Focusing on the gifts Krishna Has Given You As devotees we are trained to be humble; so focusing on what’s wrong with ourselves is common. However, by focusing too much on what’s wrong with us, we may lose our self-esteem, end up disliking or even hating ourselves, or develop other “negative self-attitudes.” This could also […]
Krishna’s Love Affirmations Krishna values a relationship with me. I am valuable to Krishna. As a father has natural love, affection and compassion for his children, Krishna has love, affection and compassion for me. Just like a father, Krishna provides me with all the necessities of life. Just like a friend, Krishna is always with me […]
Illuminations Newsletter 61 Unity is the balancing of opposites As you probably know, I often write about issues related to the mind, emotions, and our conventional nature, and touch on issues that are relevant to many devotees. In this issue of Insight, I will touch on one such issue: “The opposing forces within us.” We have ideals […]
Imagine that God appeared before you and offered you whatever you desire. What would you ask and why? How does what you asked reflect your ministry? How does what you asked reflect your faith? How does what you asked for reflect your fear or other negative emotions?
Illuminations Newsletter 47 In this audio issue of Illuminations, I talk with counselor Arcana Siddhi about self-forgiveness. Those of us on the spiritual path have high ideals, ideals which we often don’t meet. And especially for those who tend to be perfectionists, this can result in a lot of self-hatred, guilt, and shame. We fall […]
Illuminations Newsletter 50 In this issue of the audio newsletter, we elaborate on how the mind can be a friend or enemy and suggest ways in which we can empower the mind to work for us rather than against us. Below I outline some of the main points from the audio. May you always think […]
Illumination Newsletter 53 The following is a summary of the issues raised in the discussion on spiritual self-confidence contained in this audio newsletter. This is an important topic and I think you will find this discussion not only instructive but also inspiring. I wish you always think of Krishna, Mahatma das. A seeming paradox: self-confidence […]
Illuminations Newsletter 56 Below is a summary of this issue of the Bulletin. Often, when discussing attempts to control our mind, we pay attention only to the effect – thoughts, and not to their cause. Thus, the thoughts that we are trying to control come to our mind again and again. Therefore, a deeper study […]
Illuminations Newsletter 64 Devotees usually feel unqualified or unworthy to serve guru and Krishna. This is useful when it is a natural sign of spiritual development. But it can also be harmful if, due to an unhealthy psyche, we either feel unworthy of receiving Krishna’s mercy or feel unworthy of Krishna’s love. The spiritual sense […]
Illuminations Newsletter 72 The other day I came across something on the internet about self-compassion. Knowing this to be an important and relevant topic for us, I decided to write an article on it. I hope this helps you or at least gives you enough insight into the nature of self-compassion so you can help […]
Illuminations Newsletter 77 As a family therapist, I counsel people both within and outside the Hare Krishna movement. I recently received an e-mail from a young woman devotee who was unhappy in her relationship with her abusive husband but was conflicted about leaving him. “Maybe it’s good that I feel bad about myself,” she wrote, […]
Illuminations Newsletter 83 How to separate personality from humility? Can a strong person be humble? I see two distinct aspects of humility: dependence on Krsna and acknowledging one’s faults. A strong personality may be better at the former and have more trouble with the latter. But there are healthy and unhealthy ways of being strong. […]
A devotee expressed concern that my article titled ‘Self-Compassion’ posted on Dandavats might not be in line with our teachings. She wanted to know my sources and asked for sastric references in support of my main points. The following reply addresses this devotee’s concerns. The article which you are concerned about started out as a […]
To feel bad that you are not more Krsna conscious is good if the focus is on Krsna. To feel bad that you are not more Krsna conscious is bad if the focus is on how bad you feel (i.e. the focus is on you). The former is transcendental and the latter is in the […]
“Who do you think you are to treat me this way?” I haven’t read that sloka in our books, have you? But this sloka I have read, “Whatever is coming to me is only a fraction of what I deserve.” How come we miss this point and spend useless energy battling others in our mind, […]
Self-discipline is doing what needs to be done whether or not you feel like it. When you don’t feel like doing something and you do it anyway, you move closer to where you want to be. Thus you always feel better. Ironically, we often put off doing something because we believe it will be painful […]
A letter to a devotee battling with a lack of willpower. How you feel is a perfect setup for failure. You are too negative to succeed. The only one who fails is the one who gives up. Sounds like you have lost hope. Never give up. You create your reality. Do you realize you are […]
What about our past? How do we deal with it? What is important is the direction we are facing, not the direction we have come from. However, when we look at our past it can be an impetus to move forward if we feel ashamed for what we have done and remember the pain that […]
Illuminations Newsletter 38 Since Mahaprabhu instructs that we should chant the holy name in a humble state of mind, in this newsletter we discuss humility – specifically how humility is our natural position. I also thought it necessary to look at the relationship between humility and self esteem, as the qualities of the humble soul are […]