Author: Chaitanya Charan

Spiritualizing our relationships 3 – Changing our vision of our role in relationships

Spiritualizing our relationships 2 – Changing our vision of others

Spiritualizing our relationships 1 – How the modes turn good intentions into not-so-good actions

Is everything that happens Krishna’s plan?

If thoughts come from the intelligence and feelings from the mind then do thoughts grow into feelings?

In difficult relationships at what point should we stop tolerating?

When the mind gets obsessed with desire, it becomes impossible to control – what to do – Hindi?

Our goals are the results we seek – how can we set goals but be detached from results?

Significance of Holi Bonfire and Color Festival

Gaur Purnima class – How Lord Chaitanya defeated the attacks of Kali and how he empowers us to defeat those attacks

Gaur Purnima class – How Ratha Yatra fulfilled external and internal reasons for Lord Chaitanya’s appearance

In difficult relationships are tolerating mitigating and emigrating to be tried sequentially?

Why do we have a mind at all – wouldn’t we function better without it?

You said if we do whatever we like we end up disliking ourselves – isn’t varnashrama based on working according to our likings?

When pure devotees are beyond the modes where does their nature come from?

How chanting helps us understand ourselves and our mind

What science can tell us about ourselves – and what it can’t

How can we act at the level that we are not our bodies – Hindi?

How the mind distorts our vision of others and disrupts our relationships – Hindi

Gita 17.12 Yajna is like modern technology – can fuel the illusion that we are controllers and enjoyers.mp3

How can we constantly remember that we are different from our mind?

How the mind spoils our relationships – Hindi

Reflections on the last verse spoken by Krishna in the Gita – Hindi

Yoga tells us to become observers of our attachment and aversion – what does bhakti tell?

Gita 17.11 Focus not on expectation from the world focus on contribution from yourself.mp3

“What India can offer to the world” – Ted talk at MMU Ambala

Animal Metaphors for understanding the mind – Hindi

Gita 17.10 Food in ignorance isn’t nourishing satisfying or appealing.mp3

Does being open-minded mean learning from everyone but not following anyone?

Acknowledging our emotions but not acting impulsively on them

Let samskaras takes us beyond our scars

Is the higher taste of bhakti available only for those who practice bhakti exclusively while living in a temple?

Gita 17.09 Food in passion is is sensually stimulating but eventually distressing and disease-inducing.mp3

Is ISKCON’s initial portrayal of the purificatory potency of bhakti unrealistic?

Gita 17.08 Food in goodness provides profusely both nutrition and satisfaction

Gita 17.07 Food sacrifice charity and austerity represent broad patterns of the soul’s interaction with its encasing circles

If a couple can’t have a child how can they serve Krishna?

Everyone’s mind tell them different stories – don’t be judgmental be purposeful

Even when we accept a spiritual purpose spiritual practice remains difficult – what to do?

Gita 17.06 Defying scripture be it for pandering the body or tormenting the body is demonic

Gita 17.05 Our body is not ours to abuse by arbitrary austerity

When fear comes likes a forceful river what to do?

Gita 17.04 Our level of consciousness determines who we feel is worshipable

If we feel Krishna has let us down in the past how can we depend on him?

How can we love others without becoming attached?

Gita 17.03 The relationship between our existence and our faith is causal constitutional and consequential

Gita 17.02 See not just people’s ideological faith – see also their functional faith

How can we differentiate between what to hold on to and what to let go?

Gita 17.01 The Gita universalizes and contextualizes the analytical framework of the three modes

When we feel excessive fear how can we correct the mind’s corrupted software?

Gita 16.24 Knowing scripture is our responsibility and our opportunity

How can we deal with past hurtful memories?

How are humility and honesty different – why are they needed in spirituality?

Gita 16.23 Those who reject scripture suffer both in this life and the next

Gita 16.22 To pursue our self-interest we need to purge out self-defeating desires

If I feel fearful because others keep reminding me of my past mistakes what to do?

Analyzing the relationship between material progress and spiritual progress

Does greater ambition lead to greater fear?

Gita 16.21 The metaphorical usage stresses the reality and gravity of the demoniac forces of lust anger and greed

I am afraid of darkness – what can I do?

Why does Krishna test devotees?

Gita 16.20 Demoniac action and demoniac destination is perpetuated by demoniac disposition

How can we make the right choice a habit instead of an austerity?

Gita 16.19 Devilish delights doom the demonic to deadly destinations

Gita 16.18 When bad situations make us take shelter of our bad side we become bad people

Does maintaining an institute make managers rigid and impersonal?

With what attitude should we go for inter-faith programs – how do they help our mission?

Gita 16.17 Self-complacence and impudence perpetuate ignorance

Gita 16.16 Desires and fears cover our consciousness completely with illusion

If a Muslim wants to study the Gita but can’t accept God’s personal form what to do?

Is God the cause of negativity in humans?

Gita 16.15 The ungodly want to look good not become good

Gita 16.14 Greed makes the covetous murderous

If everything is under karma are terrorists wrongdoers or simply instruments for punishing wrongdoers?

Mind It 3 – Choosing healthy response to problems

Happiness is found not in sensation but in absorption

Gita 16.13 Let the mind’s chariot take us where we want to go not where it wants to go

Gita 16.12 Sensual desires are ropes of enslavement not roads to enjoyment

Why are there many religions – can we believe in more than one religion?

Mind It 2 – How unrealistic expectations hamper our relationships

Mind It 1 – Understanding the modes mind and emotions

Krishna is knowledge object of knowledge and objective of knowledge

Teaching evolution in schools: what science explains and what explains science

How can we avoid becoming discouraged on seeing that the modes are pulling us down?

Gita 16.11 We make our beliefs and our beliefs make us

If I want to come first in my class am I being attached to results?

What is spirituality?

Gita 16.10 Taking shelter of lust amidst problems is like taking shelter of kidnappers when threatened by thieves

If everyone is meant to be spiritual why are so few people attracted to spirituality?

Gita 16.09 The ungodly are born for destructive action unless they do drastic course correction

What happens to a person who commits suicide while remembering Krishna?

How can we seek higher purpose when things are going right not just when things start going wrong?

Gita 16.08 From atheism to hedonism is a natural slide

What causes a midlife crisis – can devotees suffer from it?

Should evolution be taught in schools?

How can devotees learn to be satisfied with whatever services they can do?

Gita 16.07 Observe others actions not to condemn but to help

Gaura Purnima lecture 2016 – Transcription uploaded

Appreciating Nityananda Prabhu’s mercy devotional ambitiousness and humility

Maintaining balance amidst disruptive emotions and situations