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The 2nd Sri Swami Maheshwarananda Festival from Villach, Austria.

Swamiji in Sliac, 9th April 2007

The Guru's light manifests on earth as pure knowledge, requiring a living guide for correct spiritual practice. This divine principle, the Guru Tattva, is the same in all true teachers, yet disciples share an intimate, familial connection with their own. The guru's physical form is a vessel for this light; entering its radiant aura transforms one's energy. Even in the guru's physical absence, gathering with devotion in satsaṅg magnetically draws that divine presence. The quality of satsaṅg depends on the participants' internal energy. Approach it not as obligation but with joy, for your own energy determines the atmosphere. To elevate personal energy, engage in singing bhajans. Consciously replace negative thoughts with positive ones to rewire the mind toward happiness. A spiritual life must be a life of joy and inspiration, rooted in the constant feeling of connection to the divine. "When bhaktas are together and singing my name, thinking on me, the Hari, the God, that divine energy comes to that place." "Satsaṅg is not an obligation, but satsaṅg is a joy." Filming location: Vép, Hungary

The human body is a vehicle for attaining liberation, requiring purification of three primary obstacles: impurities, disturbances, and ignorance. The soul descends through cycles of birth among 8.4 million life forms, with human birth being a rare opportunity. The intellect is a powerful tool to discover hidden powers within the 72,000 nerves, particularly the four principal ones governing health, emotion, activity, and consciousness. Two fundamental forces, divine and negative, constantly interact within, influenced by time and place. The chakras represent rotating energies, with the foundational Mūlādhāra Chakra housing unconscious consciousness and past, present, and future potentials. Impurities—physical, mental, and emotional—must be cleansed through Haṭha Yoga techniques, which balance emotion and intellect. Disturbances are restless thoughts and waves that prevent clear perception and meditation. Ignorance is a curtain over consciousness, removed through attentive listening in silent spiritual gatherings. The inner instrument consists of mind, intellect, memory, and ego, influenced by the three qualities of harmony, activity, and inertia. These qualities stem from diet, society, and habits. True progress requires mastering speech and action, understanding that the world is transient, and seeking the ultimate truth beyond it. "Brahma-satya jagat-mithyā. The Brahman, the supreme God, which has no form, no name, but still He is there. He is omniscient and omnipresent. That is the final truth." "Before you speak, think it over. Don't say always that I am right and I am right." Filming location: New York, USA

The path requires spiritual discipline through specific principles. Enter the divine kingdom through sacrifice and renunciation. The first principle is austerity, the strength to endure situations without being offended. The second is work; without puruṣārtha, one attains nothing. Dharma, prosperity, duty, and liberation are realized only through disciplined action. Dependence—financial, physical, or emotional—is a source of suffering. Cultivate multi-talented readiness for any work to eliminate fear and attachment. Practice discipline and regularity in all things, including diet and conduct. Study sacred texts and introspect to know thyself. Renounce attachment to remain free while fulfilling your duties. Success is self-knowledge and becoming a guiding force, achieved through austerity, renunciation, study, and constant practice. "Without work, no one gets anything in the world." "Know thyself is the answer to all your questions and sufferings." Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

Oṃ is the divine sound, the origin and essence of all creation. Oṃ is the primordial vibration, the sound-form of the absolute. Its written symbol contains a Bindu, representing both the point from which the universe emerged and the drop of immortal nectar. Yogis meditate upon it eternally. It grants desires and liberation. This is not a sound we create but an existing reality we resonate with through chanting. The practice of Nāda Yoga uses outer sound to journey toward the inner experience of Oṃ. At the highest stage, this sound is perceived directly, transforming into light and expanding consciousness. All true mantras contain Oṃ. It is described as the Word present at creation, the formless source that manifests as the three qualities composing the world. Spiritual practice without connection to Oṃ is considered fruitless. Chanting purifies, illuminates, and awakens divine bliss. "Oṃ is the divine name. Oṃ is God." "Oṃkār bina, sādhanā sapahote bikārī re." Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

A morning sādhana sequence integrates breath, movement, and awareness. Begin by warming the body with gentle stretches and deep breathing. Practice foundational āsanas like Pavanamuktāsana and Marjaryāsana to activate the spine and muscles. Flow through a warming sequence, coordinating each motion with inhalation and exhalation. Perform forward bends and backbends, focusing on alignment and the stretch without pain. Incorporate inverted postures to affect circulation and glands. Conclude with prāṇāyāma to regulate energy and a period of silent observation. The practice strengthens the body, deepens the breath, and calms the mind. "Marjaryāsana is a wonderful morning āsana, stretching your back muscles and activating your spine." "Observe your breath, and feel the effects of the āsanas." Filming location: Umag, Croatia

