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Salutations to the cosmic light, the Lord of our hearts, omniscient and omnipresent. In His divine presence, dear brothers and sisters, good evening. Respected Deputy Mayor of Brisbane, Mr. David Finsliff, thank you for your kind words and for welcoming me to this beautiful city. Indeed, Brisbane is beautiful, surrounded by beautiful nature. God, or nature, has been very gracious to you, providing a fruitful soil, and no doubt such good people live here. Dear brothers and sisters, this weekend, this entire week, is dedicated to understanding something about our own life—the mystery of our existence and those hidden talents or powers about which we remain unaware. We live in a house containing a hidden treasure, yet we think we are poor and possess nothing. I wish to speak about Kuṇḍalinī and how everything began. This will also be the subject of yoga. Of course, yoga is primary; Kuṇḍalinī Yoga is one chapter of yoga. The ancient literature, among the oldest in humanity, is called the Vedas. "Veda" means knowledge. It is the science of the entire universe. Whatever we discover now is already written in the Vedas—all modern technology, everything founded or developed—it is all spoken of symbolically in a different way. It is said: "Ananta Brahmāṇḍa Sahasra Sūryas." From this point, I will begin. "Ananta Brahmāṇḍa" means the endless universe. We do not know where the universe begins or ends. "Anant" means beyond our limitations. "Sahasra Sūryas" refers to the thousands of solar systems within this universe. In the beginning, there was Śūnya Ākāśa—a completely empty, dark blue space. Within this resides the cosmic or universal consciousness. There is no empty space without that consciousness. This symbolizes two principles. The universe is the mother, the Śakti, the mother principle. That consciousness is like the child residing—not dormant—in the lap of the mother or in the mother’s womb, which we call Hiraṇya Garbha, the golden womb or egg. We are now in a time which, in the Eastern tradition and in Christianity, is associated with remembering God on Friday. It was called God Friday. Somehow, over time, for people who could not speak clearly, it became "Good Friday." It is not "Good Friday," but God Friday, to remember the day Lord Jesus was crucified. At the same time, we have the egg. This egg is again like the universe, and within the egg, what life is, is consciousness. That life does not die. You will not die. Jesus did not die; it was only the body, not that divine spirit. Space and consciousness are both balanced perfectly. Thus, there is a third principle: the balancing principle. That balancing power is called yoga. I do not know how old yoga is; you may guess. Yoga is not physical postures. Yoga is not a breath technique. Yoga is not meditation. Yoga is not relaxation. These are techniques to achieve perfect balance between body, mind, emotion, intellect, memory, and our thoughts. If there is an imbalance between body and mind, our life becomes complicated. Balance in our body functions, glandular systems, organs, circulation—everything is balanced. Who balances that? There must be some power invisible to our eyes, yet it is there. That balancing principle is yoga. Where there is balance, there is harmony. Therefore, to harmonize body, mind, consciousness, intellect, and emotion, we use certain exercises. Here, yoga means harmony, and where there is harmony, there is oneness or unity. Ultimately, as read in yoga texts, it is said yoga means union—specifically, the union of individual consciousness with cosmic consciousness. Our consciousness is part of that cosmic consciousness. Therefore, the practice of yoga means reunion, not just union, but reunion. In that endless space where cosmic consciousness resides, there is a fourth principle or tendency within that consciousness. It is called "eko’haṁ bahusyāmī"—"I am one, and now I will multiply myself." That tendency we call the willpower, the divine will. "God or divine, thy will be done." That divine will has no material desires like ours; it is different. Out of that will, when it awakens, they say creation occurs through sound, through resonance. In yoga, through meditation or achieving higher consciousness, they declare that sound is "Aum." You know of Aum; we will discuss it in detail over these five days. Aum is Nāda. In the Vedas, it is said: "Nāda Rūpa Parabrahma"—the form of the Supreme is sound. If you wish to know the form of God, that universal God or consciousness has no physical form like you, me, or other creatures; it is only sound resonance. That sound is everywhere throughout the universe. Every atom resonates with that eternal sound. Everything is created from that sound, meaning first the elements: Ākāśa, space. Within this Ākāśa, through that divine Śakti (power) in the consciousness—space, consciousness, and Śakti—the first element created is fire. Through that resonance, after fire comes air, then water, and the fourth is earth. Not only our planet but countless stars and thousands of solar systems are all created by one consciousness: cosmic consciousness. We are now on our planet, belonging to