The moon and spirituality
The moon's phases guide spiritual practice toward completeness. Monday honors Śiva and the moon. The new moon, Amāvasyā, brings luck and symbolizes growth. A mantra declares all is complete, as creation comes from completeness. The full moon, Pūrṇimā, radiates special energy influencing consciousness, oceans, wildlife, and human emotions, causing restlessness or calm. Observing new and full moon days through fasting, prayer, and meditation harmonizes one's energy and health. These days are for spiritual focus, avoiding aggressive acts and tree-cutting. The moon's cycle connects to the body's subtle energies through Svara Yoga, aligning breath with cosmic rhythms. Mantras recited morning and night invoke divine protection and steer dreams toward the divine.
"Oṁ Pūrṇamadaḥ Pūrṇamidaṁ Pūrṇāt Pūrṇamudacyate. Pūrṇasya Pūrṇamādāya Pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate."
"Oh my Lord, every day, every night, please appear in my dreams."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
DVD 464
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Discipline in Yoga
Gurupurnima celebration with Vishwaguru Maheshwarananda, Om Ashram, Jadan, India. If we would like to achieve anything, discipline is very important. It is important in yoga sadhana as well. If someone doesn't follow the discipline, success will not come.
The mind is a cheater
The inner battle is governed by the polluted antaḥkaraṇa, making bhakti yoga the essential path in Kali Yuga.
The antaḥkaraṇa consists of four principles: manas, buddhi, citta, and ahaṁkāra. These are polluted by malā, vikṣepa, and āvaraṇa. The mind is particularly greedy, tempted, restless, and a thief; it is a reflection one cannot correct by cleaning the mirror. This restless mind governs the other principles and leads one astray. Impurities from countless lives persist as tenacious saṃskāras. Knowledge and dispassion can split these deep impressions. In this age, the destructive energy is strong. The only boat for crossing the ocean of existence is the repetition of the name and mantra through bhakti yoga.
"Mana lobhī, mana lalacī, mana cañcal, mana cor."
"Kali yuga kevala nāmādhāra, sumira sumira nara hoi bhava pāra."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
Dawn Meditation
A guided practice for relaxation and meditation.
Begin with physical stretches to prepare the body. Perform a breathing exercise called Bhastrikā for fifty-one cycles to become warm and refreshed. Then, close the eyes for a meditation. Withdraw from the external world and come to the inner space at the eyebrow center, the Cidākāśa. Visualize a dark blue sky and witness the dawn. See the sun rise completely, absorbing its energy of immortality. Feel the entire physical body and the breath. Conclude with chanting and warming the face with the hands.
"One is called Kapālabhāti, which involves only forceful exhalation."
"Visualize the dawn emerging from the dark night. See the dawn and wait until the sun rises."
Filming location: Prague, Czech Republic
Rainwater Harvesting
Water is life, especially in the desert, where monsoon rains are short and rare. To address a severe drought, a rainwater harvesting initiative was launched. The first step was building a large lake to capture monsoon rains, as groundwater had become too saline. This project uses traditional techniques and watershed management to create a sustainable model. A network of dams and canals directs rain toward the lake. When the rains finally come, the land soaks up the water, and the excess fills the reservoir, temporarily turning the desert green. This lake now serves all life. The initiative will be extended to other locations, providing water, employment, and health benefits. The ashram also provides a fire truck for emergency water supply, believing helping hands are most valuable. Support is needed to complete these humanitarian projects.
"Only those who live in a desert genuinely know that water is life."
"Helping hands have more value than folded hands."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
DVD 260
