The Practice and Power of Trāṭaka
Trāṭaka is the practice of steady gazing to develop concentration and purify the mind. The best object is a pure ghee lamp flame, though a candle flame, a black dot, or a sacred image are also suitable. Never gaze at your own reflection in a mirror, as it can cause psychic disturbances. Gazing at the rising sun should last only half a minute to protect eyesight. This practice dispels fear, anxiety, and mental impurities, clearing the inner instrument. When performed with discipline every morning and evening for twelve years without a single break, it bestows a siddhi: the gaze becomes pure and merciful, attracting others. However, this attainment is blocked by a negative internal state. The practice awakens Sarasvatī's power in the throat, granting eloquent speech and artistic intuition. It illuminates the inner space, calms mental fluctuations, and aids in awakening the Kuṇḍalinī. It also empowers speech, making words balanced and meaningful, while teaching the importance of non-violence in speech, as verbal wounds are deep and lasting. Full benefit requires a personal Guru Mantra and guidance from a qualified teacher to avoid mental problems. The practical method involves sitting straight, establishing the correct distance to the flame, repeating the mantra, and alternating between external gazing and internal focus on the after-image.
"By practicing Trāṭaka every morning and evening without interruption for twelve years, one attains a siddhi."
"Only Gurudev can remove the darkness of the heart."
Filming location: Australia
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Cosmic energy
Prāṇa is the life force and the core inquiry is the nature of the self. Prāṇa is the cosmic energy enabling existence, divided into specific aspects for functions like sight and heartbeat. Physical prāṇa is linked to oxygen, while astral prāṇa is the eternal cosmic supply. The fundamental questions are: Who am I? From where did I come? For what purpose? Where will I go after this life? The self is not the body, mind, or intellect, but that which says "I." Awareness travels with the speed of thought, expanding consciousness instantly. Life's duty is to perform one's role well, though discerning how to truly help others requires understanding their actual needs. To protect and harmonize prāṇa, adhere to four nourishments: āhār (pure, sattvic diet), vihār (positive environment and company), ācār (kind, socialized behavior), and vicār (positive thinking). Practice prāṇāyāma to regulate breath and connect to spiritual energy, using specific techniques with alternate nostrils to calm the nervous system and cultivate pure consciousness.
"Prāṇa is the life force. Prāṇa is the source of our life."
"Who am I? I am not this body, I am not this mind, I am not this intellect."
Filming locations: Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
The Harmony of Yoga and Āyurveda
Yoga and Āyurveda are two wings for the soul's flight. This is a lifelong work of discipline. The first happiness is a healthy body, called niroga. A healthy family is the foundation; parents must remain together with children for harmony. Husband and wife require mutual understanding. Obedient children learn from parents who do not quarrel. Good neighbors are the fifth happiness. The sixth is having a milking animal and a kitchen garden. Āyurveda teaches that every plant has value, as shown in the story of Charaka. Discipline is essential: for medicine like chyavanprāś, follow strict dietary rules. Yoga begins with discipline; Āyurveda medicine begins with discipline. The cause of disease is eating constantly, which disrupts the digestive fire, Jāṭharāgni. Seek advice only from a trained Āyurvedic doctor who understands pulse diagnosis. These sciences make us healthy, grant long life, and aid spiritual achievement. The soul departs with speed, guided only by karma and spirituality.
"The first happiness is a healthy body."
"Yoga and Āyurveda will make us very healthy, happy, and give us a long life and spiritual achievement."
Filming location: Rijeka, Croatia
The Taming of the Hungry Wolf
Life is tiring. An idle brain gets bored. Boredom feeds the dark wolf inside. The dark wolf is hungrier. It seeks an adrenaline rush through greed. The five inner enemies are kāma, krodha, mada, lobha, ahaṅkāra. Reduce them using viveka. Choose buddhi over buddhū. The fight between heart and brain often lacks viveka. A pure heart emits purity. Impurity reflects back. Words pass through the subconscious. Talk with awareness, listen with patience. Without awareness, we are agyānī jīva. Trust in the guru’s boat. The guru bears the torch, showing the path. Four kṛpās exist: Deva, Śāstra, Guru, and Khud kī kṛpā. The mind is a drunk monkey bitten by a scorpion. Viveka aligns us with dharma. The past is gone, the future unknown. Be the best version of yourself. Awareness tames the monkey. Saṃskāras are given by parents and guru. We need treats like grace. Inner enemies increase desire, decreasing spirituality. Tame them like a horse. An ego trip fuels the fire. Spirituality has no comparison. Purity in devotion matters more than quantity. Evaluate thoughts: useless ones go. Fix yourself first. Clear vision removes mental trash. Use Viveka Cloud. Words reflect inner stink. Gurudev takes us across māyā. Ask who am I. The Ātmā changes bodies. Having a guru proves this is the last life. Mahāpuruṣas incarnate for us. Pray for Śakti, Bhakti, Vairāgya. Detachment means not being possessed by possessions. Walk the guru’s path. Satsaṅg is positive talk. Viveka determines your job’s nature. Change comes from yourself. Guru Tattva remains always. A sādhu’s life is a living flame.
"One bad word which comes out of the mouth destroys ten rounds of mālā."
"The possessions which you possess should not possess you one day."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
The Guru Gītā and the Path of the Disciple
The Guru Gītā and the Path of the Disciple
The Guru Gītā is the foundation of morning sādhanā and the disciple's relationship to the Guru. The Guru Gītā comes from the Skandapurāṇa. Western mentality demands clear specification, only one true guru, and fears the wrong guru leads to hell. Advaita Vedānta sees all fires as real fire, just as all gurus manifest the Guru Tattva. Kangaroos jump from system to system with strong Mūlādhāra and oily New Age ideas. The Guru is the ship and the bridge across the ocean of māyā. Oils, gemstones, and rudrākṣa do not save; only practice saves. No one can practice for another. The real guru is your guru, with respect for all gurus. Vyāsa means compiler, not inventor; knowledge began with Śiva as consciousness. The Guru Gītā exists in versions of 182, 216, and 352 verses. Swāmījī removed unnecessary verses about āsana benefits and directions. Trust in Gurudev removes fear of planets, evil eye, and black magic. Doubt and depression are normal in discipleship. Transformation is painful, like the wasp and the worm. The wasp is the Guru; initiation is the sting; satsaṅg is the repeated sound. Secret knowledge means only the brave who dive deep can see the ocean floor. Pārvatī asks Śiva on Kailāśa to explain the Guru, and the Guru Gītā begins.
"Real guru for you is your guru. And you have respect for all other gurus."
"Only those who are able to hear that knowledge will hear that knowledge."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