this solar system. On this planet, the creator—whom you may call God or Mother Nature—has created 8.4 million different creatures. It does not matter if you believe in Brahmā, a Holy Father, Mother Nature, or another principle. At least you should believe this: you are here today as a human. There are trees, mountains, and other creatures. At least believe this. These 8.4 million creatures are divided into three categories: jalatara (living in water), sthalatara (on earth), and nabhatara (in the air or space). In civilized, modern human systems, to protect boundaries, we have three armies: navy, ground force, and air force. All systems humans have developed originate from ancient thoughts. As the respected Deputy Mayor mentioned regarding the original people of this country, their culture, spirituality, and ceremonies are very high but, unfortunately, much knowledge is lost. Whatever remains, we must try to preserve; it is very important. Out of these 8.4 million creatures, one is the human. Scientists have now proven there are no different races; there is only one race: the human. So, I return to this point. Out of 8.4 million (chaurāsī lakh jīvajoon), one is human. This is one race. There is no difference between humans and other creatures from a higher level, for within them and within us is the same truth, the same light of God. Our great master used to say, "One in all and all in one." One moon reflects in every pond, river, ocean, and cup—wherever there is water, you see the moon. But there are not many moons in our solar system; there is only one. Similarly, the one God, one consciousness, one reality, one light is in every creature. Everyone is connected to that one. However, the human possesses a very powerful tool: the intellect. Human intellect can be developed endlessly. It can also be manipulated (buddhi), which is why human life can become more divine through education. We can educate birds, dogs, cats, and other creatures to a limit, but human intellect can be educated limitlessly and can be manipulated. For example, terrorists—I do not know whom you call a terrorist. When you speak to them, they will say, "Yes, there are many other terrorists, but not us." They do not accept it. Thieves, smugglers, mafias, or a person taking drugs—they lose the motivation for their life. Their buddhi, their intellect, becomes limited, narrow-minded, one-sided. In spirituality and religion, they become fanatic. Therefore, it is very important in life to educate ourselves with tolerance, respect, and understanding. These three points I presented at a conference organized at the United Nations building in New York in 2000, the millennium conference for spiritual and religious leaders. At subsequent conferences like Johannesburg and the Earth Charter, I gave these three points: understand, respect, and tolerate. Respect every culture. Understand every country’s situation. Tolerate every religion. Every child says, "My mother is the best mother in the world." Which mother is not the best? Every child says that. This is training, education. For me, education is not merely school, college, or university education. It is the education we receive from parents and friends—the knowledge that makes us human, that teaches us human qualities. When we know human qualities, we realize what it means to be human. The values of human life are these human qualities. When we know the values of human qualities, we can easily practice human rights. Otherwise, it is difficult to understand what human rights are, and many abuse them. The human body is unique. In Indian mythology, as well as in Tibetan and Buddhist traditions, it is said there is a cycle of rebirth and death. Through 8.4 million different creatures, consciousness develops. Buddha, after his enlightenment—before he was Prince Siddhartha, and after gaining enlightenment and knowledge (Buddhi), we call him Lord Buddha—said that upon enlightenment, he traveled through his past lives, from the stone, seeing how consciousness develops from the stone to human consciousness and higher consciousness. This is a circle, coming and going; we call it rebirth or reincarnation. In spiritual language, it is reincarnation; in normal language, rebirth. Now, again, I come to this point. Whether we believe in reincarnation or not does not change the truth. Dear brothers and sisters, truth cannot be changed. No philosophy, religion, mentality, culture, or nation can change the truth. Truth remains ever truth. That evidence never dies. That is called reincarnation. In modern language, we have the word "recycling." Do you believe in recycling? If you believe in recycling, then where is the problem believing in incarnation? Recycling is more apparent in the physical world, something one can see easily. But those who have that consciousness also see how the circle of life, reincarnation, comes and goes. Anant—endless. In this endless universe, on the waves of time, the individual is fluttering. Every individual has their destiny, and destiny is caused by the individual self. Kuṇḍalinī Yoga is the play of your destiny in your consciousness. Can we influence our destiny? Yes. How? If not, why? It is presented