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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Practising from Jadan
The practice of yoga is a complete and great discipline for daily life. The body must be guided with precise, unmoving alignment once a position is established. Maintain a straight line in the limbs and a forward gaze. Do not shift the hands or feet after placing them. The ultimate aim is deep relaxation and peace, allowing the whole body to rest comfortably. This integration leads to a state where the distinction between teacher and self dissolves into simple being. The practice concludes with gratitude and a return to stillness.
"when you would put your hand further, it should not go straight further and then come back again."
"don’t move them. Stay in one place. Don’t move anymore."
Filming locations: Rajasthan, India
Gurudev always works for his bhaktas
Tat tvam asi teaches the immortal self. Nachiketa, a young seeker, was given by his father to death. He journeyed to Yama Loka and waited three days. Yamaraja granted three boons: reconciliation, explanation of the fire sacrifice, and knowledge of what happens after death. Yamaraja revealed the atman is ajara, ageless, immortal, smaller than the smallest, bigger than the biggest, hidden in all. This truth liberates, and patience is essential. The four ashramas—brahmacarya, grihastha, vanaprastha, sannyasa—guide life. A story warns of attachment: a man delayed following the guru, died, and was reborn as bull, dog, snake, always postponing surrender. Human birth is rare; do not waste it. Gurudev gives tools—mala, kriya, satsang, karma yoga—for development. Surrender brings ease; the restless mind creates problems. Trust Gurudev’s guidance; logic is unnecessary. The guru’s words are followed without question. Every tightening of screws shapes the disciple. Union with the one jyoti within all is realized. Ask, “Who am I?” and awaken.
"The ātmā is ajara ātmā — the ageless, immortal self."
"If we surrender to Gurudeva and let it all be in His hands, then we know that we are in safe hands."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Do not forget your destination
The mind is a wish-fulfilling tree that grants desires which ultimately destroy us.
We journey through a barren desert of life, navigating by stars and sun. A traveler, walking 50 kilometers on sand, finds a large tree for rest. He wishes for water, food, and a bed, and they appear. He then fears a ghost in the tree will kill him, and that fear manifests, killing him. This tree is the Kalpavṛkṣa, where any thought becomes reality. We are given a physical body, this temporary tree. Through it, we can fulfill wishes, but ambition and greed trap us beneath it. The mind is the ghost within the tree; we are its slaves, and it will destroy us. Another tale tells of a king who visits an ascetic. The ascetic reveals the king is a slave to his own mind, which the ascetic has mastered. Do not forget your ultimate destination on this journey. Do not become stuck in the illusions and desires of the physical form.
"Under this tree, whatever you wish or whatever you think comes true."
"You are the slave of my slave... My mind is my slave, and you are the slave of the mind."
Filming location: Szeged, HU
DVD 398
Hatha Yoga Kriyas (2/3)
Trāṭak is the sixth Haṭha Yoga purification, a practice of gazing on one point to concentrate and purify the sight. It uses a candle flame, a black spot, or the rising or setting sun, never direct sunlight. The flame is placed at arm's length, which strengthens eyesight and helps those who are short- or far-sighted. It trains the mind to focus on one point, calming scattered thoughts and vrittis, leading toward one-pointedness and meditation. Practice requires a peaceful place without drafts or disturbances, wearing loose, natural clothing to contain energy. The ideal flame height is at the heart center, as gazing on the outer light opens the heart chakra and leads to perception of the inner light. Pure ghee lamps are best, but a non-smoking plant-based candle is acceptable. Begin by gazing at the middle of the flame for 30 seconds, then close the eyes to observe the afterimage, repeating this cycle three times. Keep the body and eyes still, relaxing the eyebrow center. Do not practice if overly tired, or if experiencing schizophrenia or depression.
"Trāṭak is not relaxation; it is not meditation. It is concentration."
"Take this light, this flame, inside. This light is the symbol of the highest Self."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
