Advice for practicing pranayama
True sādhanā is devotion from the heart, not mere ritual or fleeting emotion. The Pāṇḍavas failed to invite a ṛṣi for their yajña by citing their lack of performed sacrifices. Draupadī succeeded by declaring that each barefoot step taken toward a sage is itself a hundred yajñas, demonstrating the power of sincere reverence. Similarly, an unlearned brother who held only to God's name could walk on water through devotion, while his scholarly brother could not. Success comes from inner feeling, not external knowledge. Even the science of breath, prāṇāyāma, must be understood and practiced correctly from the heart, not just mechanically. Its purpose is to connect with the universal prāṇa that sustains all life.
"Each and every step taken toward sādhus or ṛṣis is equivalent to one hundred yajñas."
"Your mantras have no power, but you... you have this power that exists nowhere else in the world."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
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Healing of humanity
Healing arises from sound, respect, and living naturally. Mental illness creates imbalance in all aspects of life. Mass media reaches many, but true influence requires positive thinking and respect, not ego. Self-respect is social education reflected in clean appearance and considerate behavior to honor others; this is not ego. True healing returns to natural origins through mantra, yajña, and the resonance of sound described in the Vedas. Harmonious sound, or nāda, connects all hearts and heals nature, animals, and humans. Discordant modern noise causes suffering and disharmony. Sustainability requires ancient, natural systems. Positive thinking and truth dispel inner darkness. Each person must awaken their human qualities through good society and education. Begin each day affirming your humanity and the wish for all to be happy.
"Self-respect is that social education. You give others good behavior so that you are respecting."
"Nāda is that resonance... when it is a resonance which is uniting, connecting heart to heart... that sound is called Brahman."
Filming location: London, UK
Christmas with Swamiji in Vienna
We celebrate the arrival of Jesus, a festival of peace, love, and unity. The world needs light, both physical and the divine light of wisdom within every being. Since organized religion began, division has followed, unlike the universal, indivisible consciousness of Sanātana Dharma. Human greed creates ownership and mental pollution, which is more dangerous than physical waste. Before a bomb destroys others, it destroys itself; similarly, negative thoughts first harm the one who holds them. We are called not to judge, but to forgive and to hate the sin, not the sinner. Modern celebrations have become materialistic and polluting, especially with single-use plastics, which now seem immortal. The true gift is non-material, offered openly without harmful packaging. Our spiritual duty is selfless service, to pass on immortal wisdom. A true disciple, like Jesus, endures suffering without abandoning principle to deliver a divine message. We must write and share immortal wisdom through devotion and trust.
"Forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."
"We hate the sin, but not the sinner."
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
Around the world - Surya Namaskar, Zagreb, CRO
Surya Namaskāra integrates posture, cakra concentration, and mantra for holistic purification. This classical yoga sequence is best performed at sunrise or sunset, honoring the sun as a life-giving deity. The practice involves precise physical movements, each linked to a specific cakra and breath. Quality is paramount: perfect the movement, maintain relaxation, focus on the cakra, and know the mantra. This complete structure yields the benefits. Daily practice makes one's being like the sun, purifying the atmosphere so negativity cannot take hold. Correct alignment prevents injury; the spine must remain straight during forward and backward bends. Concentration involves feeling each cakra's location and qualities. Integrating silent or spoken mantras with movement and breath deepens the effect, working on the body, cakras, and consciousness.
"Anything thrown toward the sun either gets burned or, if it is dust, merely falls into your own eyes."
"My photograph, my image, is the sun. Whenever you wish to see me, look at the sun."
Filming location: Zagreb, Croatia
Do not waste your human life
Dharma is the path of righteousness, while adharma is its opposite. We each have a personal duty to follow. Jealousy and ego divert us from this path. Dharma protects those who protect it. In the Mahabharata, Arjuna was conflicted about fighting his family, but Krishna instructed him to uphold dharma by opposing adharma. Divine incarnations occur to restore dharma when evil prevails. The current Kali Yuga is still early; a time will come when dharma nearly vanishes. Human birth is a rare blessing after passing through millions of life forms. What we do with this life determines our future. Four blessings are essential: divine grace, scripture, the Guru, and self-effort. The Guru's grace is paramount, guiding and protecting, but we must take the initiative. We must follow the Guru's instruction without logic, as the Guru sees past, present, and future. Calm the mind and let thoughts pass without engaging them. Cultivate contentment and avoid greed. Students should embody five qualities: the crow's determination, the crane's concentration, the dog's alert sleep, eating little, and living away from home for discipline. Be in the company of truth, satsang, which brings lasting happiness. Fulfill your duty to yourself first, then to others. Do not give up; the Guru protects the disciple eternally. Perform selfless service without desire for recognition. Surrender fully. Do not dwell on the past or future; reside in the present. Use the tools given—mantra, meditation, satsang—to attain inner peace.
"Dharma rakṣati rakṣitaḥ." He who protects dharma, dharma protects him.
"Karma karte ro, phal kī cintā mat karo." Perform your duty; do not worry about the result.
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
