The New Year inspires new beginnings and brings fresh optimism. The world is the same. You are the same. But you are inspired to make a fresh start. I wish all the readers a very wonderful and happy new year. My gift to you comes as usual in the form of thoughts and words. ...
Read full article

'Tis The Season…… To be charitable To reflect on all you did in 2019 To plan for 2020 ...
Read full article

Bryan Dyson, the ex-CEO of Coca-Cola, delivered a commencement speech at Georgia Tech a while ago. That speech resonates with a lot of people. He said,  "Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit - and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work...
Read full article

"Just do it". Yes, this is the tag line from Nike that resonates with a lot of athletes. The best way to play a sport is not to master the rules and techniques of the sport before getting on the field to play. Instead, it is to master the sport while playing it. If you have watched a bunch of little kids play soccer, baseball or cricket, you will understand what I mean. They don't understand the r...
Read full article

From our very earliest days we are taught to dress properly, wash behind the ears, brush our teeth, and so on. We are taught how to present ourselves before others and how to mind our manners. We learn the importance of feeding our body and protecting it from heat, cold, rain, snow and ice. All this is taught to the child. But no one teaches the child to take care of the mind.  ...
Read full article

Dictionary defines the word ‘Gratitude’ as ‘the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.’ I looked up the word after a conversation with someone who was dealing with a stressful personal situation which was resulting in episodes of anxiety. One of the coping mechanisms the healthcare professional had recommended was ‘practicing gratitude’. This means ta...
Read full article

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Not necessarily in the court of law, but by people. These people are your family – husband, wife, parents, siblings and in-laws. These people are your friends and neighbours. Most of the scuffles that take place in life are due to the verbal exchanges between you and them. You certainly cannot force the other p...
Read full article

I am sure that everyone has had a reason which has made them beam with pride.This can be personal success or recognition, success of a loved one, or even an argument that was rightfully won! ...
Read full article

"Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer a day, except when we are busy – then we need an hour." I came across this beautiful quote recently, and it instantly resonated with me.   ...
Read full article

Deepavali, also called Divali, is coming soon. The festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus and non-Hindus alike, is associated with lighting of lamps, fireworks, gifts, new clothes and delicious sweets. I have fond childhood memories of special sweets made by confectioners at Divali time. These were shaped like horses, elephants and snakes. Made of pure sugar and injected with food coloring, they...
Read full article

You may have heard the phrase "Close your eyes to see" before. It has typically been used to teach people strategies on how to reduce distractions of outer influences and focus on the really important task at hand. Once a person closes their eyes, they start the introspective journey of reflecting on what their values are, what their experiences have been, what feels right to them, and helps them ...
Read full article

The true meaning and the serious implication of the word ‘Guru’ elude those who generally use it to mean ‘expert.’ The eternal Vedas define ‘Guru’ as ‘the one who dispels ignorance and gives knowledge.’ They also specify that the Guru teaches the highest knowledge; the knowledge of God. ...
Read full article

The last couple of years have been tough for a lot of people across the world. High unemployment, bank bailouts, mortgage crisis and stimulus packages have been all over the headlines. While there are several programs and packages that are not within our control and we have to wait for our respective governments and politicians to figure out how to get the economy back on track, there is one...
Read full article

We learn about extraordinary individuals living in the world and draw inspiration from them. We read in the papers about war veterans who have lost one arm or both legs in combat and who not only continue to be grateful for what they have, but also help others overcome difficulties. There are children who are diagnosed with terminal diseases. Rather than complaining about the terrible hand t...
Read full article

Everyone is being afflicted by sorrow and suffering. No one is exempt. Physical discomforts, mental suffering, and sorrows afflicted by Nature and living creatures leave their scars on the individual. Everyone is looking for relief. Everyone needs healing. You can help by using the tools God has given you. ...
Read full article

You may be an adult being told by parents that you will not amount to anything and that you will not be able to survive on your own. You may be a woman being told by your spouse that you will never learn to drive on the highway or handle the banking. You may be a man who has always been told that you cannot cook to save your life. You may be an employee who is being told that you will not be...
Read full article

It is a given that no matter what you do, you are sure to be criticized. Even if you are trying to bring about a positive change in your life, family, work place, organization or country, you will face criticism. You may even be working for the good of humanity, but you will still be criticized. Saintly souls are proof of this. ...
Read full article

To err is human; everyone makes mistakes. A sincere apology from the heart goes a long way in making things right. Saying 'sorry' alone does not fix everything. The word has lost its impact because of overuse and inappropriate use. It has become the norm to rant and rave and be impolite, and say at the end of the tirade, "I am sorry if I sounded rude." This is insincerity masqueradi...
Read full article

