Be careful with the mind
The spiritual path is narrow and perilous, requiring vigilant discernment. Pride in the body or limited knowledge is a profound weakness. Spiritual development itself brings danger, akin to a newborn vulnerable to infection. Negative influences and mental afflictions can infiltrate and destroy progress from within, much like a small axe fells a mighty tree when joined by the forest that becomes its handle. Therefore, the protective power of true satsaṅga, or holy company, is essential. In this dark age of ignorance, the path is slippery and lined with adversaries. One must be humble, avoid negative company, and remain steadfast on the chosen path, for the mind can either liberate or destroy.
"Satguru satsaṅg yārī olu avere, olu avere nen bharja avere." (I am longing for those people who have satsaṅg.)
"Galiyāṁ choṭī, rāt andherī, rāste meṁ chikanāī." (The path is very narrow, the night is very dark, and the road is slippery.)
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Up next
The Fire of three tapas
The three fires are the fundamental problems of existence: physical and mental illness, worldly conflict, natural calamities, and astral or karmic disturbances. Ancient seers researched how to gain protection from these afflictions, which also shield one from planetary and societal influences. All beings, like a mobile tree, are subject to these universal forces. There are mantras to cultivate positive divine power, though negative power is realized more easily. Engaging with negative energies binds one to suffering, while aligning with the positive ultimately leads to unity. Ancestral prayers, a universal science reflected in many traditions, are necessary to prevent interference and liberate souls for new birth. Similarly, foundational ceremonies for new endeavors align energies for harmony. For spiritual practice, mantras act as a navigator, guiding through obstacles and past mistakes. The peace mantra from the Upanishads is a foundational tool. It seeks guidance from unreality to reality, from ignorance to light, and from mortality to immortality. The aim is to realize the immortal Self, beyond the changing body and world. This path faces external obstacles like negative company and internal ones like anger and ego. Mantra clears these barriers. Life is like a dream from which one awakens to a different reality. A realized being, a Trikāla Darśī, perceives past, present, and future, knowing how to avoid pitfalls. Ultimately, one surrenders to the divine will, though a self-realized master can alter destiny. Meditation requires mantra as its animating soul. Concentrating on inner sound through Nāda Yoga leads from bodily sounds to the sound of the Self. This requires immense discipline and saying 'no' to endless desires. Active meditation, performed with love in any work, purifies the outer life, which in turn supports inner, passive meditation.
Filming location: London, UK
DVD 579
Devas and Asuras
The path of prāṇa is the inner churning to reach the nectar within.
Prāṇāyāma consists of inhalation, exhalation, and retention; these three occur naturally in everyone. Specific breath techniques produce distinct effects on body, mind, emotion, intellect, and consciousness. The myth of ocean churning is a metaphor: the ocean is existence and consciousness. The spinal column is the mountain; kuṇḍalinī is the snake. Negative and positive qualities are the asuras and devas within, fighting through overthinking. This churning produces nectar, which is immortality located in the Bindu Cakra. Āyurveda originated from this churning, brought by Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Viṣṇu. Viṣṇu later appeared as Mohinī to distribute the nectar, using illusion to give true nectar to devas and a deceptive drink to asuras. One asura sneaked true nectar, was cut in two, and became Rāhu and Ketu. Rāhu vowed to disrupt auspicious events, so propitiation is necessary at gatherings. The nectar is within every being. Through Kriyā, balance is achieved in cakras and prāṇa. Prāṇa leads to Brahmaloka, which is pure energy. Killing or suicide brings bad karma and suffering. The divine is found within through unconditional surrender and devotion. Inner churning awakens good qualities and leads to liberation.
“O my friend, what you are searching for outside, you are me. I am within you. My hut is outside the city, but my dwelling is in your breath.”
“If you search for me, I will meet you at once; in a single second you will see me.”
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
The Weight of Life and the Resolve of a Student
The Weight of Life and the Resolve of a Student
Bhāra means weight. All weight on our shoulders—negativity, happiness, sadness—we give to Gurudev. Life’s troubles and joys, we place in Gurudev’s hands. We remember God and Gurudev when troubles come. Dhṛḍha Niścaya means determination. The five qualities of a student include the determination of a crow. A crow wanted water from a pot with a narrow opening. It collected pebbles and dropped them in until the water rose. The subconscious mind can make anything reality. We are not worthy, but within, everything is possible. Live in the world like a lotus in muddy water. Offer all bad qualities at Gurudev’s lotus feet. Act without expectation. In the last moment, let that be in Gurudev’s hands. The world is in Gurudev’s hands. Our actions and mālās are in our hands. The lotus has a protective layer; mud falls off. Responsibilities are like mud. Two wolves live in the mind—one of bad qualities, one of goodness. Thoughts are food; whichever wolf we feed awakens. Sarasvatī holds a vīṇā. Strings too tight break; too loose make no sound. Life is balance. Too much work is stress; too little is boredom. Too much talking creates confusion; too little creates distance. Sarasvatī teaches harmony, balance, unity, clarity, awareness. Words have power. One person believing in us changes life. Gurudev thinks of us before we think of ourselves. Speak with awareness, listen with patience. Arguments start without awareness and patience. Mālā teaches awareness and patience. Everything originates from somewhere. All forms of the Goddess originate from Bhagavatī Parāmbhā.
"Jo jag me rahū̃, to aise rahū̃, jo jal me kamal kā phūl rahe."
"Jaba jaba saṁsāra kā kārya banū, niṣkāma bhāva se karma karū."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Practicing Asanas 2
A gentle yoga practice integrates postures, breath, and focused awareness to calm the mind and strengthen the body. Begin by relaxing in a comfortable position, observing the natural breath. Practice postures like Pavanamuktāsana and Vyāghrāsana with smooth, controlled movements and coordinated breathing. Maintain awareness of alignment, such as keeping the pelvis level. Vīrāsana is highlighted for its benefits to the feet and mental state, despite potential discomfort from inflexibility. The practice emphasizes eliminating unnecessary movements to settle mental restlessness. Postures like Skandharāsana and Viparītakaraṇī Mudrā are detailed for their physical and energetic effects, including strengthening muscles and balancing prāṇa. Always breathe consciously and maintain control, concluding with relaxation and observation of the body and mind.
"When we have many vṛttis... you are restless inside. That is why we practice āsanas: to ensure we do not have extra movements. By eliminating extra movements, we calm our mind."
"Viparītakaraṇī Mudrā is excellent for your circulation... It influences your Bindu cakra. You will regenerate energy very quickly."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
