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Part 1: A Christmas Greeting and the Jadan Ashram Project Siddhī, Nārāyaṇa, Bhagavān, Kījā, Śrī Ālāpurījī, Mahādeva, Kījā, Śrī Devaśvara, Mahādeva, Kījā, Śrī Mārakṛṣṇa, Bhagavān, Kījā, Viśva Guru Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara Paramahaṁsa Mahiśvarānandajī, Gurudeva, Kījā. Hari Om, dear brothers and sisters around the world, and special praṇām to Swāmījī, our Master. This webcast is coming to you from the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria. Just for your information, tonight we had minus 16 degrees. It is the coldest day of the year. In the Vienna Woods, there is about a 20-centimeter festival, the festival of light, for when Jesus Christ, an avatar, is born. So, we want to sing for you first a Christmas song. It is about the Christmas tree, and the camera will go to the Christmas tree. Anyhow, we will now sing this very beautiful song, "O Tannenbaum." O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, how green are your leaves. You are not only green in summer, but also in winter when it snows. Oh, fir tree, oh, fir tree,... I like you very much. The sound of you makes me happy, Tannenbaum... I hope you liked this beautiful song. Today, I will begin to speak about the Jadan Ashram, Om Ashram, the biggest project and the life work of Swamiji. This is a large ashram in Rajasthan, North India. For those who do not know me, my name is Sadvishanti, and I have been with Swamiji for 30 years, practicing yoga in daily life. For some years—for 14 years—we have been working on one special project in this ashram in Jhadan: a hospital project. This area is rural, and there are not many possibilities for ill people to get good medical treatment. Last year, the hospital construction was finished, and we started operations on the 18th of November. The hospital is now running. The name of the hospital is the Sri Swami Madhavānanda Austria Hospital. Sri Swami Madhavānanda is the master of Viśva Guru Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara Paramahaṁsa Svāmī Māheśvarānanda. It is dedicated to him. Our center here in Vienna is also dedicated to Gurujī, which is a short name for Swami Madhavānanda. We chose the date for the opening of the hospital without much thought; we simply said it would be on the 18th. Then I heard that Gurujī’s ashram was also opened on the 18th of November. For me, this means Holy Gurujī’s blessings are there as well as here in this ashram. Today I will also try to speak about the Aum Śrī Alagpurījī Siddhārth Pitā Guru Paramparā, meaning our master lineage, because Swāmījī is in this lineage. His master was Swami Mādhavānanda. The master of Śrī Mādhavānanda was Śrī Mahāprabhujī. The master of Holy Gurujī was Śrī Dev Purījī, and the master of Śrī Dev Purījī was Alak Purījī. Please, you do not have to know this by heart. I mention it to convey that the original yoga system is not given through books; it is transmitted from master to disciple. The light of one master is given to his best disciple, whom he chooses to be the next master. Our lineage extends from Rajasthan to the top of the Himalayas, the area in the north of India on the border to Tibet. In the region between Badrinath and Kedarnath, it is said that Śrī Alāpurījī was there, probably at the same time as Bābājī. They were, in a way, connected and are in direct connection to Śiva. You could say they are the first disciples of Śiva. It is directly from Śiva that Śrī Alāpurījī receives his blessings. During this hour, I will show a very special photo I took in Śrī Devpurījī’s cave, where you can see how Alak Purījī gave the light to his disciple Śrī Devpurījī. Now I return to the hospital, which is under the blessings of the entire Guru Paramparā. Without the blessings of a master, you cannot achieve anything. We started in Austria 14 years ago, trying to gather donations for the hospital. This year, on the 18th of November, it began with a dental department. I was a dentist, so this was very interesting for me. I did not choose dentistry; Mahāprabhujī and Gurujī chose it for me. For me, it did not matter with which department we would start; we simply had to begin. We now have a very good dentist and a good team there. Interestingly, the dentist's name is Dr. Abhishek. Abhishek means the highest pūjā you can offer to Lord Śiva (or other deities). It is the biggest pūjā, typically lasting an hour or longer, where the statue is purified, washed, and decorated in a special way. So, the first doctors opening this hospital were Dr. Abhishek and Shanti. Śānti means peace. I believe this is also very special. We quickly started an eye camp. In our area of Rajasthan, many people have eye problems, perhaps due to circumstances, food, or other factors. You must also know that people in India do not have health insurance, unlike in Europe and many other parts of the world. There are government hospitals where people with little money can go, but even there they must pay for consultations and medicines. As a tourist in India, you might not see what is truly happening in rural areas. A camp means one or several doctors come to treat and consult people, providing medicines free of charge. Our first camp was guided by an eye doctor. In one day, over about six hours, 400 people came. The doctor saw 400 patients, performed 25 operations for free, and provided free medicines. This doctor operated on patients from 8:30 at night until 4 o’clock in the morning. I believe there are saints who are not necessarily in orange robes; there are many people who perform seva in a very beautiful and admirable way. Because of this connection with