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The Role of Yoga in the Modern World

A spiritual discourse on applying yoga and universal principles to modern life.

"Yoga means not only exercises. What you are doing at home, taking care of your family, working for your family, educating your children... all is yoga."

"Therefore, it is a time to look into the world with a positive look, positive thoughts, and positive feelings, and we shall avoid any kind of negative thoughts, selfish thoughts, thoughts of greediness."

A spiritual teacher addresses a gathering, weaving together themes of nonviolence, modern technology, and conscious living. He argues against weapon production and corrupt practices, emphasizing the law of karma and the subconscious impact of symbols. The talk expands the definition of yoga beyond physical practice to include selfless work, advocates for interfaith harmony, and concludes with practical advice on diet, prayer, and spiritual practice.

Filming location: Humenne, Slovakia

Yoga in life is active throughout the world, engaged in many activities for the protection of animals, the protection of the environment, to bring peace to humans, to provide good education, and to bring clarity. The aim is that, without discrimination, we shall respect and have mutual understanding for everyone's feelings and beliefs so we can live in a peaceful world. We are now living in what we call the age of technology. Through this electronic media and technology, the whole world has become a small village. We know everything and have the opportunities and facilities to travel anywhere, anytime—something that was not so easy in the past. Furthermore, many political situations in the world are better than in the past. We have what is called democracy, and politicians around the world do their best to develop their countries and maintain international relations. But politicians cannot do it alone; they need the support of the people, the support of the citizens. We also have cultural and religious support, which is very important. In a democratic way, we get rights for everyone in every aspect. In this time, we humans have developed many good things: technology, many facilities, and comfortable living. The standard of living is much better now than in the past. This hall where we are sitting was built for the comfort of this city's citizens through the work of mayors and politicians. It doesn't matter who made this hall, but we can sit here comfortably without feeling cold or being disturbed by creatures like mosquitoes and flies. Therefore, we should not blame modern technology; it has made our lives more comfortable and easier. Of course, if you use it in the right way, it is very good, but if you misuse it, then it is not good. We shall appreciate this development that humans have achieved. Everything has its good benefits, but there are also some negative results. Weapons and chemical things are, I think, a mistake we are still making. We should not develop or produce chemicals, and we should also not produce weapons. We should not manufacture weapons. The thoughts of nonviolence, myšlienky nenásilia, apply not only in a physical way but also in a mental way. For example, nonviolence has been preached for many centuries, decades, ages—thousands and thousands of years. A simple form of nonviolence is "thou shalt not kill." If I believe in nonviolence in the form of "thou shalt not kill," then we should not produce weapons. A weapon factory might say, "We don't kill; we are only producing the weapons." But for what purpose are you producing the weapons? These weapons are for killing. So, either you kill or you give them into someone's hands to kill—it is the same thing. Everyone talks about security, nonviolence, protection, and sustainable development for humans, but at the same time, they are providing weapons. Weapons are not only for hunting animals, which one also should not do, but it is very clear: weapons are meant to kill humans. In one way, we are fighting for world peace, fighting for our well-being, spreading nonviolence and the thought "thou shalt not kill," and "love thy neighbor." These are all teachings of the Upaniṣads and Vedas. It is Vedic dharma. Mahātmā Gandhi's favorite song said that believers in God are those who know the pain of others. They are real spiritual people, real religious people, real God's people. The greatness is that you know the pain of others. We know very well what pain means ourselves; we need not explain what pain is. But if someone else is injured and has pain—physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, social, political, material—there are many different kinds of pain. Do you understand that? If you see yourself in others, then you can