It is very surprising to hear people talk about ‘my God,’ ‘your God,’ ‘Hindu God,’ or ‘Christian God.’ Because there are all these alleged Gods, there has to be a greater God and a lesser God. And where there is a greater God, He must defeat the lesser God. This is where problems begin, giving rise to legendary ridiculous statements such as, ‘My God is more powerful than yours.’ ...
Read full article

Your mind is something which keeps generating desires and thoughts. Think of it as a factory which is always in production. It is always busy, thinking and desiring something or the other. An average person thinks 60,000 thoughts per day. The question arises: Do we have control over the thoughts which enter the mind, or are we completely helpless in this regard? Happily, one of the bes...
Read full article

Make a list of your priorities in life. What is the most important to you? Family? Physical health? Career? Relationship with God? Academics? Once you have made a list, rate the priorities. Is it family first, then career? Or is your career above all else? Is your relationship with God the most important thing for you in life? Take a good look at the list. T...
Read full article

When was the last time you truly relaxed and had nothing pressing on your mind? When was the last time you laughed from deep within? How long has it been since you chased your little kids around the house, or played Battleship with them? When last did you spend an hour doing nothing but admire nature? How long has it been since you sat on a swing or went down a slide in the park? When did...
Read full article

The pen is mightier than the sword, but even mightier than the pen is the tongue. The tongue has no bones but has the power to crush many. Words are extremely powerful and can do much damage. God has given us two ears and one mouth; His way of saying that we should listen twice as much as we should speak. Think before opening your mouth, "Am I going to say something useful, or should I...
Read full article

Has this ever happened to you? You were reading a wonderful book, the type you can’t put down until you finish it. So many great ideas were in the book, and you became truly inspired. You thought, “I am going to use this information to improve myself.” But guess what! A few days later, you couldn’t remember anything much from that book. You lost so much beneficial material because you rel...
Read full article

The true meaning and the serious implication of the word ‘Guru’ elude those who generally use it to mean ‘expert.’ The eternal Vedas define ‘Guru’ as ‘the one who dispels ignorance and gives knowledge.’ They also specify that the Guru teaches the highest knowledge; the knowledge of God. ...
Read full article

You are faced with situations at school, work and at home that test your patience, humility, self-control, and in general, your character. Someone snaps at you, or puts false blame on you, or speaks harshly with you. How do you react? Do you snap back or remain calm? Do you feel hurt? Does your blood pressure rise or do you remain normal? The true test of character is the way you...
Read full article

While explaining stress management to an audience, a lecturer raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for...
Read full article

Are you one of those people who think that it’s a crime to relax? Do you feel guilty if you are not running around all the time? Are you of the opinion that you are wasting time unless you are moving around all the waking hours of the day? In order to work at their optimum, body and mind both need to relax. To relax the body, take a 20-minute nap during the day. Make certain that the nap ...
Read full article

His little girl sees in him a knight in shining armor; full of valor and charisma. His little boy looks upon him as being mightier than Superman and Spiderman put together; someone who can move mountains and slay dragons. To his wife he is a good man who takes care of his family, creating a strong role model for his kids and providing a safe and secure environment for them. He is a father...
Read full article

We often hold ourselves back, thinking that we cannot do a certain work. Many women refuse to learn how to drive on the highway, or put gas in the car. Why? Because they feel they cannot do it. They refuse to learn how to change a tire, because it’s the husband’s job. Many men refuse to take the initiative to cook a meal or do the laundry. Why? Because it is the wife’s job. ...
Read full article

When you look at someone who exudes confidence, you may think that he or she was born that way. It is a common misconception that some are born confident, whereas others are not. Confidence is not something like a melodious voice which you either have or do not have. It is an acquired skill. You can work on becoming confident. ...
Read full article

Many people have a terrible time saying 'no' to others. Reason? They may think they are being rude. They may feel guilty. They may not wish to displease others. They may have been conditioned to think that it is wrong to say 'no'. ...
Read full article

Recently my laptop needed repairs and when I went to pick it up I found that I was about six dollars short of the required payment. When I told the repairman that he would have the money by evening time, he got a look of disbelief in his eyes and asked with suspicion, “Promise?” Taken aback, I said, ‘of course.’ Later I sent someone with the money, and the repairman was shocked. He said that no ...
Read full article

Are you feeling that life is a dead end street? Do you have a nagging thought that something has to change? If so, do something about it. Go ahead and change your life. Don't be afraid. As a child you were fearless. When learning how to walk you took a wobbly first step and fell down. You cried, but did not give up. You got up and took another uncertain step only to falter and fall all over again....
Read full article

