During my formative years in India, I often found that religion was practiced in ritualistic, often illogical ways and surrounded by many superstitions. While generally liberal in their beliefs, my family participated in rituals that were family traditions, believing that questioning such practices would cause some personal calamity. Yet, I continued to internally wrestle with doubts about the validity of this herd mentality and blind belief system, such as how animal sacrifices could be a part of religion or why women were not allowed the same religious rights as men. As I grew up, I observed ..read more

Yoga, a fitness practice popular throughout the world that is commonly associated with physical health and longevity, holds a much deeper significance that transcends physical postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama). My own perception of this ancient discipline was profoundly changed when I started attending weekly sessions at Vedanta USA. Under the guidance of Gautamji, senior disciple of Swami Parthasarathy, I came to understand that the core of Yoga lies not in its physical aspects but in practices that unite us with our true self through the elimination of deep-rooted desires (vas ..read more

As an Indian immigrant working in technology, I’m happily living the proverbial American dream. I have a rewarding job, a warm and supportive family, great friends, and a comfortable home. However, despite this near-perfect life, I felt constantly stressed and agitated in all aspects of my life. I wondered why. This ‘why’ largely remained unanswered.  A turning point arrived with an introduction to Vedanta, revealing the root cause of stress — the untamed mind. Vedanta is the philosophical kernel of the Upanishads, which are ancient Indian scriptural texts. The study of Vedantic texts suc ..read more

For a good part of my life, I was confused about why people react indifferently or adversely, despite the fact that they were treated well. I assumed that as a universal law if you treat someone well, they would treat you well in return or particularly, return the favor when you needed help. Let me illustrate with an incident – A friend who was a struggling entrepreneur was visiting from India; so I offered him my place to stay upon request as well as other assistance during the times he visited. Years later, I was visiting the town where my friend had set up shop, and I rang him up expecting ..read more

Most people remember their teenage years as a time marked by joyful bonding with friends and the rites of passage into independence. However, I entered my teens with an abrupt move to a different city, forced to make new acquaintances, learn a new language, and adapt to a new school along with the various transitions that young people make as they form their identities.  In this new environment, my desire for academic achievement often woke me up automatically at 4 am to prepare for the day. To my surprise, I found that I could easily assimilate new concepts and retain what I had learned ..read more

The mind and intellect together constitute your inner personality which is housed in your physical body. Productivity in any field of activity requires a sharp intellect and a calm mind. When the mind is disturbed with many unfulfilled desires and consequent worries and anxieties, the intellect loses its focus and application to work. The intellect needs to be strengthened to maintain the mind’s focus in the wake of its desires and demands. And the intellect exercising its control over the mind is self-management. No external management would be effective until you are self-managed. Which in e ..read more

The intellect plays a vital role in your business. It serves to fix an ideal beyond your self-centred interest and direct your actions towards achieving it. When you thus conduct your business objectively for a higher cause you develop the initiative within to work. An initiative drives one to work tirelessly with enthusiasm and cheer. Whereas a person with no such ideal in life works with ego and egocentric desires merely to satisfy his selfish interests. Such a person would have no initiative to work. And with a lack of initiative his work turns burdensome. He becomes tired and fatigued. At ..read more

What is this Vedanta philosophy? The word Vedanta is a combination of two words, Two Sanskrit words. ‘Veda’ means wisdom and knowledge, and ‘Anta’ means ultimate, culmination, and the end. So quite literally, Vedanta means the culmination of wisdom, the end of knowledge. The highest knowledge. This video talks about the ancient wisdom of Vedanta and how can it help attain peace, success, and purpose in life ..read more

Conventional wisdom seems to dictate that if we can fulfill our desires, we will be happy. So, from childhood and youth, we are constantly chasing our desires to achieve that illusory peace. We pursue opportunities, put in frenzied action and believe that there is a point when we will be satisfied.  However, in my own experience, I found this to be a false proposition. As a new immigrant to the United States, I had bought into the premise that one should plunge into action, work hard and juggle multiple jobs and roles to make more money and grab that elusive joy. But I found that no matte ..read more

A leader should be well versed in the field of his activity. Possess a thorough knowledge of the subject of his business and an overall intelligence of all departments of his organisation. Which would be essential for him to effectively guide, direct his team. With his position and knowledge a true leader bears a humble countenance. Knowledge always goes with humility. Possessing such traits he would attract the adoration of his colleagues at office. And the members of that organisation naturally develop a team spirit for its success and progress.  Another essential quality of a leader is ..read more