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Prabodhi Kartāhi Kevalam, Om Śānti, Śānti, Śānti Hi. I have returned after twelve years. The last few years in America without Gurudev were extremely difficult. When the invitation to come here arrived, my heart suddenly began to dance. It is a truly beautiful time, and I am so grateful to be here. I visited the Kathu Hall and remembered that twenty-five years ago, on August 31, I received my mantra from Gurudev. Swami Gyaneshwar was also there for that mantra dīkṣā. I was in the Washington ashram when, one Thanksgiving Day, I received a call from Střílky saying Vishwa Gurujī would call. Gurū Dev called and asked if there was a family in Atlanta who wanted to start an ashram and if I would like to go help. I said, "Of course, yes." After a year, I went to Atlanta—specifically to Beaufort, about fifty kilometers outside the city. In October 1999, together with the family of Purohit Kailash, Dinesh Kailash G, and Dinesh G, and Kailash’s parents, Matajī Parvatījī and Rāmchandra Purohitjī (who were with Mahāprabhujī), we held our first yoga class. In their home, they have one of Mahāprabhujī’s shoes; Kailash’s brother has the other. I sometimes look at that shoe. We have been teaching yoga there since 1999, and it has been growing. We offer in-person and online classes, a teacher training program led by Kailashī, and a new, large retreat center with forests is being developed. When it is ready, I hope you all will come. We teach Yoga in Daily Life. In 1999, we were the only yoga in Beaufort; now there is much competition. But when people come to us and feel a resonance, they often say, "I’ve never experienced anything like this. Now I know what authentic yoga is." We offer something unique, precious, and special. We must value this gem, this diamond we have, and present it confidently. I hope our Yoga in Daily Life will shine everywhere. Śānti, Śānti, Śānti. Joining via modern technology, in the presence of our Divine Master, our Satguru Dev, we are living what is sung in the mantra. Our Guru Dev, Paramahaṁsa Maheśvarānanda, is perfect completeness. He is everything we search for in this universe. Every moment in His presence, we dive into His Divine Aura and receive wisdom found nowhere else. His teaching comes from Satya Yuga, from Śrī Alak Purījī—that perfection and completeness which fills the universe. That is where our spiritual steps are headed. We began like small children, often coming due to health issues, not fully understanding Gurudev or yogic spirituality. Over the years, blessed with His endless patience, we have taken small, imperfect steps forward on this 100% safe path. It is crucial not to stop. In turbulent times, if we pause, we must pray to our Satguru Dev to remain firmly on the path. For me, the most beautiful image is of a big tree in this garden, deeply rooted, surviving many storms. Similarly, we must stand firm despite life's inevitable challenges and waves. When the storm passes and the sun returns, it is time to take another step forward, every day, every hour, moving toward the aim to which our beloved Master directs us. I thank Him on my behalf and perhaps yours. I am an imperfect disciple; we make mistakes, are weak, and may disappoint Gurudev. I pray He remains patient and continues to lead us. Gurudev, thank you. Praṇām Gurudeve, Praṇām Hari Om, dear sisters and brothers. Vishwa Gurujī has asked me to speak again. I do not like to talk much, but since meeting him, he often puts me before people. I prefer to be in the woods, mountains, and nature. Once during an American satsaṅg, Viśva Gurujī said, "Be careful, watch for Amṛtāgā because she may go into her cave." He reminds me how precious and beautiful this human life is, even when it was so challenging I questioned being here. I used to tell myself, "Why live an ordinary life if your life is extraordinary?" That extraordinary life has brought many opportunities and meetings. Viśvagurujī once told me, "You have seen it all." I have been here for fifty-two years, lived in the Czech Republic and America, traveled the world, and experienced diverse cultures. Today, watching the children's program brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of my childhood in a small village, surrounded by a loving community of aunties, uncles, grandparents, and parents. Children were free, safe, loved, and raised in a dharmic way. I lived my first nineteen or twenty years like that. Later, I found myself in a wealthy, materialistic society with very different human relationships. I tried to fit in initially. It was a competitive place filled with fear—the complete opposite of what we experience here or what I saw with the children today. It was a good school for me. I asked Viśwa Gurujī why I was in America, a place I never wished to go. I realized I was probably put there to learn about humanity. When I met Viśvagurujī in 2007, received my mantra and name, I asked, "What does it mean? What should I do now?" He answered, "You should maintain dharma." Back then, I did not understand the word. Over the years, I learned that dharma is duty, the right thing to do. Viśvagurujī often speaks of the dharma of the body, family, society, and nature. The responsibility to do what is right exists everywhere. Through my many life experiences and upbringing—taught to help elders and respect their wisdom—I have always tried to do the right thing. In America, I learned that if you are over forty, you are considered old and your wisdom is not valued. Even while living in that different society, I have tried to act rightly, though I have not always succeeded. A verse from the Bhagavad Gītā often gives me strength: the real hero is the one who, even while doing the right thing, loses. I keep this in mind when facing situations in work, with people, or in teaching yoga—trying to do right even if I become the loser. Perhaps one more thing to share. My meeting with Viśwa Gurujī and starting the ashram is a very long story. I recall May 5th or 7th, 2007, when I flew to New Zealand to meet him. I didn't even know if I would meet him; my mission was just to pick up a book and return in two days. I spent about two and a half days with him in Wellington. When it was time to leave, I had a final satsaṅg with him. As he got up to rest and walked down a staircase, I stood behind him, watching. He coughed a little, and in that moment, I became very afraid for him, for his heart. A thought arose in me that I have never told him: "I would die for him to live. Please take my heart. If you need a heart, please take my heart." After knowing him for only two days, I offered my heart so that he could live. [A prayer is sung:] Nāma su māra pyāre, terā jana māra nāmita jāye. Terā jana māra nāmita jāye. Tuhārī kā nāma su māra pyāre. Tuhārī kā nāma su māra pyāre. Bāla paṇame manake lāṇame sukha dukha na idare. Jobana rasiyā. Dhanamān tu Harikā nāma sumara pyāre, terā channa mita jāye. Terā channa mamara na jāye, tuhārī kā nāma sumara pyāre. Bura ho, kharā garā me sokhara sunne bachana kare. Satama su mara pyare, hari ka nama su mara pyare. Tera jan maran naamita jaye, tuhari ka naam su mara pyare. Vrabhunai sumara, biti umara, kala yamare. Vrabhunai sumara, Ishwara, Ishwarika, nama sumara pyare. Suharika, Nāma sumāra pyāre, Jai Jai... J Ānanda Yogīrāj.