understand. Corruption is going on around the world. If you give money, they will do work for you. That is a hiṁsā; it is the opposite of ahiṁsā. You don't feel the pain of the other one, the one who should give money. Even a poor person has worked hard, and you have enough money. You are not starving, but you want more money and you engage in corruption. But the law of karma, the cosmic law, will come back to you. Mostly, people who take part in corruption suffer more illness, more family troubles; their children become spoiled and their family is destroyed. Children go in the wrong direction, abusing drugs, alcohol, and so on. Do you see the result? Therefore, it is said that you should know what you can digest. What does "digest" mean? Do you know that what you are taking has a bad effect on yourself and your family? Corrupted people are happy when they get, and they learn only to take. "T" to take, "G" to give—two letters: T and G. T means to take, and G means to give. So you take the karma, and if you give, then you give the karma. They are both good: take good karma and give good karma. So it has a balance. But you know that a saw cuts in both directions in the wood. Therefore, all these weapons in the world are, directly or indirectly, present in the subconsciousness. The thoughts are there—not of money, but of killing. Also, now Christmas is coming, and already all the toys for Christmas are in the market. Do not give your children any toys with weapons. Maybe it's only plastic, or maybe it's in the form of chocolate or anything, because subconsciously it has no good impression. The form of that weapon—maybe a knife, maybe a gun—has no good effect on the children's subconscious. Also, there is some chocolate in the form of a shell. That's not good to eat. Don't buy these chocolates, because unconsciously you are eating that, though it's only chocolate. But don't think it's only that. No, no, no. It's not only. It's a form of that animal, and when you are grown, you will eat them. That's not good. People are producing soy in the form of [animal] shapes. That's not good. You are again putting it subconsciously in their mind. It doesn't matter who makes this from soybeans or vegetarian ingredients; these shaped foods, don't buy them. We have to avoid even the symbol of those negative things. Don't put it in your subconsciousness. Therefore, it is very, very important that we should know what we are doing and with which intentions we are doing it. So, it is a time to look into the world with a positive look, positive thoughts, and positive feelings, and we shall avoid any kind of negative thoughts, selfish thoughts, thoughts of greediness. Your life is in your hands, your future is in your hands. And a great plus point we have is that we do believe. We believe there is Ātmā, we believe there is Jīvātmā, and we believe there is God. Everyone has a different approach to God. Good, that's very good. What a beauty. Once an American lady asked Mahatma Gandhi, "Gandhījī, why in India are there so many goddesses?" Gandhījī said, "Yes, that's beauty. If you have a beautiful park and there is only one kind of flower, it's boring. But if you have more flowers with different colors and different kinds, oh, beautiful—a beautiful flora exhibition." So let them feel how they feel. Every mother is the best mother. So, which mother is not a good mother? Every child says, "My mother is the best mother." It does not mean that only your mother is the best, but a mother is a mother. That's it. Follow your mother. That's it. So it is said very clearly that, finally, "Guru Kṛpāhi Kevalam," "Mokṣamūlam Guru Kṛpā." Only that, Gurudev is the way to Brahman. What is written in the Bible? Study carefully: Jesus was known as a master, not a God. And Jesus himself declared, "I am only the Son of God." This is said in the Vedas and Upaniṣads: we are the essence of that God, all, every entity. Viśvaprāṇī merī ātmā hai. All entities on this planet are my ātmā. Ātmā soi paramātmā, and that ātmā is the paramātmā. Therefore, we are all daughters and sons of God. So he was correct that he is also, like me, a son of God. But he was accepted as a master, a guru. Mostly, he had twelve disciples. In English, it's "disciple"; in Hindi, it's a śiṣya; and in their language, it was called "apostle." So the master, Guru Vakya, is saying to the disciples, "Only I am the way to God," which is 100% truth. So the Gurudev is the way to God. Follow my words, and that's how we understand. You shall try to understand the words, everything. So his words are truth. But we don't understand, and what he said is already said in the Upaniṣads and Vedas. What he did is the best thing: he repeated it all again once more. He reminded us. So, then, where do we make a difference