Speak Inside Out

Life is full of a vast array of positive and negative emotions, it’s just part and parcel of the deal. We can sail through life for years feeling comfortable and happy. Spiritual life and relationships can feel so easy in that mode of living, everyone is your friend with smiles all around.  The real defining factor of our destiny is actually decided by tests in the guise of a supposed injustice; some form of negative experience or some moral dilemma. Through this process, I felt there were 3 key phases that we can learn and develop from... Thesis How we view spiritual life usually goes unchallenged by our judgement in the early stages of our chosen path, we tend to imitate what others are doing or can be easily coerced into adopting a role that others have envisioned for us, through this we develop our initial thesis of what we feel spiritual life is all about. Following the dictations of others can work out well, if there is a relationship based on love, trust an...

Presenting philosophy through classes and seminars in a charismatic way is a great way to provide the initial inspiration for new and aspiring spiritualists. As we progress, it's important that we evolve to become mature spiritual people who know philosophy, how to apply it on a daily basis and how to connect ourselves with others. Let’s become people who others can inquire from, be inspired by and more importantly let’s take care of and establish  deep and meaningful friendships with others based on love and trust , not based on authority and autocracy. People want to be loved not ruled. We cross paths with a lot of great presenters of philosophy, but there must be an evolution from the classroom to play an active role in helping to cultivate other's spiritual desires and support them to grow into committed and mature spiritualists. Being enthused by an inspiring presentation i...

Cricket has probably become the most transformed sport over the past 10-15 years. In depth analysis, advancement in technology; as well as evolution of technique has revolutionised the sport. I want to show you an example of a catch that has started to become more common in the sport. For all of you people with a cricket phobia let me explain a quick rule before you watch the video. When the batsman hits the ball and the fielder catches it without it touching the ground, the batsman is out, but if the batsman hits the ball and it clears the boundary without bouncing he is rewarded with 6 runs. If however, the fielder catches the ball beyond the boundary or he/she is touching the boundary rope while catching the ball, then the batsman is still awarded the maximum score (6). Right, I hope that makes sense, here is the video: This type of catch has become quite common in the modern game and there is one key ingredient which has helped cricketers to master it; periphe...

Did you think this was about marriage? Well sorry to disappoint, but it's not... I used to love the thought of being a travelling monk, no responsibility or accountability to anyone, no arguments, just travel and do what you like. Obviously my idea of it was tinged with a level of escapism. Being in close proximity with the same people in a spiritual community is great but inevitably, over time there are disagreements, quarrels, the rise of envy, pride etc; familiarity usually breeds contempt. It's expected when many conditioned souls who are all trying to purify their hearts come together over a prolonged period of time. Material relationships generally don't suffer many subtle difficulties because the foundations are usually based on gross activities, and any potential conflict of anarthas (lust, envy, pride etc) hide behind the veil of mutual hobbies and habits.  Spiritual relationships are different; yes they are more powerful and rewarding, but to get to...

I did the unthinkable and took a temporary break from Facebook around five weeks back, it was premeditated and I felt it was a good time; the festive period was fast approaching, which for me meant three exciting weeks of giving spiritual literature to friends, family and even strangers on the street; this is something I am trying to do annually with many friends in the lead up to Christmas. When I mention these three weeks to people, I can't help but translate the puzzled look on their faces to visions in their minds of a bunch of fanatical, religious extremists bible bashing (or Bhagavad Gita bashing in this case) through the streets of England. It couldn't be further from the truth, but trying to clear any misconceptions by trying to explain, usually comes across as defensive, so I don't bother and just get on with it. So, what is the connection between this time away from Facebook and distributing spiritual books? I hear you ask... ...

Today was the beginning of an auspicious month called Kartikka, an opportunity for making a pledge to increase our spiritual activities in either quality and quantity, or both.  Over the past few months I have been contemplating what meditations I should adopt leading up to the month of Kartikka.  While wracking my brain a thought came to mind, I reflected that simply being affiliated with a spiritual path for a few years does not infer that I am no longer a beginner and that it’s in taking to spiritual life in the humble mood of a beginner that real purification takes place. In the Purport to Bhagavad Gita 12.9 Srila Prabhupada writes: “This love of God is now in a dormant state in everyone’s heart. And, there, love of God is manifested in different ways, but it is contaminated by material association. Now the heart has to be purified of the material association, and that dormant, natural love for Kṛṣṇa has to be revived. That is the whole process.” ...