Keep the light
The Siddha Pīṭha Paramparā stems from the Himalayan legacy, where cosmic energy focuses directly from the universe. The master chose Jadan as a holy seat of immense energy, destined for all mankind. Every word of the Guru comes true. In Jadan Ashram, the light is radiant, but outer peace does not automatically bring inner peace. Life there is simple and intense, with time passing differently, allowing deep spiritual absorption. The lost needle searched outside where there is light, though lost in darkness, reflects ignorance. Where there is light, bright thoughts arise; where there is darkness, negativity comes. Christmas is a time to give away negative qualities, offer good feelings, and practice forgiveness. God unites in oneness, beyond differences in religion or culture. The Himalayas are the youngest mountains, yet they grow tall, hosting many saints and yogis. Alakhpurījī is indescribable, spotless, everlasting—a Śiva-like being. Serving the master in every aspect is the true sādhanā. Through such service, the physical body may transform into a subtle body, gaining siddhis. Śiva drank the world’s poison, becoming Nīlakaṇṭha, the blue-throated one. Alakhpurījī blessed Devpurījī in the glaciers, granting divine powers. The dharma is to work for Gurudeva and bring his message to others.
“Only to see the mountains is nothing. But in those mountains, we are searching for something.”
“Where there is light, it brings bright thoughts. And where there is darkness, negative thoughts come.”
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Up next
I am Thine
The vessel of divine love is the theme of this bhajan. The composition, by Śrī Svāmī Madhavānandajī, addresses his Gurudeva Śrī Dīp Nārāyaṇ Mahāprabhujī. It asks when the vessel will be filled. The bhakta waits at the door as a servant, fearing thirst. No one leaves that door empty-handed. A merciful glance awakens endless love in the disciple. The bhakta feels dying without love in the vessel. Past bhaktas like Mira and Kabīr received this love and drank with joy. Madhavānandajī implores for mercy to touch his soul. Mahāprabhujī declared the vessel was already filled. The disciple then stated only the Guru’s presence is desired. No wealth, no God, no other destination is wanted. Mahāprabhujī and Devpurījī affirmed the disciple is their own. At samādhi, the disciple said he remains always with the Guru. The presence, now in Badīkhāṭū and Om Āśram, is seen as living by those who come. The singular devotion made the Guru great.
“When will you fill my pot with your mercy, with your love?”
“I don’t want anything, only Gurudev, my Guru is everything.”
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
Keep your energies clean
The five bodies each require their own nourishment. The physical body, Annamaya Kośa, needs food. It is said every grain has a destined consumer. A story tells of a grain of rice, uncooked and stuck in a merchant's tooth, which later fell before a king who ate it. Another story tells of a chickpea that entered a man's sinus; a sage said it was destined for a chicken, and so it was. Destiny governs all; free choice is an illusion. Yet discipline is necessary. Care for the physical body through proper āsana and diet, understanding food's effects are unknown. The energy body, Prāṇamaya Kośa, is sustained by breath and pure substances; avoid blocking it with artificial materials. The mental body, Manomaya Kośa, contains all thoughts and desires, known only to oneself and the divine. The intellectual and bliss bodies will be discussed later. Practice yoga as a daily discipline for these sheaths.
"On every grain is written the name of the one who will eat it."
"Destiny is playing with us. Nothing we can do, and we do not have free choice."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
The Serpent's Blessing: A Story of Kuṇḍalinī
The path to consciousness unfolds through the inner kingdom. A man sought Kuṇḍalinī awakening. A master gave him a flute. He blew it continuously for half an hour. A cobra emerged from a bush. He coaxed the snake into a basket. He planned to display his awakened Kuṇḍalinī. Resting under a banyan tree, a monkey stole the basket. The monkey opened it, saw the king cobra, and became paralyzed with fear. The master felt sorry for the monkey. This story warns against chasing such experiences. Another man searched for the wish-fulfilling Kalpavṛkṣa tree. Sitting beneath it, he wished for water, food, a bed, a net, and his wife. Each appeared. Then he feared a ghost, and a ghost materialized. Greed leads to loss. True Kuṇḍalinī is energy, knowledge, light connecting to the cosmic. Rest and meditate instead of forcing practices.
"Kuṇḍalinī is your energy, your knowledge, many good things. It is your light connecting to the cosmic."
"Don’t run behind such things."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
How our fate brings us to yoga
A journey unfolds from personal crisis to spiritual awakening through the Guru's grace. A life in America, surrounded by material pursuit, led to physical injury and deep questioning. Searching for healing introduced a reluctant yoga practice. Discovering a book compelled a journey to New Zealand, where a meeting with the Guru felt like a destined reunion. The Guru's instruction to teach and later to open an ashram was initially resisted but ultimately accepted. Teaching Yoga in Daily Life in the West reveals a society where yoga is often mere gymnastics and core values are crumbling. The current global situation acts as a collective tapasyā, forcing introspection. True yoga is not sequential postures but the purification of all layers of being, integrated into daily life and simple human interactions.
"Everything is just crumbling. How can it get any better?" And Gurudev just said, "Put it in the fire." Tapasyā.
"I practice Yoga in Daily Life. That’s my job on Wall Street."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
