Gita In Action Podcast

What if the deepest part of you has never been damaged by anything you’ve been through?

In this episode of Gita in Action, we finish Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita with verses 13.33–13.35 and explore Krishna’s teachings on the unchanging nature of the soul, consciousness, and what it actually means to become spiritually free.

Using the analogies of the sky and the sun, Krishna helps us understand how the soul can move through changing bodies, circumstances, conditioning, successes, failures, and even painful experiences without losing its spiritual nature. And just as the sun illuminates the wo...

What if being different didn’t have to mean being separate?

In this episode of Gita in Action, we explore Bhagavad Gita 13.31–13.32 and what it means to develop spiritual vision—to honor the very real differences between us without allowing those differences to become division.

Krishna invites us to look beneath bodies, personalities, beliefs, roles, and circumstances to recognize the deeper spiritual reality we share. And as that vision grows, something begins to change: the circle of those we recognize as connected to us gets bigger.

Different doesn’t have to mean separate. Unity do...

In this special episode of Gita in Action, Radha sits down with Kripamaya Prabhu and Krishna Bhava, longtime practitioners and original disciples of Srila Prabhupada, to talk about what more than 50 years of spiritual life has actually taught them.

They share how they found Krishna consciousness as teenagers, what it was like to meet Srila Prabhupada, and how the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita have carried them through marriage, raising children, loss, aging, and the things in life we simply cannot control.

We also get into some of the questions that can come up for Western...

How much of what we call “me” is actually just conditioning?

In Bhagavad-gita 13.30, Krishna explains that material nature is acting—but that doesn’t mean we have no responsibility for our choices. In this conversation, we explore the difference between who we really are and the patterns we’ve practiced, why our conditioning doesn’t have to define us, how this understanding can help us forgive ourselves and others, and why what we choose to feed matters.

Your conditioning may explain where you’re starting from—but it doesn’t have to determine where you’re going.

Anc...

Our minds are constantly telling us stories—about what other people think of us, what something means, what should have happened, and even who we are. And when we believe every story the mind tells us, those thoughts can quickly become resentment, jealousy, fear, attachment, or hopelessness.

In this episode of Gita In Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 13.29 and what it actually means to stop letting the mind run the show. We talk about creating space between ourselves and our thoughts, responding instead of reacting, navigating difficult relationships without becoming consumed by them, and learning to see pain...

We’re constantly forming opinions about people—based on their behavior, personality, appearance, beliefs, mistakes, and even the way they treat us. But what if we’re only seeing a small part of who they actually are? In this episode of Gita In Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 13.28 and Krishna’s invitation to develop a deeper kind of vision: to see beyond the body and mind to the soul within—and to recognize the presence of God accompanying every living being. We talk about what equal vision actually means, why it doesn’t require us to ignore harmful behavior or abandon hea...

You Are More Than What’s Happening to You

It's easy to become completely identified with what we're experiencing—our thoughts, emotions, relationships, bodies, successes, and struggles. But the Bhagavad-gītā offers a much bigger perspective: you are the conscious person experiencing all of those things, but they are not the entirety of who you are.

In this episode of Gita In Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 13.26–13.27 and how spiritual knowledge can help us create a little space between who we are and everything happening around us. We also talk about the power of what we repeate...

Meditation, yoga, studying spiritual wisdom, selfless service—these are all powerful practices. But there’s an important question we don’t always stop to ask:

Is the practice actually changing me?

In this episode of Gita In Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 13.25 and the different paths Krishna gives for spiritual realization. But we also look at what can happen when the ego gets involved—even in spiritual life.

Are we becoming less attached to outcomes? Less controlled by the mind? More humble, loving, and able to serve? Or have we simply found a new identi...

So much of our stress comes from trying to make life cooperate with our plans. We want to know what’s going to happen, how it’s going to happen, and that everything will turn out the way we think it should.

But what if peace doesn’t come from having more control?

In this episode of Gita In Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 13.23–24 and Krishna’s presence within the heart as the overseer, permitter, witness, and friend. We talk about the difference between having free will and actually being in control—and why learning to trust Krish...

What we surround ourselves with doesn’t just influence how we feel in the moment—it gradually shapes what we desire, what we become attached to, and ultimately, who we are becoming.