All paths converge to a single essence. Different masters and gods are like separate drops that ultimately enter the ocean. From that ocean, differentiation arises again, just as water evaporates to form clouds. The purpose is to understand why some return quickly while others fall far away. A story illustrates this: seeds ground between two stones become flour, but a handful near the central hook remain complete. Those who surrender at the holy feet are like those seeds; they are not ground but come to the highest. Another story tells of a yogi saddened by slaughter; in meditation, it was revealed the karma belongs to the actors, not the witness. Satsang attendees are already there and will reach the supreme. The sound within, like the ocean's resonance, is Nādarūpa Parabrahma. This vibration is in the whole universe and within all. Do not sit passively like a dead body; respond and awaken to this sound. "Those who come to the Gurudevs, or your God, or your temples, or your church—where we are at the holy feet of the gods—they will not be ground." "It is their karma, and they will get it back again. But you have done nothing. You see, it is painful, but you have not done." Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

True meditation is found within, not in external pursuits. External experiences are temporary, like falling leaves or pictures of food that cannot satisfy hunger. The source of lasting peace and power resides inside every person. Looking outward in meditation is like a father distracting a child with promises; the comfort is fleeting. A seeker performing many rituals found no peace until instructed to simply rest inwardly and surrender all effort. Another devotee could not see Kṛṣṇa in meditation until taught to calm the inner vision. All that is sought—God, the guru, harmony—is already present within the self. The journey requires turning the senses inward to discover the permanent source behind the temporary world. "Go within thyself. Whatever is given from outside is given... But what is given from outside is temporary." "Close your eyes and rest. Give it to me... Don’t think anything. Now you should know that I am in my body." Filming location: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Life is the Ātmā within all beings, seen through the Self. Humans consume life, yet must understand this act distances them from the supreme. Feeling pain teaches non-violence. To approach God requires immense time and grace; unintentional harm may be forgiven, but intentional killing bars the path. Saints do not boast; true greatness lies in selfless service. The mala is a constant step toward God, paired with a mantra given by the guru or family. Regular prayer, like the Muslim practice, instills discipline. The greeting of praṇām is a mutual prayer for goodness. There are two mala practices: one uses a 108-bead mala with a Guru Mukhī bead, turned with the thumb and middle finger without crossing that bead. The other is Sumaran, a constant walking remembrance like the breath, without a guru point. The story of Hanuman illustrates that one's chosen divine name, like Rām, becomes an inseparable companion through constant repetition, leading ultimately to merging with divine light. "One mala means for us one step toward God." "Your Rām is your mother, your father, your brother, your good friend." Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India

The ashram is heaven on earth, a place of immense energy where the Guru is always present in essence. A journey unfolds through divine guidance, not personal will. A trip to India for Guru Pūrṇimā was redirected by unseen forces, leading one back to the ashram family. Later, guidance came through a spoken sentence about Romania, which led to the establishment of an ashram there through inner instruction, not conversation. A pilgrimage to holy sites in the Himalayas was similarly guided, with paths clearing miraculously to allow darśan. In all endeavors, the Guru's direction is for self-learning. Yoga is a path to discover who one is. Scientific research into modified prāṇāyāma, inspired by the Guru's words, later fostered a university collaboration and a successful public yoga event, where a protective cloud appeared as a sign. "With our yoga in daily life, it is not just āsana. It is a way to learn about ourselves and to look at ourselves." "One sentence from Gurudev can change and influence so many things." Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

Satsaṅg is the gathering where truth resides and God is the center. Life transforms in its light, allowing action with detachment. The broader meaning is a gathering of like-minded individuals focusing on God beyond any single religion. The closer meaning is the place where truth itself resides. Bhajans are the songs born from the realization of saints, expressing divine glory through poetry and melody. Diving into bhajans reveals endless layers of truth, which deepens with devoted repetition. This practice is a gentle medium for revelation, a base teaching requiring only voice or mind. To sing bhajans is to communicate with God and the masters, understanding their teachings. "The center of every satsaṅg is God. It doesn’t matter which name." "Bhajans highlight the glory of God in whatever form... The more often you repeat, the more you sing with devotion, with bhakti, the more the truth will reveal itself to you." Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India