between religions? There is no difference. The difference is in our mind. And that's why we are suffering and fighting. You should believe how you believe. Celebrate God how you celebrate God. No one is there to force you to do different things. Therefore, to work in the world for spirituality, to work in the world to protect human society, to protect the environment and all creatures, we have to come to great clarity. You cannot say only Kṛṣṇa. It would be wrong. Of course, if you love Kṛṣṇa, for you there is only Kṛṣṇa, okay? Every wife says, "Only my husband." Of course, your husband. Or every husband says, "Only my wife." Of course, he's true. Of course, his wife is only his wife. But all ladies are his mothers, sisters, and daughters. So when you love only your wife, it does not mean that no other ladies should exist anymore. You have to love them as your mother, you have to love them as your sisters, you have to love them as your daughters. Then the world is beautiful. So, without duality, without discrimination, we shall exist and follow the path and work. So yoga means not only exercises. What you are doing at home, taking care of your family, working for your family, educating your children, you going to school—all is yoga. You are teaching; your teacher teaching in this school is yoga. God Kṛṣṇa said to Arjuna, "Arjuna, nothing is impossible for me in the universe. Everything I can have, whatever I wish, but still I'm acting, I'm working. Because what I will do, others will do too." So even God was working. Who are we that we don't want to work? So we should work. And you are doing, so what you are doing are your positive things. So that's the message on this beautiful Sunday. Sunday is the day of God's Son, and you know, all prayers to God's Son. And it's a very, very ancient tradition. Every morning they used to, and still many people pray to the Sun. Most of the ladies, again. Without ladies, this world would be very boring. Without ladies, it's a garden without flowers. But without men, there's no garden to work in. So, women, their prayer is more deep, with very great beliefs. Every woman prays every morning for her husband and family, to protect the husband with good health, energy, and the whole family. And so also, men pray for their wives. You know, both hands cleanse together. One hand is difficult to clean, so both hands wash each other. So when the husband and wife have mutual understanding and harmony, then it's good. They take water in one pot, like a neti pot, kalaś, lotha. And when the sun is rising, they see the sun and they offer the water. And many go in the lake or in the rivers, take water in the hand, and make abhiṣek. And yogīs pay salutation to the sun, Sūrya Namaskāra. The sun has twelve names, and, you know, according to Sūrya Namaskār: Oṁ Bhānave Namaḥ. They are the twelve names of the sun. And when you offer this, with the same mantra, you get the light. That light is nourishment. If the sun were not shining, all these flowers would be just like a drop of water. The strength in your body, the strength in vegetation, is sun energy. Some call it light food, the sunlight food; that's very healthy. That's called organic food. What is not organic food is what you call junk food, fast food, which means that consciously you are feeding yourself with poison. The result you will see very soon. The good quality of organic food is that as long as you chew, it improves and develops more taste in the mouth. You even smell the good aroma of that food when you eat it. And with junk food, as long as you chew, you will feel like vomiting. So you will see people who eat junk food quickly swallow it because there is nothing to chew, nothing to bite. Quickly, quickly, they go on. And healthy food, you need to chew it. They say the food you should drink and the water you should chew. So it means drink water also slowly, and chew your food so long until, with your own hormones from the mouth, the enzymes mix and it becomes liquid. In India, we say the work of the teeth doesn't give you indigestion. And that's why God gave you teeth—they are the first to work for your stomach. Eat slowly. Concentrate on it, and with thankfulness. So the light, energy from the sun, and when you wash yourself, you touch the water for the first time and say, "Thank you, God." And you feel the water on your body. Thank you, Lord. Can you imagine your life without water? Our planet is nothing without water, and who can provide us water? Only God. Thank you, God. And then the sunlight, the warmth—it doesn't matter if the sun is warm or if it's artificial warmth; it is the imitation of the sunlight. But God gave us all five elements in the body, and these are living elements. And in your house, there should also be five living