In this episode of Gita In Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 13.22 and the powerful role association plays in shaping our consciousness. Through the analogy of watering seeds, we look at why spiritual growth isn’t always about fighting every unwanted desire, but becoming more intentional about what we choose to feed.

What are we watching? Who are we spending time with? What are we liste...

Why do we get so attached to how things are supposed to turn out?

In this episode of Gita In Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 13.20–13.21 and the connection between our desire to enjoy, our expectations, and the happiness and distress we experience when life does—or doesn't—go according to plan.

Through everyday examples involving work, relationships, our bodies, and even Netflix, we look at what happens when we become so invested in the “movie” of our lives that our peace starts depending on getting the outcome we want.

This conversation is about learning to...

We’ve all heard the advice: “Trust your gut. Follow your heart.” But what happens when the voices inside us are pulling us in completely different directions?

In this episode of Gita In Action, we explore how the Bhagavad-gītā helps us distinguish between genuine inner guidance and the voice of our own habits, desires, fears, and conditioning.

We also talk about why more information doesn’t always lead to more wisdom, the importance of silence and creating space in our lives, and why spiritual knowledge ultimately isn’t about how much we know—it’s about how deep...

What can addiction teach us about God?

In this powerful conversation, Radha sits down with Nancy Rothman to explore her remarkable journey from alcoholism to a life of recovery, service, and deep spiritual practice.

Nancy shares how the 12-Step recovery program became the foundation for discovering a personal relationship with God and, ultimately, the teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā and bhakti-yoga.

Together, they explore surrender, spiritual awakening, authenticity, forgiveness, and why true recovery is about so much more than overcoming addiction.

Whether you've struggled with addiction yourself, love someone who has, or...

Life is constantly changing. Jobs change. Relationships change. Our bodies change. Even the things we work so hard to build eventually come to an end.

So where do we find something that doesn't?

In this episode of Gita in Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 13.17 and Krishna's invitation to see beyond the constant cycles of creation, maintenance, and destruction. As we learn to let go of the illusion of control and take shelter in the One who never changes, we discover a peace that isn't dependent on our circumstances.

Whether you're walking through a ma...

Have you ever gone through a season where Krishna felt distant?

Maybe your chanting felt dry. Prayer felt difficult. Or you wondered if He was really there.

In Bhagavad-gītā 13.15–16, Krishna reveals something deeply comforting: His presence hasn't changed—our awareness has.

In this episode, we explore:

Are you searching for fulfillment in the right place?

Whether we realize it or not, we're all searching—for truth, purpose, happiness, and lasting satisfaction. The real question isn't whether we're searching, but where we're looking.

In this episode of Gita in Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 13.13 and Krishna's answer to the question: What is there to be known? Together we'll examine three ways people search for meaning—looking outward through science and the material world, inward through introspection and self-discovery, and upward through divine revelation.

Discover why external success and inner exploration, while...

We're taught from a young age how to build a career, earn a living, and create a successful life—but how often are we taught how to truly live?

In this episode of Gita in Action, we continue our study of Bhagavad-gītā Chapter 13 as Krishna reveals a surprising definition of real knowledge.

Together, we explore qualities like even-mindedness, devotion, humility, self-realization, and the philosophical search for truth, discovering why lasting transformation doesn't come from trying harder—it comes from deepening our relationship with Krishna.

Whether you're new to the Bhagavad-gītā or have bee...

What if love and attachment aren't the same thing?

Many of us believe that needing someone is proof of how deeply we love them. But the Bhagavad-gītā offers a different perspective—one that can transform our relationships and bring greater peace.

In this episode of Gita in Action, we continue our study of Chapter 13 by exploring the qualities Krishna describes as true knowledge. We discuss nonviolence, tolerance, truthfulness, and why reflecting on birth, old age, disease, and death isn't pessimistic—it's the beginning of wisdom.

Then we dive into one of the most p...

What does it really mean to be knowledgeable?

Most of us think of knowledge as information—facts, degrees, skills, or expertise. But in Bhagavad-gītā Chapter 13, Krishna offers a completely different definition. Instead of describing knowledge as something we accumulate, He describes it as qualities we cultivate: humility, tolerance, self-control, detachment, devotion, and more.

In this episode of Gita in Action, we explore why real spiritual knowledge is measured not by what we know, but by who we are becoming. We discuss how these qualities are both the process of spiritual growth and the signs that...

