Category Reflections

Why do some people wear a semicolon tattoo?

A small punctuation mark has become a powerful symbol of hope, and the decision to keep living. It is the semicolon (;), a familiar mark in written language that has acquired a much deeper meaning when inked onto someone’s skin.…

A marketing lesson from a two-year old

Recently, I wrote my second book, Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatam. It’s a bold attempt to simplify the sacred hymn and make it accessible to everyone. The response was overwhelming. But my biggest marketing lesson came from someone who is not even…

Buddha and Bodhisattva: what is the difference?

The simplest way to understand the difference between a Buddha and a Bodhisattva is this: a Buddha is one who has awakened completely, while a Bodhisattva is one who is dedicated to attaining Buddhahood and helping others along the way.…

Can you be a meditator without practicing meditation?

When we hear the word meditator, we often imagine someone sitting cross-legged with closed eyes, chanting a mantra, or following a spiritual discipline. Jiddu Krishnamurti challenged this image completely. For him, a meditator is not someone who practices meditation. A…

The greatest pilgrimage is the one within

Every full moon, thousands of devotees undertake girivalam around Tiruvannamalai. Across India, countless others travel to famous temples, perform elaborate rituals, and undertake arduous pilgrimages believing these acts will erase their bad karma and ultimately grant moksha. Sacred places have…

The inner surgery that no ritual can replace

Across cultures and religions, places of worship draw millions of devotees every year. Some wait hours to secure the first glimpse of the deity. Others pay for special access, complete countless pradakshinas, or undertake physically demanding rituals with remarkable endurance.…