Prana and spirituality
The human form is a rare opportunity among countless creatures, created from the five elements and endowed with special abilities. Prāṇa is the vital energy that binds the five bodies—physical, energetic, mental, intellectual, and causal—into a single being. This causal body is born from desire, perpetuating the wheel of action and reaction. Prāṇa and Apāna are opposing forces; Prāṇa draws energy in, while Apāna expels waste. Their meeting point is the navel at the Maṇipūra Cakra. Impure Apāna, caused by consuming foods like meat, garlic, and beans, creates imbalance and disease, blocking spiritual ascent. Purity of body and thought is essential. Quality attracts quality; an impure mind is repelled by spiritual company. The essence of life is to realize its temporary nature and focus on the divine name.
"Prāṇa is that energy which keeps together all the five bodies."
"The joy is in the name of God. All your other works and business, everything is unreal."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
DVD 221
Up next
Morning Yoga Sādhanā on the Beach
Practice Yoga in Daily Life, first level, with second-level exercises, beginning with warm-ups.
Begin with Mṛjāvanam in Daṇḍāsana: interlace fingers, circle right and left with deep breaths. Next, stretch arms by spreading fingers, tucking thumb, making fists five times. Circle hands three times at shoulder height. Palms up, move hands inward and outward. Bring hands to shoulders, circle elbows forward and backward. Close eyes, place hands on thighs, feel warmth. For feet, lie down, squeeze and spread toes, then circle feet. Touch toes three times with straight back. Half butterfly with left leg bent, then Vajrāsana and relax. Perform Marjari: inhale rise, exhale to heels. Meruakaranasana on the right: turn, palm under shoulder, gaze at one point, breathe. Grasp toe, extend leg, bend knee; repeat. Same on the left side. Rest in Ānandāsana, legs apart, arms spread. Kathā Praṇām in Vajrāsana: inhale, raise arms, palms touching. Lower stomach, look upward, mountain posture, then lunge, chin to floor, push back, rise, raise palms. Chant: “Na’ham Kartā Prabhudīp Kartā Mahāprabhudīp Kartā He Kevalam.” Finish by rubbing face, cupping eyes, touching forehead to floor.
“Be mindful during the stretch—your legs must stay straight and you go only as deep as your muscles allow.”
“Gaze at one point on the floor in front of you and concentrate. It is a meditation.”
Filming location: Umag, Croatia
Keep your promises
Saturday's powerful constellation brings both benefit and challenge, reflecting Śani's influence. A story tells of a guru carrying a watermelon that briefly appeared as a severed head due to this energy, illustrating its transformative power. To navigate such influences, one makes a lifelong vow, a saṅkalpa, like giving up a specific food. This principle of promise extends to sacred commitments like marriage, which are not to be abandoned. On Guru Pūrṇimā, all actions and karmas from the past year are offered to the guru. The relationship with one's guru is singular and foundational, like that with one's biological parents. The core practice is to surrender everything to this guiding source.
"A promise is not just saying yes or no to something. It is a promise. When we make a promise, we have to follow it."
"On Guru Pūrṇimā... I give all my karmas, my practice, Gurudev, to you. And what mistakes I made, I also give to you."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Christmas with Swamiji in Vienna
We celebrate the arrival of Jesus, a festival of peace, love, and unity. The world needs light, both physical and the divine light of wisdom within every being. Since organized religion began, division has followed, unlike the universal, indivisible consciousness of Sanātana Dharma. Human greed creates ownership and mental pollution, which is more dangerous than physical waste. Before a bomb destroys others, it destroys itself; similarly, negative thoughts first harm the one who holds them. We are called not to judge, but to forgive and to hate the sin, not the sinner. Modern celebrations have become materialistic and polluting, especially with single-use plastics, which now seem immortal. The true gift is non-material, offered openly without harmful packaging. Our spiritual duty is selfless service, to pass on immortal wisdom. A true disciple, like Jesus, endures suffering without abandoning principle to deliver a divine message. We must write and share immortal wisdom through devotion and trust.
"Forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."
"We hate the sin, but not the sinner."
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
The Festival of Holī: From Darkness to Light
The festival of Holī celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Culture and tradition unite us, creating family and community. Human life is a precious opportunity for spiritual progress, the final step toward self-realization. The journey is like a river seeking the ocean or a leaf separated from its tree, fraught with obstacles. Ego and negative qualities must die for the pure self to live. This is not easily achieved, as illustrated by a disciple who claimed enlightenment yet reacted with anger when tested. The story of Holī originates from the demon king Hiraṇyakaśipu, who sought immortality through a boon making him nearly invincible. His devout son Prahlāda, protected by divine grace, survived all attempts on his life. The king’s sister Holikā, who was immune to fire, perished when trying to burn Prahlāda, while he remained unharmed. The king was ultimately destroyed by the divine Narasiṁha avatāra, a half-man, half-lion form, at twilight, at a threshold, fulfilling the conditions of the boon. The festival thus symbolizes the destruction of negative forces and the protection of devotion. It is a day for joy, color, and harmony, reminding us to cultivate goodness and reduce negativity within.
"Human life is the last milestone to enter into that kingdom of the Supreme."
"‘Die’ means ego, selfishness, greed, anger, hate, jealousy, revenge, cruelties, backbiting, negative thinking."
Filming location: Brisbane, Australia