What if the person you've spent your whole life trying to improve isn't actually who you are?

In this episode of Gita in Action, we continue our journey through Bhagavad-gītā Chapter 13 as Krishna introduces one of the most transformative teachings in spiritual life: the difference between the field (the body, mind, and material experience) and the knower of the field (the eternal soul).

Together, we explore:

What is life really about?

In this episode of Gita in Action, we continue our study of Bhagavad-gītā Chapter 13, Verse 3, where Krishna expands our understanding of the body, the soul, and the Supreme Soul. Along the way, we explore the five koshas (layers of consciousness) and discover how spiritual growth is a journey—from living for consumption and survival to living from understanding, self-realization, and ultimately, love.

We'll discuss what Krishna means by the "knower of the field," why true knowledge includes understanding both the individual soul and the Supersoul, and how seeing ourselves as c...

What does spiritual life actually look like when you live it for decades?

In this special episode of Gita in Action, I sit down with longtime spiritual practitioners Kalachandji Das and Shradanjali for a heartfelt conversation about faith, family, marriage, and what it means to keep growing spiritually through all the different seasons of life.

We talk about their journey to Krishna consciousness, how they have integrated bhakti with their Lutheran faith, and the simple philosophy that has guided them along the way: “Just add Krishna.”

Together, we explore what it looks like to r...

Everything about us changes.

Our bodies change. Our thoughts change. Our emotions, relationships, priorities, and circumstances change. We can look back at who we were five, ten, or twenty years ago and barely recognize that person.

And yet, somehow, through every version of ourselves, there is still a part of us that has always felt like me.

So what is that part?

In this episode of Gita in Action, we begin Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad-gītā and explore Krishna’s distinction between the field and the knower of the field. The body...

In this episode of Gita in Action, we conclude our study of Gita Chapter 12 by stepping back to see the chapter as a whole.

Krishna answers three of the biggest questions we can ask in spiritual life: Who is God? How do we develop a relationship with Him? And what does genuine spiritual growth actually look like?

Together we explore why bhakti is the most direct path to God, Krishna's compassionate "ladder of devotion" that meets us wherever we are, and how a sincere relationship with Him gradually transforms the heart. Rather than demanding perfection...

In this episode of Gita in Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā Chapter 12, verses 17–20, where Krishna describes the qualities of a devotee who remains peaceful through life's constant ups and downs.

What if the secret to inner peace isn't changing your circumstances, but changing where your heart is anchored?

Together we discuss why our definitions of "good" and "bad" are often incomplete, how to stop letting praise, criticism, success, and disappointment determine our happiness, and why the question, "How can I serve Krishna through this?" can transform even life's greatest challenges into opportunities for spiritual growth.

Why do other people's words, actions, and opinions have so much power over our inner peace?

In this episode of Gita in Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā 12.15–16, where Krishna describes the qualities of a devotee who is not disturbed by others and who does not unnecessarily disturb others.

Together we'll discuss how to navigate criticism, conflict, disappointment, and difficult relationships without losing our connection to Krishna. We'll explore the difference between reacting and responding, why we so easily get caught on an emotional roller coaster, and how shifting from "What does this mean for me?" to "...

In this episode of Gita in Action, we explore Bhagavad-gītā Chapter 12, verses 13–14, where Krishna describes the qualities of a devotee who is very dear to Him.

But this isn't simply a list of moral virtues. Krishna is showing us what spiritual maturity actually looks like and what naturally develops as the heart becomes transformed through bhakti.

We discuss:

• The difference between spiritual maturity and spiritual perfection
• Why devotion makes us more childlike, not childish
• Freedom from envy and comparison
• How to love real people instead of waiting for ideal people
•...

In this discussion on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Krishna reveals one of the most compassionate and hopeful teachings in the entire Gita: spiritual life is available to everyone, exactly where they are.

As Krishna continues describing the “ladder of devotion,” He shows how spiritual growth does not require instant perfection. If we cannot fully fix our minds on God, then we practice. If practice feels difficult, then we work for Him. And if even that feels out of reach, Krishna encourages us to simply begin by becoming a little less selfish.

This class explores:
• how ordina...

In this episode of Gita in Action, we explore what Krishna calls the “ladder of devotion” from Bhagavad-gītā Chapter 12, verses 8–9.