the doctor, we realized the eye problem is very significant in Rajasthan, and we want to establish a dedicated eye operation theater. I wanted to learn more about how people live in the villages, so I visited three families. The first was a farmer with his wife and three children. I spoke with the lady through a translator, asking about her circumstances. She told me they live from one cow, earning 250 rupees per day—about 3.3 euros for five people. For comparison, my tram ride in Vienna today cost about five euros for a round trip. I asked if they received clothes or other support. She said during marriages, children can help and get some money. The government in India is trying very hard to help with poverty and health, doing a great job providing many possibilities. There is an activity called BPL (Below Poverty Line), where people get free food. She sends her children once a day for a meal, so they have at least one complete meal daily. One of the most interesting moments was when I asked her, as I asked all three families, "What is your biggest problem?" Without much thought, she smiled and said, "I don’t have a problem. I have my family. I do my work in the family." Returning to Europe—with no disrespect, as I am European myself—here, people often say, "I don’t have time," or "This is not right." We often do not realize how much we have. I am very happy and thankful to Swamiji for the work I now do in India, which allows me to see beneath the surface. It is our good chance to do something for these people. Of course, we cannot change the world or politics, but we can take the next step in our environment. As yoga practitioners, our environment is everything that Swamījī encompasses. This rural area of Rajasthan truly needs help. Interestingly, the day before I returned to Europe, both of my glasses broke. I said, "Very interesting." I did not initially intend to visit the doctor who conducted the camp again—Dr. Goyal from Pali—but I needed new glasses, so I had to go. When I met him, we spoke, and he said, "Do you know something? That is why I went there. That is why, my Prabhujī, let my glasses break, so I would come to him." He told me that half of the elderly people in Rajasthan who need an eye operation go blind because they cannot afford it. Can you imagine? They cannot afford the operation, so they become blind. I asked him, "How much does an operation cost?" He said around 2,000 rupees, approximately 30 euros. To all people sitting here in Vienna, consider how one trip to the supermarket costs at least more than 30 euros. I was completely shocked. Thirty euros is really not much. To be blind—I think losing two legs is not as terrible as losing two eyes. Anyone who has had eye problems knows how precious eyesight is. Of all the senses, it is the most important. To be blind means lifelong dependence on others, which is not easy for anyone. During the camp, I took some photos. I took only one photo of a blind woman, and I nearly cried when I saw her eyes. So this evening, allow me to make an appeal to you. Please, if you can and wish to help, give the light of eyes to people in Rajasthan. If you can donate for an eye operation, it costs only 30 euros per operation. You can see the account numbers of the hospital and the website under the picture in the webcast, by the orange line. I thank you in advance. Now I come to a completely different subject. I have a broad topic, so I can only touch on pieces briefly. One of the great masters in our lineage is Śrīdev Purījī, an incarnation of Śiva. He received the light of knowledge and the blessings of Alakpurījī in the high mountains of Uttarañcal near Svarga Rohiṇī. Svarga Rohini is a round place about 5,500 meters high. It is the place where Yudhiṣṭhira entered heaven. You may know the story from the Mahābhārata, when the five Pāṇḍavas were on their way to heaven. On that journey, four of the five Pāṇḍavas died, and only Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by his dog, reached heaven. This is that place. Before it, there is a holy lake, Satopan, said to be a pilgrimage site where Brahmā, Śiva, and Viṣṇu still bathe. There are many interesting and beautiful experiences there. Last year I had special experiences at Satopan, and this year Śrī Devpurījī or Śrī Alakpurījī gave me special experiences as well, in the area of his cave and another place. I was there in September. From Badrinath, a Viṣṇu pilgrimage place, you must travel about 25 kilometers to an altitude of 4,200 meters. The way is not easy, with many stones and glaciers. This year, when I reached Satopan at the end of September, I could not find anyone to guide me to Sūryakuṇḍ, the location of Devpurījī’s cave (we saw it last year, and I hope we have a video soon). No one would guide me because they were afraid; it was already very cold. The Nepali porters and guides said they were too afraid because the glaciers are melting, you must traverse them, and snow could fall, potentially preventing return. But where there is a will, there is a way. Make your decision with firm resolve and all your power, and success will be yours. This has always been my motto. So, it did not matter if someone guided me or not; I knew I would go to Śrīdev Puruṣa’s cave. I also wanted to take pictures. I asked Swamiji, "What do you want me to bring? A stone? The whole cave?" He said, "Make some beautiful pictures of the surroundings." That was my message, and I said, "Okay, I will go." From Nepal, I found no one willing, as they were afraid, married, with children, and concerned about the risk of death. However, one sādhu I met last year finally agreed to guide me. We started late in the