How can we go on the path of spirituality?
The essence of human life and the spiritual path is revealed through sacred tradition. Human birth is rare and granted intellect and free will within a limited time. The purpose is to realize the divine Self, the all-pervasive ātmā identical in all beings. This realization ends suffering. The Guru is essential, considered greater than God for the seeker. The path requires balancing worldly duties with spiritual practice. Foundational disciplines like purity in diet and conduct are necessary. The eight limbs of Yoga provide the structure, beginning with ethical restraints and observances, not merely physical postures. True progress involves inward withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and ultimately union. Devotion progresses through stages of listening, remembrance, and surrender. The final knowledge stages involve merging one's consciousness with the Guru's, achieving complete detachment from all worldly objects and identifications. The journey is one road with many names, culminating in liberation.
"If there is someone greater than God, then he is the guru."
"That which liberates you is called vidyā."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
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A Gathering of Hearts
A gathering reflects the unity and discipline of spiritual practice. The seminar was peaceful, with everyone practicing love and devotion. Organizers worked tirelessly to create this opportunity. Participants came from many places, yet nationality was irrelevant. The focus was on shared humanity. Spirituality means purity, kindness, humbleness, non-violence, and respect. It involves prayer and meditation to purify the inner self. All five elements exist within the body. Life is given to live happily and peacefully. Yoga is union and walking one's own path without competition. It is about bringing human to human through kindness and respect. This creates oneness. The expansion of practice is through humility and friendship, not through claiming superiority.
"Spirituality is purity, kindness, humbleness, ahiṃsā, and respect."
"Yoga is union. What is the union? We are oneness."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
On Shiva Purana Katha
Life presents two paths: one of the world and one to God. The worldly path, introduced by family and society, leads to suffering. The spiritual path, called Parmārth or Satsaṅg, leads to true bliss and God. Only the Sadguru introduces one to the world's creator, a truth we often overlook. We acknowledge a maker for human artifacts like cloth, yet seldom consider the divine creator behind mountains, rivers, and stars. Meeting such a Guru requires the accumulated merit of many lifetimes. This connection ultimately guides one to God, the source of bliss, away from the world's sorrow.
"The only one who brings us to God is the Sadguru Dev."
"The world is a form of sorrow. God is a form of true bliss."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
Morning practice from Strilky
Today's practice is Vajrāsana, Bhāvan Muktā Āsana, and Marjari with breathwork.
We follow the sequence from the book, omitting the lying-down part due to space.
Begin with hands crossed above the head, lower slowly.
Place straight hands in front, palms facing up.
Inhale, bring fingers to the shoulders, elbows forward.
Exhale, extend the arms to the front.
Repeat this breath-linked movement multiple times.
Sit in Vajrāsana, then straighten the legs.
For Bhāvan Muktā Āsana, sit with straight back and relaxed shoulders.
Inhale, bring the right knee to the chest.
Exhale, forehead toward the knee, hold above the knee.
Remain for four breaths, then release.
Repeat with the left leg.
Bring the tailbone toward the heels, hold the knee, straighten the leg.
Place the foot on the thigh, hold the toes.
Perform Marjari with breath, moving up and down.
Then practice bārikhāṭu with mantra: count one, two, three, then four, five, seven through nineteen, twenty-four to twenty-seven.
Those in poor health sit aside.
"We will follow the sequence from the book, but we cannot do the part that requires lying down because there is not enough space for everyone."
"Stay in this position for only four breaths, then inhale and slowly relax your body."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
The Guru Paramparā and the Power of Devotion
The Guru Paramparā and the Power of Devotion
The Bhavānī Aṣṭakam reveals that all worldly relationships are mental modifications, and only the Divine Mother provides true movement and refuge. Śaṅkarācārya calls family ties vṛttis—thoughts, distractions. The devotee confesses knowing neither tantra, mantra, pūjā, nor yoga. Neither puṇya nor sacred places are known. The devotee is a doer of bad karma, indulged in bad company, with bad intellect, bad sight, and uncontrolled speech. No other deity is known—not Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva, Indra, Sūrya, or Candra. Only the Mother grants gati, movement forward. She is the sole refuge amid conflicts, enemies in water, sky, mountains, or forests. The devotee is weak, deaf, dumb, sick, and helpless. The story of Toṭakācārya demonstrates this devotion. Unable to understand or remember teachings, he wept by the river, praying to the Mother. Through pure-hearted faith, he received knowledge overnight and returned chanting a complex stotra for Śaṅkarācārya. Devotion with purity of heart and conscious mind brings grace. Without faith and devotion, nothing works.
"O Bhavānī, only you are mine."
"O Bhavānī, only you are the one who gives me the gati."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