Sometimes it's easier to give up rather than keep trying to get an 'A' in Math, or fix your marriage, or learn how to ride a bike, or get along with your spouse, or get through to your children. Of course there are times when plain old common sense will tell you that it's time to quit that job, or that project, or that friendship. But for the other times we can all learn from those who did not giv...
Read full article

As children we eat what our parents feed us, but when we become intelligent enough to decide for ourselves, we do well to choose a vegetarian diet over a non-vegetarian one. There are many excellent reasons not to eat meat, some of which are mentioned below....
Read full article

Observing people, we tend to make up our mind about them very quickly. Let us say that you see someone at a party eating before everyone else. Your initial reaction will likely be, “How greedy!” You have no way of knowing that he is severely diabetic and needs to eat at that time. When you see someone talking a lot, resist the temptation to dismiss her as a talkative woman. You have no way of k...
Read full article

We are accustomed to being somewhere else rather than being in the here and now. While eating our meal we watch T.V. Consequently, we don't appreciate what we are eating or realize how much we are eating. While talking on the phone we take the opportunity to check our email, or read the newspaper. Afterwards, we cannot remember the conversation we had for ten minutes. In a meeting, many perfect th...
Read full article

Thousands of people are donating 20 minutes of their time today and making the city of Toronto a cleaner place. Citizens are picking up litter around their workplace, school, park or neighborhood. The campaign is called the ‘twenty minute makeover.’ I think the idea is so good that it should not be restricted to cleaning a city; it should extend to a ‘twenty minute makeover’ for the body and the m...
Read full article

Though we are not all-knowing, yet it’s not very difficult to spot a fake smile, a half-hearted handshake, or a false compliment. Of course we cannot be 100% genuine, but being true to yourself is the right thing to do, and it is the easy thing to do. There is no problem in being yourself, but there is a great deal of effort involved in being something you are not....
Read full article

Words are a very powerful tool. They can inspire or discourage. They can make the listener smile or frown. Words can unite nations or push them to war. You can use words to inspire someone to live or to put an end to his life. So, choose your words carefully....
Read full article

There are two types of people: they who only complain, and they who take action. These two types exist in every work place, group, school, friend circle and organization. The complainer whines loudly, "This place is filthy," while the doer quietly grabs a broom and sweeps the place clean. The complainer says, "Kids today are just hopeless," while the doer volunteers time and services as a youth co...
Read full article

Dear readers, this is a story of faith told by my Guru, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. I am sharing it in hopes that it will move you and inspire greater faith within....
Read full article

Everyone does it. Though you have heard it’s the wrong thing to do, yet I recommend it highly. Go ahead and talk behind people’s back. But…. say only good things about them....
Read full article

To my True Valentine...
Read full article

Valentine's Day is coming up on the 14th. Little children will soon be making cards to give their teachers and fellow students. Greeting card makers are doing brisk business, as are candy stores, florists and jewellery shops. As with every other celebration, religious and secular, Valentines' Day has become extremely shallow and commercial. So, let's make this day truly significant by focusing the...
Read full article

The greatest relationship each one of us has is with God. The essence of each individual is the soul, and all our relationships are only with the Soul of all souls, the Supreme Soul. Worldly relationships are temporary; our spiritual relationship with God is eternal. He was, He is, and He will always be our one and only. ...
Read full article

If you are looking for a perfect exercise, look no further. Just walk. Walking is the best exercise and much more. There is no need for any gadget or equipment. It can be done anywhere by people of all ages. Over the years I have experienced many benefits from the simple act of walking, and have become an ardent devotee....
Read full article

We do not desire only that which is good, or fragrant, or beautiful. Our likes and dislikes and our tastes and distastes are dictated by our attachments. Alcohol smells great to a drinker, but not to a teetotaler. A mother often puts her mouth on her child’s mouth. An onlooker is disgusted. To him the child smells bad, but the child’s mother disagrees completely. Her attachment to the child transf...
Read full article

Scriptures state repeatedly that guidance of a divine teacher is necessary for one who wishes to live a purposeful life and who wishes to know God. Such a teacher is known as the Guru. A Guru possesses theoretical knowledge of all the scriptures and a practical experience of God....
Read full article

The world has known many conquerors famed for their great victories and conquests. Of the many kinds of conquests, none is greater than conquest of the mind. Gaining control of the mind is the biggest accomplishment of a human. All New Year resolutions point to conquest of the mind. The resolution to lose weight and become healthier is in fact a resolution to conquer the mind. The resolution to qu...
Read full article