Chanting mantras brings peace and purifies the environment through resonance. Life's disturbances agitate the mind, but mantra restores concentration and releases stress. The Guru Mantra profoundly affects body, mind, intellect, and consciousness. Five techniques exist for its practice. First is writing the mantra daily; positive mantras are not secret and help others. Second is chanting aloud, which influences the three primary energy channels and awakens resonance within the chakras. Each alphabet in the chakras represents a protective power. Third is whispering with slight lip movement, a stage of turning inward while remaining aware. Fourth is mental repetition, which awakens the inner light of knowledge. Fifth is automatic repetition, where the mantra continues effortlessly like breath, requiring no physical or mental effort. This highest level operates constantly. Mantra chanting creates a powerful energy that awakens inner knowledge. "The Mother Earth has enough for our need, but not for our greed." "Ajāpa means you need not repeat. Neither your lips nor your tongue moves." Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

True yoga requires right conduct, not just physical exercise. Without abstaining from meat and alcohol, it is merely exercise, not the yogic path. The world often misunderstands this. The purpose is to return to God, a knowledge preserved in India. Foreign influences promoting contrary habits have caused problems. A return to peace and understanding is coming. Many worldwide now question harming animals. This is yoga in daily life. Many teachers work globally, but practice is undermined if students return home to eat meat. All beings are connected. The practice must be consistent, regardless of one's background. "If someone consumes meat and alcohol, they are not a yogī, and it is not yoga. It becomes merely an exercise." "We should not kill animals. This is yoga in daily life." Filming location: Bari Khatu, Rajasthan, India

Evening satsang with Vishwaguruji from Vienna, Austria. Silent meditation and prayer with Vishwaguruji.

The divine is perceived as both formless and with form. The formless God, Nirākāra, is like the horizon or sky—everywhere yet unreachable. The personal God, Sākāra, has a form we can relate to, speak with, and worship. Scripture states both are valid, but for humanity, worship with form is easier as it allows for relationship and dialogue. Our human nature encompasses both aspects. We are advised to use our divine potential through proper practice, as our latent powers can lead us toward divinity or negativity. How we speak and act directly impacts our spiritual and physical well-being, as our energy flows through subtle centers. We must choose a path that awakens our higher consciousness. "both are good, Nirākāra and Sākāra, the formless and with form. But he said, for you... it is easier to worship in form." "you have a chance of being a human... you are divine, you are godly, but all is dormant." Filming location: USA

The disciple must never abandon the need for the guru or the teachings, for that is the gravest error. The guru is the principle that leads from ignorance to knowledge. This Guru Tattva is the essential diamond, not the physical form, yet it is embodied to provide tangible guidance. God aids the seeker by sending the guru, who is thus revered as indispensable. The aim is to merge the individual self with the cosmic Self, like a river entering the ocean. This is the Advaita understanding, where the one supreme reality is reflected in all individuals. This merging is the true purpose of yoga, achieved through the guru's grace and teachings. The embodied form concentrates this divine energy, making darśana transformative. The state beyond the three guṇas is inexpressible; it can only be pointed to as 'not this, not that.' "The moment you think you know everything, very soon you will find yourself asking, 'Where are the bricks? Where is the parachute?'" "God will send your friend with the boat. And the Guru is here." Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

Yoga is practiced in the heart of the city on a car-free day. Our international system, Yoga in Daily Life, was founded by an Indian master and has been present here for over thirty years. We have a center that has continuously held classes from the same location. Today, we practiced with children of various ages. It is interesting to practice yoga on this normally busy avenue. The experience proves you can practice undisturbed even here; the curious onlookers inspire us. We welcome visitors to try this tomorrow. "It’s a very interesting experience that you can practice yoga even in such a place, and nothing really disturbs you." "Let them also try what it is like to exercise their right on one of Budapest’s busiest streets." Filming location: Budapest, Hungary

Yoga in Everyday Life is a system of practice for daily living. We demonstrate its aspects at events like the Vegetarian Festival. The practice involves paying attention to bodily sensations, which connects you to vitality carried by circulation and prāṇa. The system offers recommendations, with a vegetarian lifestyle being foremost. It is not enough to merely be vegetarian; one must also move, exercise, practice prāṇāyāma, and relax. This philosophy aims first for good health, suggesting many troubles originate from the stomach and the sense of taste. Managing this is possible through the master yoga system. Beyond physical benefits, the philosophy makes life easier, providing opportunity to find oneself and ultimately reach the Self of God, Paramātmā. "Among these, the foremost is to maintain a vegetarian lifestyle." "He can deal with everything if he is involved in the master yoga system." Filming location: Budapest, Hungary

