Why our ideas of human progress could destroy us. In the modern world, our civilization has a story. It conveys our vision of who we are, the expression of our self-image. There are many versions of the story, but they all have a similar theme of progress. Our stories of progress permeate our culture. The…… Continue reading The Invisible Mythology of our Modern World
Author: Prudence Louise
How to Practice Intellectual Charity
A philosophical principle to help you avoid bigotry and dogmatism. The Principle of Charity is a fancy way of saying we should be open minded and reasonable. It’s a method used in philosophy to avoid bigotry and dogmatism. If we’re mindful of this principle, it helps us assess every viewpoint — including our own —…… Continue reading How to Practice Intellectual Charity
Metaphysics — Mysticism for the Intellect
What is metaphysics and why is it important? When most people hear the word metaphysics they think of mystical things like ghosts, auras, and supernatural beings. It’s a logical way to interpret the meaning of the word. Meta means beyond and physics means physical stuff. We naturally think of immaterial things. But this is almost…… Continue reading Metaphysics — Mysticism for the Intellect
The Mystery of Existence — From the Cosmos to God
The question of why there is something rather than nothing is the most fundamental of all questions. This is not the question of why some particular thing exists, but the mystery of existence itself. When we stop to contemplate existence in the abstract, we find ourselves in an encounter with reality that at every moment…… Continue reading The Mystery of Existence — From the Cosmos to God
Introduction
The Bhagavad Gita contains a concise summary of the vast wisdom of the Vedic literature. Its influence has extended far beyond India, many people around the world have admired its message and progressive ideas. Bhagavad Gita originally appeared as a chapter within the Hindu epic the Mahabharata. The Gita is a conversation between Prince…… Continue reading Introduction
Chapter 18 – The Path to Freedom
The Vedic scriptures describe three types of renunciation. You should not abandon acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity because they purify the heart. But you should perform even these activities without attachment or expectation of a reward. That is my supreme conclusion. You should never renounce the duties prescribed by the scriptures. To abandon routine…… Continue reading Chapter 18 – The Path to Freedom
Chapter 17 – The Three Divisions of Faith
Arjuna said, Krishna, what is the position of those people who perform worship with faith but disregard the scriptural rules and regulations? Are they acting in goodness, passion or ignorance? Lord Krishna said, Faith arises from the modes of material nature acquired by the embodied living beings. Faith can have the quality of goodness, passion…… Continue reading Chapter 17 – The Three Divisions of Faith
Chapter 16 – The Godly and the Ungodly Natures
Lord Krishna said, The qualities of people with a godly nature are fearlessness; purity of heart; development of spiritual knowledge; charity and generosity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity and simplicity; non-violence; honesty; freedom from anger; detachment from the mundane; tranquillity; disinclination to find fault with others; compassion; freedom from greed; freedom…… Continue reading Chapter 16 – The Godly and the Ungodly Natures
Chapter 15 – The Supreme Person
Lord Krishna said, The Vedic scriptures say this material world is like a banyan tree with its roots above and its branches down below. Those who know this tree know the Vedas. The leaves of the tree represent the verses of the Vedic scriptures. The branches represent the living beings, and the twigs represent the…… Continue reading Chapter 15 – The Supreme Person
Chapter 14 – The Three Modes of Material Nature
Lord Krishna said, Now I will describe the supreme wisdom, the highest of all knowledge. The sages who know this achieve the ultimate perfection. By taking shelter of this knowledge, the soul attains the spiritual nature. Having achieved this, one is not born in the material creation nor dies in the material dissolution. All forms…… Continue reading Chapter 14 – The Three Modes of Material Nature
Unity in Difference 