morning—surprisingly, he would guide me. We began at one o’clock, lunchtime, which was very late. The journey is only about 10 kilometers but very difficult, and we needed to return the same day. It took us about three hours to get there. You must know the place is like a pot formed by melting glaciers—a very large one. You enter not on a flat path but from the top of a mountain, going inside and down. When we entered, I heard voices. I am a spiritual person, but I am not crazy, so do not think this is fantasy. The voices were like honey, like bees. Part 2: A Mystical Journey to the Cave of Śrī Devpurījī I heard a sound, like bees, but there was no one there. It was as if bees were present. When I entered this place, Sūrya Kuṇḍ, the name of Śrī Devpurījī was spoken very clearly. I heard it three times. I entered, but we were so concentrated on what would happen there, and I wanted to go to the cave to take pictures, that I found it all normal. I heard this and that, and then I went. It became later and later. Then I came to the cave and took photos of the surroundings. When I arrived at the cave, it was the exact moment the sunlight was going down. I took two pictures. When you see these pictures, you will understand. I had to come at precisely this time because of these pictures; no other time of day would have produced them. I hope you can see it. For me, it is a picture of light. The light goes to the cave, and it is as if Śrī Alāpurījī gives the light to Śrī Devpurījī. That is what it was for me. When I saw this, I said, "That is why I had to come at this moment," even though it was late and nobody goes there at that time. For me, it is a blessing. I will show a few pictures. Here you can see Satopanth Lake, this holy lake with crystal-clear green water, where Brahmā, Śiva, and Viṣṇu are said to bathe even now. Everyone who comes there takes a holy bath. The cave of Śrī Devapurījī is far away, and we will go there now. Here you can see Svarga Rohiṇī. It is in the background, between two mountains. You see the glacier. I hope you can see in the middle of the background; there are about seven steps. Are these the seven steps to heaven? This is the place where Yudhiṣṭhira entered heaven in his physical body. Down below, you see a brownish triangle; that is Sūryakuṇḍ. We are coming now from the direction of the photo. We have to go through all these stones, then go to the top, and then go down. Then we are in Sūryakuṇḍ. This cave is very near to Svarga Rohiṇī. Here you see we are already inside the Kuṇḍ. You see the area now, and the cave is just in front of you. I will show you the cave itself. That is the cave. Last year when we were here, we made signs: "Yoga in Daily Life" and Swāmījī’s name, so anyone can find it easily. The entrance to the cave: if you see the Om, go to the right side, and then you see a little entrance. That is the actual entrance of the cave. This cave reminds me of Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna. It is like a horse; the rock has the form of a horse, and Kṛṣṇa is the god there. So, to me, it is a reminder. The next picture is what I told you about. You can see very clearly that light is coming and flowing directly. The left side is the cave. For me, it is like Alak Purījī giving light to Śrī Dev Purījī. I hope you can see this. It was very special. The story does not end there. After finishing the photos, I went back. From a far distance, I saw somebody walking near the rocks on the other side. You must know, in this area, nobody is there. It is completely deserted because it is too dangerous at this time of year. This person, a young man, disappeared. When I went back down... we wanted to go back. In the middle of the kuṇḍ, there is usually water, but now there is not enough water; there is only sand inside, maybe one meter deep. When there is no water, there is sand. I was going there, and then a sādhu said, "Look." There was a footprint. I am skeptical, so I said, "Maybe it is my footprint from before." It was very cold, so I had made a big round in the kuṇḍ and passed there. I thought, "Maybe it is my footprint." Purposely, I put my foot beside this footprint. My footprint was much bigger than the smaller one, and the footprint of the sādhu is bigger than mine. So it was a footprint from... I do not know. We did not see that young man anymore. He disappeared. Perhaps Swāmījī will tell me who it was. It was somebody who gave us a darśan, and there was this footprint. You can believe me, I did not take a picture because I think one should not photograph such things. But I definitely saw the footprint. Whatever it is, I cannot say; I do not know. It was very mystical. As we were going out, I heard these voices again, but I could not understand clearly. Something with an 'M', but I did not understand what it was. Finally, we went back in the darkness, but everything was okay. This was about Śrī Dev Purījī’s cave. I can tell you, whoever goes to search for something from our guru paramparā will be blessed. Anywhere—if you go to the āśram, to satsaṅg, everywhere—you do not have to go to the Himalayas. When you go to Jadon, everywhere the masters have placed their footprint, you will receive a blessing. Therefore, wherever you make a footstep towards the master, you will always receive a gift. But I think the most important thing is that you are humble, that you have a pure heart, and no expectation. That is the main thing. If you have this, they will bless you. Another thing I wanted to tell you, because I was writing about Śrī Alakpurījī. For me, Śrī Alakpurījī is very near. In a way, I have the feeling he called me there. I had the opportunity to