s translations of the Vedic scriptures devotionally biased?
31)
Sexuality and Spirituality
30)
Spirituality – The Foundation of Morality
29)
As we don’t remember our past lives, how do we learn anything from them?
October 2011
28)
Is the mind a being or a thing or a nothing?
27)
Doesn’t devotion make one weak and effeminate?
26)
What is the difference between lust and love?
25)
Isn’t Spirituality Impractical?
24)
Isn’t the claim that the soul is the source of energy in the body disproved by the bodily need of food?
23)
Is there any proof of reincarnation?
22)
Is there any scientific proof for the soul’s existence?
21)
Why is spiritual happiness considered superior to material happiness?
August 2011
20)
Why believe in spiritual promises about future happiness?
19)
Why can’t we remember our past lives?
18)
Does the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra do any practical good for the world?
17)
Are the words dharma and religion synonyms?
16)
Isn’t chanting an act of blind faith?
15)
Doesn’t spirituality demand blind faith?
14)
What is the Vedic perspective on the current agitation against corruption?
13)
Isn’t spirituality an escapeway for those who can’t take life’s sufferings?
12)
How does the knowledge of reincarnation benefit us practically?
July 2011
11)
What’s wrong with sex?
10)
If God is good, then why does he allow suffering?
9)
Why do people feel peaceful while meditating?
June 2011
8)
Is there any practical use of knowing about the soul?
March 2011
7)
Doesn’t population growth disprove reincarnation?
February 2011
6)
Do animals have souls?
November 2010
5)
Isn’t repeating the same mantra boring?
4)
Why can’t all of us experience spiritual bliss?
August 2010
3)
Isn’t spiritual life an attempt to escape from reality?
2)
Can spirituality help us when we are sick?
July 2010
1)
What is the relationship between yoga and bhakti?