that we can change or influence our destiny. Destiny is a product of our actions, the fruits of our karma. Karma means whatever you do, you will get back. If you work in an office, you are paid at the month's end; that is payment for your work. If you believe this, you should also believe in karma. Where there is action, there is reaction. Where there is reaction, there is action. Action, reaction, action, reaction. Our life—we do not know if our life here is a reaction or an action. Many karmas, thoughts, and feelings toward religion, culture, and nation remain in the blood, passing generation to generation. One day, that blood begins to boil in the fire of revenge. This is one reason wars begin or civil wars exist—a kind of revenge in the blood. This can be purified and understood. That is the subject of Kuṇḍalinī Yoga. Out of 8.4 million creatures, one is human because the human possesses intellect. Within human consciousness, within the human body, immense power or hidden talents lie dormant. It is a pity we may die one day without realizing this. If we can realize it, it is certain that in this life our consciousness will merge into cosmic consciousness. It is a process: from the ocean, through the fire element (heat), steam rises. We call it steam just a few centimeters above. A little higher, we call it fog. Higher still, we call it clouds. Then rain—we no longer call it clouds, but rain, the drop. One drop again unites—the union power. About union power, I think our dear mayor knows what it means. One drop comes together, and we say, "Oh, a lot of water is flowing," becoming a creek, then a river. Ultimately, the river’s destination is the ocean. When the river merges into the ocean, we no longer call it a river; we say it is only ocean. If you see this circulation, it is exactly that: from cosmic consciousness, individual consciousness has separated onto different stations, levels, and names. Finally, we are now joined like a river, and we are very near. We hope no one will take this water before we unite with the ocean, taking it to the desert to be placed there again. Again, we do not know when we will come together. So, do not think you will immediately attain God-consciousness or be liberated after this life. Believing is good, but to check is better. We have to verify. Believing is good, but verification is better. Therefore, are we sure we will achieve this or not? We can only speak from practices realized and given by great saints. In every culture and tradition, there have been great holy men with such high consciousness. Now, the human body. I would like to present another picture. Do you have the pictures here? Yes? Thank you. Very good. We have thousands of different systems in the body. Because we are beginning with yoga and kuṇḍalinī, I have chosen this picture. In the human body, according to yoga, there are 72,000 nāḍīs. We have a slight problem with translation. We call it Nāḍī, which has no direct translation in English or other languages. "Nerve" is not Nāḍī; Nāḍī is different. Since we lack a translation, we call it "nerve." For example, in Australia, every third person practices yoga. One must not only be a practitioner of yoga in daily life; there are many different yoga practices. When you ask practitioners, "What do you practice?" they say, "I practice Haṭha Yoga." When you telephone a yoga center and ask if they have Haṭha Yoga classes, they say yes, but you may not actually practice Haṭha Yoga. Haṭha Yoga involves postures, breath techniques, relaxation, and a little meditation, but all these together are not Haṭha Yoga. Perhaps less than 1% of Australian yoga practitioners practice true Haṭha Yoga. Haṭha Yoga has six different techniques for body purification. When you tell people to practice these, they say, "No, no, I don’t want this," because it requires discipline. But they are beautiful and very good. If you have physical health problems, practicing Haṭha Yoga exercises will ensure you become healthy—but disciplined. Well, we come to this point: the nāḍīs. These 72,000 nāḍīs—only some are shown in this picture, not all. These nāḍīs, the 72,000 channels, form a channeling system that receives cosmic energy into the body. These nāḍīs are on the surface of our nerves and create energy centers. Consider the letter Y. The letter Y has two branches. From the bottom, there is one energy; up to where the branch divides, another energy; at the knot where the branches separate, another energy; each branch has different energy; and at the ends, different energy. This can be understood more easily as it is now common and famous in medical systems like acupuncture and acupressure. If you experience electro-acupuncture, the practitioner seeks the reflex zone. In Europe, we call it reflexology. The practitioner, using a needle connected to a monitor, finds the right energy point. When the correct point is touched, the needle on the monitor moves. If the point is missed, the needle does not move. That is the reflex zone, the reflex point where energy reflects—an energy center. Literally, that is a chakra. Likewise, there are 72,000 points in the body through which energy flows, and some of these points...