Around the world - Practice in Ukraine
Begin the practice of āsanas, prāṇāyāma, and meditation. Close the eyes and attune to the practice. Scan and relax the entire body. Observe the complete yogic breath. The first āsana is Ānanda Āsana, the posture of relaxation. Lie down comfortably and consciously relax each part of the body. Physical relaxation leads to spiritual relaxation. This posture must be performed at the beginning and end of every session. Next, train in abdominal breathing by placing a hand on the abdomen and observing its movement. Conscious abdominal breathing leads to relaxation and improves circulation. Practice stretching the body by extending the limbs in rhythm with the breath. This releases accumulated tension. Perform head turns and twists while lying down to increase spinal mobility and harmonize the breath. Always observe the effect of each exercise. Move through shoulder exercises while standing to relax and strengthen the joints. Shift body weight from leg to leg to strengthen muscles and improve balance. Conclude by returning to Ānanda Āsana. Scan the body and observe the deepening relaxation. Gradually conclude the practice by moving the fingers and toes. Rise carefully, always moving from lying down through a transitional seated position.
"Physical relaxation leads to spiritual relaxation."
"Conscious abdominal breathing leads to physical and spiritual relaxation."
Filming location: UK
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You Need Strength
Yoga is the universal path for human health, harmony, and happiness, serving all creatures. It is the most ancient divine work, described in the Vedas, designed to remove negative energy and elevate consciousness. All divine incarnations and saints realized divinity through yogic techniques like meditation, prayer, and universal love. To believe in and know God are yogic principles. Religions later developed from the teachings of saints, but yoga existed before any were named. All religions aim for the one God and contain yogic techniques. The practice leads to self-realization by freeing one from negative karma. Actions are your choice, but their results are your unchangeable destiny. Desire causes trouble and illness. The path requires tolerance, respect, understanding, trust, and harmony. Support the young generation and live with love, helping others and practicing conscious renunciation. Work to harmonize with all, respecting every place of worship and removing ego. Practice leads to happiness and the merging of individual consciousness into the cosmic.
"Karma is in your hands; you can do what you want. It is your decision. But the result, the fruit of your action, is not in your hands."
"Tolerance for T, respect for R, U for understanding, T again for trust in God, and H for harmony. That is the truth."
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
DVD 491
Be humble
A reminder on the spiritual path and perseverance.
Today marks a sacred observance, prompting reflection on the teachings and grace received. The journey requires humble application of the guidance given. Challenges arise not from the path itself but from the ego's resistance. A story illustrates this: a horse repeatedly turned back toward comfort, requiring firm, patient redirection. After consistent effort, the resistance diminished. The spiritual quest mirrors this; the mind seeks familiar comforts and creates doubt. Firm conviction and trust in the guidance overcome these points of resistance. Perseverance establishes a new relationship with the mind, making the path easier. The teachings explicitly advise against discouragement, postponement, and surrender to obstacles. The path laid before devotees is precious. One must not abandon what has been started. Awareness is required to maintain progress and not destroy what is being built. Focus must remain on the essential spiritual jewels: the Guru, the lineage, practice, service, and fellowship. The devotee's role is to remain devoted, and grace handles the rest.
"Do not give up what you have already started. There will always be obstacles in the way, just like roses always have thorns. Remove those obstacles."
"Complete your tasks immediately. Do not postpone them until tomorrow. Realize your good intentions now, because one moment is never like the next."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
Build your intellect supportive
A clear aim is essential to prevent the intellect from becoming a destructive distraction. Without a definite purpose, the mind wavers among endless possibilities, changing direction with every new suggestion. This lack of clarity makes one susceptible to external influences and gossip, which act like poison, spoiling spiritual practice as lemon curdles milk. Negative talk and jealousy introduce destructive thoughts that can damage years of spiritual effort. One must therefore cultivate an intensive, unwavering aim and avoid all sources of negative influence. Protect your consciousness from harmful information that creates doubt and disturbs your peace. Spiritual progress requires guarding the mind and maintaining humility, allowing the intellect to become a supportive tool rather than an obstacle.
"Your aim must be very clear, intensive, and good. Nothing should be able to change you."
"One stupid thought, one stupid person, can destroy all your spiritual sādhanā."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
DVD 180a
The value of Satsang
The great mantra Hari Om reveals the unity of sound, form, and the divine. The syllable Om contains the three tattvas of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva. Viṣṇu resides upon the thousand-headed Śeṣanāga, who supports the earth. From primordial emptiness arose the resonance of Om, from which the deities manifested. Human pride in science ignores how extraction destabilizes the earth, which rests precariously. Spiritual practice is essential, yet ego and vice can persist even after millennia of austerity, as shown in a parable. The story of the ṛṣis Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha demonstrates that a single minute of true satsaṅg holds more power than 72,000 years of solitary sādhanā. All philosophies distill to the law of karma: actions return as their own fruit. Therefore, purify consciousness through diligent practice and righteous living, avoiding harm to all beings.
"Are you blind? You don’t see the judgment? For one minute of satsaṅg, the whole earth raised up, and when it was 72,000 sādhanās, that was not moving."
"If you give pleasant to all... you will get the sukha. If you are giving troubles to others, you will also get a trouble."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
