BAPS Better Living

Explore the profound influence of mandirs, sacred Hindu places of worship, in revolutionizing lives and communities. These spiritual sanctuaries not only facilitate personal growth but also promote community service, cultivating empathy and selflessness. Discover the transformative power of a visit to a mandir, where acts of kindness and generosity are nurtured, and gain insight into their crucial...

Food is a natural communal and unifying factor in every culture, bringing unknown people together and families closer. Eating results in bonding, sharing, and connecting as some of its beautiful side effects. Listen in on how one family's tenet developed into "what we put into our bodies shapes who we become." OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YO...

No matter how life tilts and turns, something keeps you rooted in who you are and the person you are becoming. Join this engineer on her moment of connection to her personal "quantum locking", as she takes you through a beautiful sensory experience of one of the most significant aspects of her life. Enjoy the journey! Read the full article on: Medium  https://medium.com/bapsbetterliving/...

Unlocking our potential requires constant tuning and adjustment. Harmony - both musical and with others - requires a keen sense of adjustment. But what is the secret formula to developing harmony? Listen to how one musician learned the value of harmony through playing the trombone. Read the full article on: Medium  https://medium.com/bapsbetterliving/adjusting-my-instrument-63586d2b5bfa OTHER PLAT...

What brings you joy, and how can you accumulate more of it? Some people are satisfied by finite, temporary sources of joy, while others look for something more long-lasting. Listen in on how this reflective educator explores varied foundations of joy and stumbles upon her own realizations. OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetter...

This is a new series called Tales of Wisdom. Storytelling is a means to impart knowledge and wisdom. Complicated and difficult-to-understand concepts can be distilled by very simple analogies. Yogiji Maharaj, one of the Gurus of BAPS, was very fond of using stories.  In today's Tale of Wisdom, we jump straight into the truth at the core of Hinduism - the importance of a Guru.  OTHER PLATFORMS...

Taking a pause and dedicating time to relax or unwind is inherently incongruent with sacrificing comforts, adjusting to unexpected outcomes, and prioritizing the sole goal of success. The discrepancy is a limitation for translating "going with the flow" into our daily schema. While these difficulties are ever present in our lives, we can either let the hindrances define our decisions or...

When we attempt to measure our love for others, our parents, family members, and even best friends probably rank highest on our list. But do we love them without barriers, or is there a limit to our love?  Listen to one individual as she explores what true unconditional love is and how it is helping her live a more fulfilled life. OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliv...

“With a composed mind, one should introspect every day: 'What have I come to accomplish in this world and what am I doing?'  (Satsang Diksha, Verse 145) Self-care, or more specifically, spiritual self-care is often overlooked in our busy lives.  But taking time to reflect or introspect is an important part of personal growth as well as a critical component of on one's spiritual jour...

“It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.” — Hans Selye.  Stress does not need to be an enemy. Often, just changing one's perspective can accomplish much in the way of handling an otherwise stressful situation. Listen in to a young woman's insightful reflections about how she learned to embrace stress, not fear it! OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps...

Most presents we receive quench our worldly needs and provide temporary happiness. However, is there a gift that keeps on giving? Listen in as Nidhi Patel, an occupational therapist, shares her discovery of that unexpected gift! --- This series is dedicated to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, whose centennial in 2022 gives  an occasion to celebrate and share the life of a person who will inspire generati...

Almost everyone tries to pursue happiness in life, but most try to achieve this with materialistic objects and experiences that only last for not so long.  Follow the journey of one individual who breaks down his experience in the pursuit of true happiness. ------ This series is dedicated to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, whose centennial in 2022 gives an occasion to celebrate and share the life of a p...

Compassion is the missing element in conflicts happening around the world.  Without it, humanity cannot survive.  This episode explores how Pramukh Swami Maharaj exemplified the epitome of compassion and how we may seek inspiration from his life. ------ This series is dedicated to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, whose centennial in 2022 gives an occasion to celebrate and share the life of a person who w...

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a time filled with fun, food, and festivities, but it is also a time to reflect on our lives and brighten our inner light to shine externally. Listen to the reflection of one individual and how they have been inspired to spread warmth and joy by serving and helping others. OTHER PLATFORM...

Volunteering can take many forms such as helping at the local library, serving meals at a soup kitchen, or simply assisting an elderly person cross the street. However, what is important is the intent behind those efforts.  Is there a secondary motive or expectation behind those actions or is the act of kindness truly one of selfless service to others?  Learn how one individual reflects on how the...

Transitioning to college can be simultaneously exciting and daunting for many young individuals every year.  Like a river that meets the ocean, students are expected to leave behind a more familiar, structured life to embrace new responsibilities, routines, friends, and extracurriculars.  Learn about the struggles one individual faced and how he was able to navigate the transition during his first...

The parenting journey is filled with joys, doubts, excitement, fear, confidence, and confusion. One of the heaviest responsibilities of parenting is instilling values and character into young and impressionable souls. Listen in on one mother's letter to her child as she reflects on her guiding light throughout the wonderful journey of parenthood. ------ This series is dedicated to HH Pramukh...

People have long been searching for ways to add to their physical, emotional, social, or spiritual self-growth. One approach is volunteering. In Hinduism, seva (selfless service) is a critical component of one’s spiritual path. It is a way to serve others without regard for one’s identity or recognition. Listen to how the experience of one such volunteer led to a fulfilling discovery of selfless s...

Forgiveness can be difficult. But a quote from Jonathan Lockwood Huie goes, "Forgive Others Not Because They Deserve Forgiveness But Because You Deserve Peace." History has shown many incidents in which one can forgive in difficult circumstances. This episode provides insight into two examples from the lives of Bhagwan Shri Ram and HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. ------ This series is dedicate...

In the jungle, no two animals are the same. They vary in size, strength, and agility. However, these characteristics do not define the order of the food chain. Instead, it's their Mindset. The mind is a powerful tool, and mastering our mindset is the key to changing our perspective on how we live. Part of this is knowing who we are, understanding our true selves, and being proud of what we be...

How do you build a brick wall? One brick at a time. This analogy provides one of the most important lesson on productivity. Can this concept also apply to the spiritual realm? Find out through this inspiring episode.  ------ This series is dedicated to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, whose centennial in 2022 gives  an occasion to celebrate and share the life of a person who will inspire generations towa...

Caste is an often-misunderstood concept attributed to Hinduism. Learn how a practicing HIndu feels about equality and dignity of all living beings through the personal experiences of Dr. Kashyap Patel, as he faced the contradictions of his own personal experiences and those taught in his middle school many years ago.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE h...

A curveball is something that catches you off guard.  Life is full of twists and turns, and we often face challenging circumstances and situations.  How do we manage in such times? This episode will provide insights to better enable us to deal with the curveballs of life. --- This series is dedicated to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, whose centennial in 2022 gives  an occasion to celebrate and share th...

Just for a moment, pause and think about your mental health and well-being. How are you doing, really? Mental health has long been the elephant in the room, and it requires our time and attention now more than ever. The same steps we would take to revive a wilted sunflower can remind us that our mental health is essential and equally deserving of revival. Learn from two insightful women how to mai...

During our most difficult times, where do we find the strength to persevere?  Meet Niki and Manan, a couple from New Jersey who relied on each other, their family, their friends, their spirituality, their guru, and God during an unimaginably stressful time.  Here is their story. --- OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving MEDIUM https://medium.com/bapsbetterliving OT...