BAPS Better Living

Your personal identity is what makes you unique, and embracing your true self helps build confidence and strengthens your character. But sometimes it can be difficult to maintain when faced with an unfamiliar environment, or even worse, when ridiculed for being yourself. Listen to how one youth faced such a situation with regards to his religion, and how he overcame it. --- OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAG...

"Taka dhimi, taka dhimi" is one of the many dance rhythms, or taals, of Bharatanatyam, the oldest classical dance tradition in India. Expressed as a living form of art, Bharatanatyam has a deep devotional component that pervades the artist beyond just the dance. Mastering this art form can be very demanding, both mentally and physically, and takes years of dedication and discipline, but...

Parents often see themselves as entrusted with the singular responsibility of raising perfect children. Anything less is a mere reflection of the flaws in the parent or a reflection of their inabilities. This mindset often leads to discomfort, anxiety and exhaustion. So how can parents cope with the pressures and paradoxes of parenting? Learn through the insights of a  school principal and parent,...

Selfies have been around since 2010, just as smartphones with cameras began catching fire. The word "selfie", however, wasn’t recognized by the Oxford dictionary until 2013. But the word grew in such prominence in a short period of time, that 2014 was declared "The Year of the Selfie." At the end of the day, selfies are about the "Self". What I look like. Where I am....

In one small gesture, one small mudra, one small asana, one seemingly mundane action, we can give another person (while simultaneously reminding ourselves) a very important message. Discover how the Anjali Mudra can help ourselves and our relationships.  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...

"The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance," said Albert Einstein. Seeming counter-intuitive to many, great leaders are humble. Discover the power of humility through the example of two great leaders of different kinds.  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 in...

It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day life and forget that our actions affect everything around us. How are our actions affecting the Earth? The values of preservation and avoiding waste, caring for plants, animals and other human beings are more essential than ever. Which small lifestyle changes can we make to begin our go green journey? Find out through this insightful talk.   OTHER PLATFORMS...

Stress and anxiety can be all-consuming. These partners in crime can make bad situations worse. They affect our judgment and lead us to see things and think about things in ways that just are not productive.  Rakesh Patel, an attorney by profession, reveals a moment of insight and a 'flash of clarity' that "disentangled [him] from questions, worries, fears and anxieties that had inf...

Surgeons do the same thing everyday in the operating room.  We do the same thing every year when Diwali arrives. In both scenarios there is a focus on the importance of “light”.  What does light really do that makes it so important? Dr Jamin Brahmbhatt, Urologist and Robotic Surgeon, from Orlando, FL shares a unique comparison between the light he adjusts daily in surgery to the internal light wit...

We have heard of 'lunchtime' and 'showtime'. But how about 'Me Time'? Why is it even necessary, and how can it be done? Siddharth Dubal, J.D., a Legal Recruiter, shares his experiences and insights.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/bapsswamin...

The memory of many months of distancing and near solitude due to COVID-19, coupled with returning to  spiritual life at a mandir, can remind us that we often take what we have for granted. Rakesh Patel, an attorney by profession, shares his experiences and insights.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https...

What can the COVID19 teach us about science and faith? Dr. Kashyap Patel, a cardiologist by profession, elaborates on his insights and experiences with returning to normalcy.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/bapsswaminarayansanstha/   

The greatest leaders of history did the same things we do every day. They worked hard; so do we. They made decisions; so do we. They had courage; so do we. They strived to make their dreams come true; so do we. Every day, every individual on this earth makes an effort to fulfill his or her desires. What makes them so special? How can we all become great leaders?  (Part 1 of 2) OTHER PLATFORMS: INS...

Even more important than leading consciously is leading super-consciously. What makes leading super-consciously so important and how can humanity benefit? How can we become bigger than our individual selves? (Part 2 of 2) OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving MEDIUM https://medium.com/bapsbetterliving OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_better...

Ever got angry at a slow driver in a fast lane? Dr. Kashyap Patel, a cardiologist by profession, describes the profound insights he gained from a routine ordeal on a highway.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/bapsswaminarayansanstha/   

Pain is inevitable, but suffering is truly optional. Dr. Kashyap Patel, a cardiologist, narrates how an experience in his own life taught him a powerful lesson on the power of faith.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/bapsswaminarayansanstha/   

Why is it that we love to hear about the faults and challenges of other people, even though we know that the knowledge may not be useful to us? Find out through an enlightening talk on the nature of gossip.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/bapsswaminarayansanstha/   

What do Apollo 13, Dwight Eisenhower, Steve McQueen, five miners trapped in a zinc mine have in common? Find out how the answer to this question can also help us deal with difficult situations in life.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/bapsswaminarayansanstha/   

A Solution: We search far and wide for solutions to our pressures of life, but ultimately they are in vain. The wise make it easy for us. What do they point to?  (Part 2 of 3) OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving MEDIUM https://medium.com/bapsbetterliving OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterl...

An Action: Ancient truths can help prepare one to overcome trying times and uncertainties of life. But how do we make ancient truths relevant today?  (Part 3 of 3) OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving/  MEDIUM https://medium.com/bapsbetterliving OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LI...

An Illusion: What we see is not always what really is. Pursuing illusions leads to many different types of pressures in life.  How do we cope?  Pujya Shukhmuni Swami shares some insights. (Part 1 of 3) OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving/  MEDIUM https://medium.com/bapsbetterliving OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE htt...

Two different perspectives and mindsets. Two different results. The choice is in our own hands. Pujya Gnanpurush Swami elaborates.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/bapsswaminarayansanstha/   

Diwali is the festival of lights. The story of Bhagwan Ram and the victory of good over evil have been celebrated for millennia. But there is another part to the story that can teach us a valuable lesson in daily life. Pujya Chaitanyamurti Swami elaborates on how that lesson can set us free.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbet...

How can we deal with difficult situations in life? Pujya Gnanpurush Swami offers insights through the analogy of a game of cards.  OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/bapsswaminarayansanstha/   

If life is a sculpture, and you are the stone, what are the hammers and chisels we can use to carve our masterpiece? Pujya Chaitanyamurti Swami shares a few tools that are indispensable in shaping our lives. (Part 1 of 2) OTHER PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/baps_betterliving YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/bapsbetterliving   LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/bapsswaminarayansa...