I came across the following statement: "It is not our intellectual ideas that govern our action, but our nature and temperament, — but mati or even manyu, or, as the Greeks would have said, thumos and not nous." 🌄[...]

My mind has immediately linked it to the famous Gayatri Mantra, which we Hindus have been practicing for ages with faith that it will change our lives. However, this statement makes this age-old practice a kind of ineffective exercise. Can you please comment?

It is true that will, ‘dhriti’ and not just ‘mati’, is of greater importance. But it is not either-or. Man needs both. The intellect must be illumined so that it can show the right way. It is like a torch showing us where to go and what to do. But the will must execute it. It is what gives the thrust and the direction to move. Both are needed: illumination of the intellect and strength of the will.

Affectionately,

Alok Da

I saw your recent video, where you gave the example of Champaklal ji, who walked out on listening to the Bhajans of Gods. I myself enjoy devotional music a lot. Do I need to stop listening to it as a part of Yoga? 🕉️🎶😇🙏🏻🌷

March 29, 2026

What was being refered to are the stock and standard Bhajans which hardly fall into the true category. But there are beautiful soul-uplifting bhajans with equally beautiful music that flows from the depths which is even helpful at one stage of sadhana, especially in the preliminary stages. An example of the former type could be, ‘suna hai …

Dada, I watched the Movie Dhurandhar (Part 1 & 2). The struggle of the main character felt like a present-day Arjuna. I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Is there any Spiritual Lesson we can take from it? 🏹😊🙏🏻🎞️🌻🎬

March 29, 2026

From the archetype point of view, the character of the main protagonist (hero) in this film is more like Abhimanyu except that it ends up with a happier fate. Like Abhimanyu, he enters into the enemy ranks from where coming out was near impossible. He is trained but inexperienced, again like Abhimanyu. He is valiant, courageous, puts …

In one of your lectures on “Planned Action and Divine Action,” you mentioned that when we are praised or felicitated, one should neither deny it nor take personal pride in it. 🙁🤷🏼‍♂️🪷✨[…]

March 29, 2026

Yes, if one looks within and finds that one has done what best one could do in a given situation, then one should remain inwardly quiet and see why one gets disturbed by the criticism. It is generally either because one expects some appreciation or praise or at least..

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I came across the following statement: “It is not our intellectual ideas that govern our action, but our nature and temperament, — but mati or even manyu, or, as the Greeks would have said, thumos and not nous.” 🌄[…]

Source: https://incarnateword.in/dict/sans/buddhi-2

My mind has immediately linked it to the famous Gayatri Mantra, which we Hindus have been practicing for ages with faith that it will change our lives. However, this statement makes this age-old practice a kind of ineffective exercise. Can you please comment?

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I saw your recent video, where you gave the example of Champaklal ji, who walked out on listening to the Bhajans of Gods. I myself enjoy devotional music a lot. Do I need to stop listening to it as a part of Yoga? 🕉️🎶😇🙏🏻🌷

Dada, I watched the Movie Dhurandhar (Part 1 & 2). The struggle of the main character felt like a present-day Arjuna. I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Is there any Spiritual Lesson we can take from it? 🏹😊🙏🏻🎞️🌻🎬

In one of your lectures on “Planned Action and Divine Action,” you mentioned that when we are praised or felicitated, one should neither deny it nor take personal pride in it. 🙁🤷🏼‍♂️🪷✨[…]