elements at all times: space, earth, water, light, fire. So it means you must always have some nice flame in your house. It's called agni. All the time, we used to cook with wood and coal. You had beautiful ovens, old, old farmers' ovens. They are beautiful. Fire is the symbol of the God Viṣṇu, and ash is the symbol of Lakṣmī, and that you should put on your head. You know, you have once a year in Christianity, one Wednesday, you call it Ash Wednesday. Everybody puts ash on their forehead. That tilak is very important, that we unite and we understand. But it is not like religion; it is the life system. That's what we need every day. So, you know when there are clouds and rain and fog all the time... Now, November will come, and December. Oh God. The sun rises at nearly 8:30, 9 o'clock. By 3 o'clock in the afternoon it is dark. And then one day, the sun is shining, and you say, "Oh, beautiful day. Sun is life." That's our life, that's energy, the nourishment. Also the moon. That's why Kṛṣṇa also says, "I enter into the vegetation as through the moonlight, as a nectar, that essence of life." So both moon and sun are very important. So, yogīs have to think many things, and not only doing physical exercises and then finishing. And you know, you came alone, and you will go alone. Finally, everything will remain here. But now you have the chance to gain something. We don't know where we will come from. When we close our eyes, finally... We don't want to die, but the soul goes. Consciousness goes with you. The mind goes with you. Feeling goes with you, like when you go and dream, sleeping here in Humenné, and in dreaming you are in Bratislava. You see everything, you go to a restaurant, you eat, you go shopping, everything you do, but in a dream. So, who was enjoying? Who was eating? Who was shopping? Similarly, when you renounce the physical body, you come to the other world. And you don't know where. Which door will you knock? There is no door, dark empty space. You don't even know where to fall. You are falling and falling and... falling, but where? Nothing. You don't like that, and you want to come back home. Don't make this mistake, because you can't come. The body is already finished, but you come with the astral body, and you knock on your door. My God, the children will say, "Father came as a ghost! Oh God, a ghost is here!" I will get a telephone call: "My father is knocking on the door." What will Svāmījī say? "No problem, open the door." And then you go to open the door, but before you open the door, he's already inside. "My son, my child." Oh God, you will die. From there, the ghost will hug you. So you see how selfish we are. Our relation is temporary. Only memory is there. We don't like that reality. Therefore, the truth will come out, and the truth of our actions, so our destiny. How many things we have to solve in this world before we are going? That's it. So, time is passing. And once more, I would like to say thank you to all organizers. And also, thank you for coming. I wish you a very comfortable and good journey. Some came from a far distance, and very soon it gets dark again. So have a good journey, come home well, and many blessings to all. Take care and practice your mantra, your āsanas, and your prāṇāyāmas. Now it's winter, so every day we go by train, by locomotive. Did you try this morning? Yeah, if you do, you will sleep very well. You supply a lot of oxygen to the body, so much. After, you have such pleasant feelings, very good. So, Dīp Thayam Bhagavān Kī, Devī Śvaramādhī Bhagavān Kī, Dharma Samrāṭ Satguru Svāmī Madhvārnī Bhagavān Kī, Jai. Dear friends, dear yoga brothers and sisters, in the name of the Slovak Union Yoga in Daily Life and in the name of the organizers, I would like to thank you very much for coming here. Znalosti o bežnej anatómii získáme v škole. Ale ako sme teraz počuli, znalosti o anatómii vlastnej duše, vlastného života a života ako takého získáme len v prítomnosti svedka. To gain this knowledge is the sense and the duty of our lives. And you fulfill this dharma by coming here. Vy jste ozdobou tohto semináru a ještě raz vám z hlubokého srdce děkuji. And now, in your name and also in my name, I want to thank Svāmījī. Hovorí sa, že bez jeho vôle sa nepohne ani lístok na strome. He said that without His will, even a leaf will not move on the tree. And then I would like to thank him again for his words and the nectar he gave to us. And a bucket of flowers, and we all together express our deep thanks to him. A thousand times, thank you.

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

The text contains hyperlinks in bold to three authoritative books on yoga, written by humans, to clarify the context of the lecture:

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