After establishing pure devotion as the highest spiritual path, Krishna does something deeply compassionate: He meets us exactly where we are.

What if you can’t think of God constantly?
What if your mind is restless, distracted, anxious, or attached to the material world?

Krishna explains that spiritual life is not all-or-nothing. Bhakti can be practiced at many levels, and every sincere step toward God has value.

In this class, we...

In this episode of the Gita in Action podcast, we begin Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita and explore one of Arjuna’s most important questions: Is it better to worship God as a person or as an impersonal spiritual energy?

Krishna’s answer reveals something deeply personal about the soul — that we are ultimately designed for loving relationship with God.

We discuss:
• the difference between bhakti and impersonal spirituality
• why material relationships often leave us disappointed
• the “God-shaped hole” in the heart
• how impersonal realization can sometimes feel safer
• why bhakti is both the p...

In this Chapter 11 review of the Bhagavad-gītā, we walk through one of the most intense and emotionally transformative chapters in the entire Gita — the Universal Form.

Arjuna witnesses unlimited cosmic power, time, destruction, creation, and the entire universe revealed within Krishna. At first the vision is awe-inspiring… then terrifying… and ultimately deeply humbling.

But surprisingly, after seeing the greatest display of divine power imaginable, Arjuna realizes that what his heart truly longs for is not more control, certainty, or spectacle — but loving relationship with Krishna.

In this class we explore:
• Krishna as time and...

What happens when our temporary goals conflict with our eternal purpose?

In this class, we explore one of the most practical and transformative teachings from the Bhagavad Gita: how to keep Krishna at the center while navigating real life responsibilities, relationships, ambitions, emotions, and struggles.

As Chapter 11 comes to a close, Krishna reveals that He is ultimately known not through scholarship, fear, or external achievement, but through sincere devotion. We discuss what bhakti actually looks like in practice — putting the “big rocks” first, protecting our consciousness, purifying desire, and learning how to act without hatred or sel...

What do we do when life shakes us?
When plans fall apart, identities shift, relationships change, or the things we depended on no longer feel stable?

In this class from Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad-gita, we explore Arjuna’s encounter with Krishna as Kala-rupa — time itself — and how moments of destruction and uncertainty can actually become invitations to deepen our relationship with God.

We discuss:

In this section of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Arjuna moves from fear and overwhelm back into peace through reconnecting with Krishna’s personal presence. After witnessing the terrifying universal form — a vision of time, destruction, cosmic power, and infinity — Arjuna realizes that what his heart longs for most is not more control, certainty, or spectacle, but relationship.

In this class, we explore what it means to “return to our original nature” and why loving connection with God is the deepest source of stability in an unstable world. We discuss how life inevitably shakes us through loss, uncertainty, heartbreak, and change...

In this section of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Arjuna witnesses Krishna’s universal form — an overwhelming vision of infinite power, creation, destruction, and time itself. At first he is amazed, but as the vision intensifies, something surprising happens: Arjuna doesn’t ask for more power, more revelation, or more spectacle. He asks for Krishna back.

Why? Because while power can overwhelm the mind, relationship is what satisfies the heart.

In this class, we explore the difference between admiration and intimacy, awe and trust, and why the soul is ultimately searching not just for greatness, but for loving...

In this class, we explore a powerful moment from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11) where Arjuna’s relationship with Krishna begins to shift—from familiarity to deep reverence.

As his clarity grows, something natural happens: humility arises.

And it brings up an important question for us—

What happens when we become too familiar with what is sacred?

Whether it’s our spiritual teachers, our partners, our family, or even our relationship with God… it’s easy to slip into casualness and lose the sense of appreciation and awareness that once felt so natural.

In this class, we explore a powerful section of the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11, verses 34–36), where Krishna tells Arjuna that the outcome is already arranged—and invites him to simply become the instrument.

But what does that actually mean for us?

How do we give our best effort without trying to control everything?
Where is the line between trying… and trusting?

Through the story of Arjuna and Jayadratha, and through real-life examples, we unpack what it looks like to live with effort and surrender—doing our part while allowing grace to step in where we...

What if real confidence isn’t about believing in yourself… but about relying on something higher than yourself?

In this episode of Gita in Action, we explore Bhagavad Gita 11.33 and unpack what Krishna really means when He tells Arjuna to “be an instrument.”

We talk about: