compassion
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The Art of Criticism
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how to carefully choose our words when stating the truth so we don’t hurt the listener. I also emphasized the subtle distinction between having an opinion and speaking the truth. Just because … Read more →
The Path of Truth
Someone asked me the other day, “Should I still tell the truth if it upsets the other person? I’m not doing anything wrong but my partner just doesn’t want to listen to my truth.” I hear variations of this question … Read more →
Samsara
The other day I read the story of Patacara in Anna Prajna Douglas’s words from The Hidden Lamp. As follows (partially paraphrased): Some 2500 years ago, Patacara was born into a rich family in India but eventually ran off to … Read more →
The Narcissist
Someone sent me the following email a few weeks back: I wanted to ask you how to deal with a narcissistic spouse? How to deal with them in a spiritual way? When we call someone a narcissist, why are they like … Read more →
A Story of Grace
The other day, I asked Swami Raghvananda or Raghu Swami as I call him normally (one of the most devoted disciples I’ve ever known, full of life and detachment) if I could share one of his tales on my blog. … Read more →
A Word on Love
So often I meet people who tell me they don’t get along with their partners. “Our views don’t match, our habits, our goals are different, there’s no compatibility,” they say. Often the man is looking for more freedom and personal … Read more →
The 84th Problem
Once upon a time, an affluent farmer approached Buddha with great hope. He prostrated before the sage and sought his blessings. Buddha raised his hand in benediction. “O Venerable One!” the farmer said, “I have a major problem and I … Read more →
The Drama Triangle
Last week, I cited a popular story from Melody Beattie’s Codependent No More. Today, while continuing my thoughts on the subject of relationships, I would like to begin by quoting a passage from the same book. Sometimes, my youngest son, … Read more →
The Seed of Divinity
Legend has it that the king of Kazakhstan sent his royal messenger to the emperor of India, Jalal ud-din Muhammad Akbar, with three profound questions. Akbar’s nava-ratna, nine jewels, were nine people of extraordinary talents. Known for his wit and … Read more →
Your Spiritual Wealth
In the legendary and epic Masanvi of Rumi, there’s a beautiful, albeit a little immodest, tale of a pauper and a miser. On a hot Arabic summer day, a frail and old beggar knocked on a rich man’s door in … Read more →
The Feeling of Emptiness
Emptiness is a real feeling. It’s not a disorder. It’s not just loneliness, sadness, confusion or disconnection but a mix of all these. At some point in time, each one of us experiences a phase of painful emptiness. I came … Read more →
A Word on Surrender
Life is a funny business. The more we think we have it figured out, the more mysterious it gets. Like some fine magician, it makes us marvel at its ability to pull off unimaginable tricks. It so happens though that … Read more →
Love and Hate
I get all sorts of emails. They get filed and marked by a team of volunteers. Approximately 50% of the readers write to seek my opinion on their trials and tribulations of life. A whopping 30% email purely to show … Read more →
The Monkey and the Coconut
The timeless Vedas and many philosophical treatises talk about detachment and equanimity for a peaceful life. Is it practical, doable? On the subject of detachment, I received the following comment yesterday (quoting literatim): We have so many hormones, physical, chemical … Read more →
A Fistful of Love
The mind is easily distracted by new people or objects that come into our lives. In the process, we may unintentionally hurt our loved ones by either letting go of them or trying to change them. But is this what … Read more →