Yoga in Daily Life Class of Level 1 Part 2 filmed in Sydney

The guru's grace can alter destiny. Everything depends on our karmas. What is written in your destiny will happen. A story illustrates the guru's power to change this. A king's guru met the Vedāntā, the destiny writer, going to inscribe the fate of the king's newborn twins. She declared one son would live in poverty selling wood from a horse, and the other would hunt, barely catching one animal daily. The guru warned her she would regret this. The guru then left. The king was later killed in an attack, and the twins were raised in poverty by a potter, fulfilling the destined misery. Years later, the guru returned. He instructed the wood-selling brother to sell his horse each day, forcing the Vedāntā to provide a new one each time to fulfill the destiny. He told the hunter to only hunt a golden deer, ignoring all other animals. The Vedāntā was thus forced to provide a golden deer daily to meet the decree of one kill. The brothers grew wealthy. The Vedāntā, overwhelmed, begged the guru for forgiveness and agreed to rewrite their destiny to become kings again, which then occurred. "Just be careful that you do not regret your decision later." "Guru Kṛpāhi Kevalam." Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

Evening program from India

The Śrāvaṇa month is dedicated to Lord Śiva, who drank the ocean's poison to protect all beings, earning the name Nīlakaṇṭha. Offerings like water, milk, and honey during this time are for inner purification, with effects multiplied. Śiva is pleased by pure intention, not elaborate ritual. A devoted boy once performed an abhiṣeka with spoiled milk, pickle brine, and maple syrup, creating chaos. Yet, his pure bhāva, his heartfelt feeling, transformed the village, bringing rain and harmony. The essence of any action—worship, service, or daily work—is the love and sincerity with which it is performed. That feeling is everything. "He took that poison and drank it, which is why his throat is blue." "It does not matter how we do it, but with which bhāva, with which feelings, we are doing it." Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic

Life's deepest treasure is complete and everlasting bliss, the crown of self-realization rooted in God-realization. Rare beings attain this pearl of Paramānanda. A seeker's deep prayer brought him face-to-face with his divine master, seeing the form of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He became a true disciple, devoting body, mind, and soul. He received the highest spiritual initiation, instantly attaining samādhi. His life was a permanent establishment in the highest spiritual experience under his master's guidance. As a spiritual successor, he built and established āśrams, tirelessly spreading the light. He preached non-dualism, non-violence as the highest religion, and the unity of all humanity through song and service. His devotion was Parabhakti, love without reservation, repeating the divine name for over eighteen hours daily. Such love overcomes all obstacles between us and God. He became a living testament that this realization is possible. "My eyes filled with tears, and I fell to my knees. I knew I had found the everlasting light of my life." "All humans belong to one religion, and that is humanity." Filming location: Bola Guda, India

The purpose of human life is to realize the Ātmā within the heart, moving from ignorance to the light of liberation. We are bound to the outer world and identify with thoughts and feelings, believing we are separate individuals. This causes suffering and the cycle of birth and death. The guru provides practices to overcome this false identification and ego. Through devotion and these tools, one can purify the inner self. The goal is to recognize the oneness of the inner self and the Divine, which already exists within. The outer world is manifold, but the inner Puruṣa is one. Do not waste the precious human life in worldly pursuits. "Only your guru can free you from that. He can lead you from this ignorance to the light—the light of wisdom, the light of knowledge, the light of liberation." "The eyes are given to you to see the Lord, and the ears we have to listen to wisdom. With our mouths we shall chant the name of God, and with our hands we should give." Filming location: Debrecen, Hungary

The longing for the divine is the core of spiritual search. External pursuits bring only change, not lasting joy. Saints direct the search inward, where the beloved is found. The essence of creation is Oṁ, the sound and form of God. Knowing this secret, saints abide in eternal bliss. Practice purifies the layers of being, revealing the higher Self. The guru incarnates to bestow the knowledge and path for self-realization. This teaching dispels the illusion of separation from God. "Somehow, the world pulls us outward, but there is always change." "Without Aum, your spiritual practice is senseless." Filming location: Debrecen, Hungary