Kathirasan K

I’ll be speaking today on how mindfulness can help us live a truly happier life, beyond the common myths that surround happiness and meditation. Many assume that meditators are automatically happy, but there’s much more to understand about what happiness really means.
The talk is free and organised by Mindfulness Toronto. It will be at 10pm (Singapore time - GMT+8).

I’ll be speaking today on how mindfulness can help us live a truly happier life, beyond the common myths that surround happiness and meditation. Many assume that meditators are automatically happy, but there’s much more to understand about what happiness really means.

The talk is free and organised by Mindfulness Toronto.

The word love is far from fixed—it often shifts in meaning as our biological drives change. In the early stages of a relationship, what we call love may be little more than attraction, novelty, or the thrill of being wanted. As hormones surge, we label that rush as love. But as those drives settle, the meaning of love tends to shift—or dissolve.

When we don’t recognise this evolving nature, we risk building relationships on fleeting instincts rather than enduring values. Many relationships falter not because love disappears, but because what was once called love was never deeply understood to begin with.

To complicate things further, many therapists reinforce the idea that love can be salvaged if one or both partners simply change their behaviour. But if the foundation was an illusion to begin with, what exactly are we trying to fix? Mistaking infatuation for love—and then trying to retrofit meaning onto it—is one of the greatest delusions of modern relationships.

Every act of unkindness we endorse—even indirectly—creates a ripple that eventually finds its way back.

Kindness isn’t just about how we treat others—it’s about the culture we help create. Choose compassion, even when it’s hard. Because what we normalize in others, we invite into our own lives.

Many people assume that reducing stress automatically leads to happiness, but from a mindfulness perspective, this is a limited view. Mindfulness teaches us that happiness is not merely the absence of stress, but the presence of awareness, acceptance, and meaningful engagement with life.

While mindfulness practices can indeed lower stress, their true gift lies in helping us relate to our inner world with attention, acceptance and awareness. In doing so, we uncover deeper layers of joy and contentment that are born of our interaction with the world. Simply removing stress may leave us with silence, but it is in engagement that allows peace, purpose, and happiness to arise within that space.

This talk is ideal for anyone with an interest in Indian Philosophy and Pedagogy.

Tomorrow, I will be speaking on the 8th century text Upadeśasāhasrī by Shankara. I will be offering insights into its systematic methodology for teaching Vedanta. It will explore Shankara’s innovative approach to bridging gaps in traditional pedagogy, emphasising the importance of mental readiness, ethical discipline, and tailored instruction for seekers. I will showcase Shankara’s use of dialogue and compassionate guidance to illuminate the path to enlightenment/liberation.

Attend the Symposium for free by registering here:https://indica.events/event/symposium-on-prakarana-granthas/

Excited to share that I’ll be speaking today at the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA) webinar, exclusively for its members. My presentation will focus on the critical role of understanding pedagogy for mindfulness teachers and innovators. If you’re an IMTA member, you should have already received your invitation. Looking forward to connecting with you there!

Solitude vs. Loneliness: A Mindfulness Perspective

Solitude is the gift of being alone with yourself. It’s intentional, restorative, and filled with presence. In solitude, you reconnect with your inner self and embrace the quiet as a space to grow.

Loneliness, on the other hand, is the feeling of being alone without yourself. It’s rooted in disconnection, even when surrounded by others. You can feel lonely at a party.

You’re never truly alone when you come to know your self-nature.

On Friday, November 8, 2024, I had the privilege of participating in the Learning Journey organized by the Institute for Governance and Leadership (IGL) under the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, held at Ba’alwie Mosque. It was an inspiring experience to speak alongside other interfaith leaders to an international delegation.

In my brief speech, I shared a timeless verse from the Rig Veda: “Truth is one, sages call it by many names,” emphasizing that the spirit of pluralism is essential for peace, happiness, and harmonious coexistence in a multicultural nation like Singapore.



Photo credit: Gerald Francis Kong

This is a sad piece of news. Wishing Fr Christopher Lee a speedy recovery. May peace prevail.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

We are deeply concerned about the attack on Father Christopher Lee.

The attack took place in a church, a place of worship sacred to the Christian community.

Every place of worship, be it a church, temple, mosque or synagogue, is a site for communities to seek refuge, feel safe and be at peace.

We pray for the speedy recovery of Father Christopher Lee.

Wishing everyone celebrating a meaningful Deepavali. May the light you kindle reflect the brilliance of your inner light.

Image credit: .sg

Who would have thought that rock music and heavy metal would lead to my self-discovery! I vividly remember hearing these four lines from Black Sabbath’s ‘Wheels of Confusion’ in 1990, and with the music as a backdrop, those lines completely shifted my perspective on the futility of striving.

Winning and losing became relative concepts. A few years later, I turned down a university offer to search for life’s true purpose. That’s when mindfulness, philosophy, and Consciousness entered the picture, setting me on a path I’ve never regretted. It shaped who I am today. Who says darkness can’t give birth to light?