mental-health
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Why External Enjoyments Create Bondage
Most of us seek external enjoyments for a very simple reason. We want to relax, have fun and feel good. After a tiring week, we want good food, entertainment, shopping, social media, travel or other sensory pleasures. There is an expectation that these experiences will refresh us and make us happy. And they often do.… Continue reading
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Who Is the Real You?
Most of us spend our lives believing that we are our thoughts. If the mind is anxious, we say, “I am anxious”. If the mind is happy, we say, “I am happy”. We become so closely identified with our mental activity that we rarely stop to ask a simple question. Who is actually aware of… Continue reading
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The Treasure Within
Most of us spend our lives searching for happiness outside ourselves. We hope that the next achievement, relationship, promotion, or possession will finally give us lasting peace. Sometimes it does, but only for a while. Before long, the mind starts searching again. Adi Shankaracharya explains this beautifully in the Vivekachudamani. He says that the problem… Continue reading
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Fix Low Self-Esteem
Have you noticed how some people constantly seek attention and approval, while others hesitate to share their views because they fear being judged? On the surface, they seem very different. One appears confident and outspoken, while the other appears insecure and withdrawn. Vedanta suggests that both may be struggling with the same underlying problem: low… Continue reading
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Secret to Magnetic Personality
Have you ever met someone who possesses a natural charisma? A magnetic presence that makes people naturally flock to them? You might wonder what their secret is. Swami Vivekananda attributed this extraordinary power of attraction to a single, vital force called Ojas. What is Ojas and Why Does It Matter? In simple terms, Ojas is… Continue reading
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Dealing With Insult
Most of us have experienced it. Someone disagrees with us in a meeting, questions our judgement, or points out a mistake in front of others. Within seconds, the mind becomes disturbed and a wave of embarrassment, anger, or defensiveness appears. What is interesting is that the reaction often feels much bigger than the actual event.… Continue reading
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Why Expectations Hurt
Most disappointments begin with an expectation. We expect people to behave a certain way. We expect life to unfold according to our plans. We expect others to understand us, appreciate us, and respond the way we think they should. When those expectations are not met, we feel hurt. The interesting thing is that the pain… Continue reading
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Why Did Vivekananda Recommend Japa?
One of the biggest challenges people face in meditation is a restless mind. We sit down, close our eyes and immediately discover a flood of thoughts, memories, worries, plans and distractions. The harder we try to stop them, the stronger they seem to become. Swami Vivekananda understood this struggle well. Rather than forcing the mind… Continue reading
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What Does “Going Within” Actually Mean?
“Go within” It is one of the most common pieces of spiritual advice. Yet if you ask people what it actually means, most struggle to explain it clearly. Some imagine it means escaping the world. Others think it means endlessly analyzing their thoughts and emotions. Some assume it means withdrawing from life and becoming less… Continue reading