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Parental Compassion
“I’ve always been a good parent and supported my children at every step,” a somewhat distressed parent said to me a few weeks back. “And yet, they don’t really respect me. They are struggling in their lives and tell me … Read more →
A Spiritual Experience
How do I know if I am on the right path? How do I measure my spiritual progress? And, what is the sign of a true spiritual experience? These are the three most common questions every sincere seeker asks me … Read more →
The Antidote to Fear
We all have fears. The fear of what may happen in the future, of skeletons in the closet, of failing others and ourselves. We fear what would happen if our worst fears came true. Most of our anxiety stems from … 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 →
The Calling of Happiness
There are some things we can change in our lives, some aspects we can influence. But, there are many that we have to get used to. This is the greatest challenge. It’s not easy, to get accustomed to how life … Read more →
An Attitude of Happiness
One of the most challenging things about being a monk is the magnitude of suffering and sadness you get to see in the world. Perhaps it’s similar, if not the same, for doctors, psychologists, therapists and so on. Sometimes, when … Read more →
The Essence of Friendship
One of life’s greatest blessings is to have friends who we can count on and share anything with. With the passage of time, the fabric of most friendships starts to wear thin, but some do keep lifelong friendships. To have … Read more →
The Course of Grief
It is said that when Buddha went back to meet his family after his enlightenment, he was given a stately welcome. His father, the king, treated him like the prince he once had been. The ministers and members of the royal … Read more →
The Price of Freedom
Deep inside, we are free beings. Almost. Even the umbilical cord is snipped at the time of birth to mark our freedom, to sever our ties, to indicate that our primary relationship is with ourselves and not others. Somewhere, even … Read more →
One Life Many Lives
Have you ever had that feeling that you haven’t done anything significant in your life? Or that you haven’t been able to live the life of your dreams? If yes, you are not alone. Generally, we tend to think of … Read more →
The Hall of a Thousand Mirrors
A certain Shaolin temple in China has a unique hall. It’s known as the hall of a thousand mirrors, for its walls and roof are studded with a thousand mirrors. Many monks train there perfecting their moves with extraordinary precision … Read more →
The River of Life
The other day, Ma Shamata Om (my foremost disciple and one of the most graceful and beautiful souls I know) said something profound in her usual simple way. “Swami,” she said, “come to think of it, human life is so … 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 →
