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The Light of Yoga in Slovenia

A documentary on the origins and growth of the Yoga in Daily Life system in Slovenia.

"Ever since I first met my teacher, my life has shifted towards spiritual experiences and a healthy, positive way of living."

"The most important spiritual principle of yoga is ahiṃsā, non-violence, in thoughts, words, and actions."

The film traces the arrival of Paramahamsa Svāmījī Mahēśvarānanda in Slovenia, beginning with his 1988 meeting with early disciples Jože and Zlatka Gal. It details the global spread of his Yoga in Daily Life system, its scientific recognition, and its structured programs for health and spiritual development. The narrative highlights the system's humanitarian projects and its core mission of fostering personal well-being and world peace, culminating in Slovenia hosting a World Peace Summit.

Filming location: Ljubljana, Maribor, various locations, Slovenia

Twenty years ago, the yoga teacher, His Holiness Viśvaguru Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara Paramahaṃsa Svāmījī Mahēśvarānanda, brought the science of yoga to Slovenia. The Slovenian couple, Mr. Jože Gal and his esteemed wife Zlatka, first met Svāmījī in 1988 at the Poštarski dom, a beautiful excursion spot in Igorska on Pohorje. As Mr. Gal says, "Ever since I first met my teacher, my life has shifted towards spiritual experiences and a healthy, positive way of living." At that time, the light of yoga in everyday life was kindled in Pohorje, spreading throughout all of Slovenia. The science of yoga was discovered by Indian sages and passed on to humanity for the benefit of the entire planet and the fulfillment of human life. The system of Yoga in Daily Life is the science of the body, mind, and consciousness. Its goal is physical, mental, social, and spiritual health; the protection of the environment and all beings; world peace; tolerance, respect, and understanding among species, nations, and cultures; as well as spiritual development and the realization of God. Svāmījī comes from Rajasthan in India and is the successor of the spiritual lineage of Siddha Pīṭha Paramparā from the Himalayas, which they represent: Śrī Alakh Purījī, Śrī Dev Purījī, Śrī Mahāprabhujī, Hindu Dharmasamrāṭ Paramahaṃsa Śrī Mādhavānandajī. Svāmījī came to Europe in 1970 and chose Vienna, Austria, as his permanent seat. From there, based on official invitations, he traveled all across Europe, especially in the so-called former communist countries, where he today has numerous disciples and practitioners within the framework of Yoga in Daily Life. He also received invitations from various countries in Europe and other parts of the world: from Australia, the United States of America, Canada, Africa, and New Zealand. Svāmījī’s teachings and the system of Yoga in Daily Life were soon recognized as a scientific system. This is now studied in more than 35,000 places around the world. Svāmījī also leads numerous other projects, among which the central one is an important and beautiful building of the intercultural center, constructed in the form of the sacred Sanskrit symbol Oṃ. There, numerous humanitarian projects take place, including primary, secondary, and higher schools that provide free education to children from impoverished families; a cowshed; an animal shelter; a huge rainwater collector, which is the work of human hands; an advanced school of yoga; and many others. In the last 20 years, more than 50,000 people have begun practicing the system of Yoga in Daily Life, organized by 11 associations across Slovenia. In 1997, the Federation of Yoga Societies of Slovenia was established, which is a member of the international umbrella organization International Śrī Deep Mādhavānanda Āśrama Fellowship. All organizations hold an international license to teach yoga according to the system of Yoga in Daily Life. The practice is led by experienced yoga teachers who have passed the examination of the International Association of the Yoga in Daily Life system. The weekly practice is organized by semesters and is conducted weekly in eight levels. All levels include physical exercises, breathing, relaxation, and meditation techniques, which are described in detail in the book Yoga in Daily Life. Those who proceed gradually and according to their abilities advance to higher stages. The Yoga in Daily Life system is ancient wisdom shaped for the present time. According to it, it is possible to practice regardless of age, culture, religion, or profession. Within the system, special exercises and programs have been developed, for example: Yoga for the spine, for the joints, for high blood pressure, for diabetics, for smokers; Yoga for businesspeople, for mothers and children, and for pregnant women. In various parts of Slovenia, free yoga practice is also taking place in parks and on beaches. The goal of regular and specialized practice is to enable as many people as possible to practice in accordance with their diverse mental and physical capacities. In Slovenia, Yoga in Daily Life has spread from the capital city Ljubljana, as well as from Maribor, Koper, Novo mesto, Nova Gorica, Kranj, Celje, Škofja Loka, Domžale, Ribnica, and Postojna to all parts of the country. Alongside the practice groups, yoga centers organize various educational programs, spiritual gatherings (satsangs), and above all, concrete humanitarian projects for all those who wish to do something good for themselves, for local communities, and for all living beings on our planet. That is precisely why the system of Yoga in Daily Life is valued and trusted, both locally and nationally in Slovenia and around the world. The most important spiritual principle of yoga is ahiṃsā, non-violence, in thoughts, words, and actions. This principle applies to the individual and to the entire world, which is why Svāmījī publicly strives for world peace by organizing global peace conferences attended by the highest representatives of various faiths, beliefs, countries, and nations. In 2006, Slovenia had the honor of hosting the fifth World Peace Summit at Cankarjev dom. The theme of the conference was "Peace is in Your Hands." Svāmījī’s visit to Slovenia in May 2008 is dedicated to spiritual awakening for world peace, for only we humans are capable of consciously cultivating the values of giving, understanding, and forgiveness, and above all, of giving meaning to our lives through service.

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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