Holi Festival
The divine manifests through specific circumstances and through the eternal senses. We exist in a dark age where spiritual values decline, awaiting a divine manifestation.
A king performed severe austerities to gain power. He asked a divine being for immortality but was refused. He then requested a boon that no normal means could kill him, which was granted. Returning to his kingdom, he declared himself the only god. However, devotion to the true divine persisted. The king had a son, Prahlāda, who from childhood chanted the divine name despite his father's orders. The king's sister, Holika, who was immune to fire, tried to burn the boy but was herself consumed while he remained unharmed. The king repeatedly tried to kill his son, but divine protection saved him each time. Finally, the king threatened Prahlāda before a heated iron pillar. As the boy embraced it, a divine form, part-lion and part-man, emerged and killed the king at twilight in a doorway, thus fulfilling the conditions of the boon.
"God incarnates, and there are two kinds of God’s presence."
"Whom God saves, no one can kill."
Filming location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Ashram needs dedication
Seva, or selfless service, is the highest spiritual practice. Karma Yoga, the yoga of action, is the most accessible path. It involves using one's abilities for the benefit of others, leading toward liberation. God incarnates to perform seva, and saints hold a unique power to alter destiny through compassion. True service requires dedication and freedom from jealousy, which harms both the giver and receiver. The foundation of all seva begins with honoring one's parents, the primary pilgrimage. Cultivating pure relationships through selfless action is the essence of yoga in daily life.
"Gurujī used to say that if you put Mokṣa on one side of a scale and Seva on the other, the side of Seva would be heavier."
"Whoever can perform Seva achieves everything."
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
DVD 235
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
Practicing Yoga Asanas
We practice Vajrāsana and Vīrāsana for the nāḍī systems. Vajrāsana activates the Vajra Nāḍī, which begins between the big and second toe, connects to the base of the spine, and guides energy to the navel. Sitting in it after eating aids digestion and can help with constipation by relaxing the stomach and straightening the spine. It also balances the sciatic nerve. Vīrāsana, the hero's posture, involves sitting on the heels with toes standing. It warms the body, increases alertness, and with practice, can help repair digestion and headaches. These postures strengthen the lower centers and foot soles, which connect to the body's organs. They develop leg strength, balance, and concentration. Practice must be held steadily to awaken the nerves. "This Vajrāsana is designed especially to strengthen or to activate that Vajra Nāḍī." "This will repair our digestion. This will repair our headache problems, also many, many things." Filming location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Moksha Will Not Come Without Guru Kripa
Compassion is the root of righteousness and the foundation of spiritual life. The lives of holy figures demonstrate this. Mother Mary endured profound suffering, from giving birth in a stable to witnessing her son's crucifixion, yet maintained mercy. Similarly, the mother of Krishna suffered the loss of six children but did not abandon compassion. The lives of saints are never easy; they are often met with misunderstanding and persecution. True compassion means seeing the divine self in all creatures. The ego, the sense of "I," is the root of sin and blocks this mercy. Compassion is a practice: removing thorns from a path, giving food without judgment, and speaking kind words that calm the heart. These actions plant seeds that multiply. While wealth is necessary in this world, one must not be enslaved by it. The ultimate goal requires the grace of a true guide. Never abandon compassion as long as life remains.
"All creatures in this world are my ātmā, myself."
"Never give up your compassion, your mercy, as long as you have a life in your heart."
Filming location: Melbourne, Australia
