International Conference on Yoga and Ayurveda - Academic Sessions I & II
Live from Om Ashram, Jadan, Rajasthan.
Session I (14:30): Ancient Wisdom as a Foundation for Contemporary Life — Chair: Prof. Dr. S. P. Sardeshmukh; Speakers: Prof. Dr. Banwari Lal Gaur, CA Swapnil Kothari, Dr. Virendra Singh Bithoo.
Session II (15:45): Integrative Health, Medicine and Human Wellbeing — Chair: Claudia Matejovsky; Speakers: Dr. Prashant Suru, Prof. Dr. Martin Repko, Prof. Dr. Vineeta Deshmukh, Dr. Alena Filková.
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We need peace in the whole world
Peace is the essential state and practice.
The word "Śāntiḥ" encompasses perfect happiness and is invoked to conclude prayers. The world desperately needs this peace. Our practice and mantras are good and must be shared. Life is like a flame sustained by energy; when that is gone, the flame goes out. Our bodies contain the five elements. We should begin the day with reverence for earth and water. Observing nature, like birds and dogs greeting the sun, reveals a shared vitality. Dietary choices, like abstaining from meat, can bring more peace and clarity. Personal rituals, like morning Pūjā, connect us to this energy. We should send prayers for others from our own prāṇa. The flame of a lamp is powerful; showing it to a child can aid sleep. Our practices and words are a spiritual wealth to be given to all. We will face difficulties but should build and give goodness. Practice Trāṭak by gazing softly at a flame's clean light, then closing the eyes.
"Śānti is both a feminine principle and the state of perfect happiness and joy."
"Life is like this fire. When everything, like ghee, is consumed, it will go away."
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
Stories about master and disciple
Sādhanā must be properly practiced as the guru teaches. Disciples sing bhajans daily and inquire to become yogis and understand sādhanā. If sādhanā is not performed properly, life cannot be good. The sādhanā given by Alakhpurījī, Devpurījī, and Mahāprabhujī is known by some. One disciple, Premānand, did difficult sevā, living only for his guru. Gurus, parents, and worldly bonds all present challenges. A student spent time at the ashram school but left to follow his own guru; later he became a brilliant yogi drawing many seekers. Another young speaker explained that buttoning from bottom to top is correct; top-down is wrong. He then asked for a lecture but the teacher wished to hear him instead. A tale tells of a father and son evading a ticket on a train. The son extorted money for treats, threatening to reveal his true age. Finally the father lamented that buying a ticket would have cost far less. Mahāprabhujī once sent a disciple out in blazing heat to beg for food. The disciple was told to bring back whatever was given. When the disciple feared being left, the guru promised to bring him food wherever he was. That is the true bond of guru and disciple. Among countless sādhus, perhaps only one or two are genuine.
"If this is not done properly, then it is not good; your life will not be good."
"Wherever you are, I will bring you food."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
Obstacles on the spiritual path
The spiritual search is conducted within, not in the external world. We possess everything we seek, yet we search outside like a mother frantically looking for the child she already holds. Spiritual blindness is like a fog or a blind man missing an open door while feeling along a wall. The path involves purification of body and mind through gradual practice, not competition. The guru awakens inner knowledge but cannot walk the path for the seeker. Disease originates in impure thoughts and nourishment. Reduce consumption gradually, not austerely. Serve others before yourself.
"Everything is with us."
"The guru has given that knowledge; the guru has given that spirituality."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
