Essays

If the universe was built so that God could play (the “lila” theory), then why all the pain, sorrow and suffering? The Self isn’t here to play because the Self has no desires or attributes. Also, if God created the universe for play, why did he make our happiness so temporary? Why not make it easy and provide infinite pleasure for everyone?  

Part of Vedanta’s final stage, a stage that includes ongoing meditation on the teachings, is acceptance of the world as it is. It’s easy to read the news headlines and get sucked into the world’s drama.

The truth that Vedanta teaches makes more sense when juxtaposed with how the individual experiences life on a daily basis. Zoomed-in, life on the surface is never what it seems. It’s only when we’re able to zoom out and look at things from a 40,000 foot view that we are able see the truth. Here are some example

In passing conversation about the recent death of a loved one, someone casually says to me they believe they will go to heaven after they...

The disturbing daily events and history of man is nothing but a constant course correction in relationship to the physical, psychological...

All objects have an expiration date. Not in the long-term certainty that eventually they will be discarded, crumble and disintegrate, but...

Most people are sadly unaware of the most basic causes of their suffering. It’s as if they walk through life with a pebble in their shoe. They complain and cry out loud to everyone about their suffering without ever taking notice to the reasons why. 

Our biggest challenge was never putting a man on the moon, it has always been stepping out of our ignorance. They say the truth is eternal and as old as the hills and yet, here we are today, still suffering the same ailments. 

One thing that becomes clear as one actualizes Self-knowledge is that the goal of reaching freedom no longer is just one life objective...

It almost seems trivial that people would complain day in and day out about all the injustices in the world. It’s as if we had a skin...

In passing conversation about the recent death of a loved one, someone casually says to me that they believe they will go to heaven after...

Nobody will want your stuff after you’re gone. No one will want your artwork, your furniture, your tools or any of the things that you...

All of us have certain degrees of power—power that influences others. It’s not magic but it might as well be. When we’re young, we often...

The wise grieve neither for the dead, nor for the living. —Bhagavad Gita, 2:11 We are all born in fear. We sense the vulnerability of a...

The whole reincarnation thing doesn’t make much sense. The Vedas teach that after death the mind is transferred to a new body and a new...

Vedanta tells us that maya uses its dual powers of concealment and projection to put on a grand show that fools everyone. It’s only...

If you have never been to Costco, it can be like going to another planet. I had been to the mega warehouse shopping club before, but it had been a while (maybe two years?) and had forgotten how it felt. I was originally just supposed to wait for my wife in the car while she picked up a few things, but as soon as we parked I felt like exploring and decided to go in. 

There is something in you that has witnessed your life since you were born. This something never changes, is never born, and never dies. It’s a light that illuminates the world and your every thought. It is the same light that gives life to this body and every body

After watching Ken Burns’ PBS video series about the West, I came to the conclusion that as interesting as U.S. history is with all its different characters and story lines, it and all history can be summed up as the unsuccessful pursuit of object-oriented happiness.