spend one week in a cave near Alakpurī. Alakpurī is a very high mountain, maybe 6,000 meters. I was at the base, about 3,500 meters, in a cave. I had someone to take care of me with cooking and so on. The Alaknanda River is near there. From Alakapurī, one part of the Alaknanda River comes. You can hear the connection: Alakapurī, Alaknanda River, and Śrī Alakapurījī. This mountain, Alakapurī, is said to be the seat of Kubera, the king of the yakṣas. It is a very special area. I was there for eight days and had a very intensive meditation week with seven to eight hours of meditation daily. I was not very satisfied with myself because it is not easy to meditate so long. I had a two to three hour break at lunch, and I went very high up on Alakpurī. You know, some messages come in a very normal way. For example, you can be in a tram, take two big steps, and fall down. Then you understand: in life, you should not take two big steps. You should take small steps. Then you will not fall down. Simple things can have great importance if you learn to see their meaning. I went up, and it was really tough. Patañjali loves tough things. It was the steepest mountain I have ever climbed. I wanted to go to the top. I was going step by step. When I looked down, it was so steep that I became dizzy. If I had looked down longer, I would have fallen down completely. If I looked up, I also became nearly dizzy because I did not know where the path was. It was impossible to see very high up. That was also not good. I was walking on a small step, so I made step by step by step. Finally, I stopped on one rock. I said, "Now I will not go further. This is just too long, too high; it is enough." I could not even sit anywhere. I wanted to meditate, but it was not possible because it was so steep. Only afterwards did I realize how important this message was. It is like Swāmījī teaches. It means: always live in the present. That is the main thing. If you look back—that is where I came from—when I looked down, I felt so dizzy I would have fallen. So, never look to the past. Leave the past. Whatever was in the past is the past; you cannot change it. It was your destiny. What you can change is only in the present moment: your action, your thinking. Everything is only in the present moment. So, it means to take step by step in the present moment and nothing else. Even if you look to the future, that is also not good because you do not know anything. So, looking to the future is not advisable. What we have to do is be fully in the present moment, try to be in the center of ourself, and just be present. Then the present is a gift. That was a very big lesson for me. Of course, I knew one should live in the present, but this was a practical experience on the mountain. Alakpurī gave me this message. Even though I was not satisfied with my meditation that week, I saw afterwards what consequences it had for me. I was meditating mostly with a Guru Mantra. Afterwards, I was very surprised because it came by Ajapa; it was going all the time by itself. I hope it will remain longer. Of course, when you are busy in the world, it is not so much. But that was an effect; it was running and running for a longer time afterwards. Another thing I felt was that I changed myself towards more clarity. Since that time, I feel I do not make so many compromises. I go very straight and very clear on my way. I know this is a blessing of Alakpurī, who gave me this blessing on that mountain. I also have interesting news. Just a few days ago, I had a stress test. A doctor gave me a measuring instrument to wear for 24 hours. It was on a belt on my body, measuring brain waves, frequency, ECG, muscle tension, and phases like sleepiness. They are doing scientific work, and he chose me for this examination. The interesting thing is they see everything: if you are joyful, tired—it shows in muscle tension or brain waves. They can tell immediately what is affecting you: walking, speaking on the telephone, eating, sleeping. All this can be measured: pulse, brain waves, ECG. I tried to do everything normally that day. I also went Nordic walking. He said the ECG was "a disaster" because of so many waves, but very good. I am now nearly 66. He said for 66, I am really very good. This is only thanks to Yoga in Daily Life. The most interesting thing was that I meditated. I did some prāṇāyāma in the morning and meditated later for only 20 or 25 minutes. He said, "You see here, at this moment when you were meditating, you had the best result. You were so concentrated that the whole brain had maximum blood circulation during this time." You can see exactly on a curve that it went up. This was the best of the whole day. Whatever I did—speaking, walking, sleeping, resting, talking—the one moment where my brain functions were at their peak was during meditation. That is why, dear Swāmījī, we are very grateful to you for giving us the opportunity to practice Yoga in Daily Life. Even though I was not satisfied with that meditation because it was not so long, it means if your brain circulation is much better, you are regenerating, recovering, becoming younger. The brain is the center of the whole body system: the respiratory center, all physical centers. If the brain has better blood flow, all your systems are healthier. I was very surprised, and he was also surprised. Swāmījī for sure is not surprised. I will try to bring this data to show you. I just wanted to tell you that Yoga in Daily Life is very systematic and beautiful, but we have to practice; that is the main thing. If we practice, we will change and become more and more human. We will more and more know what human nature is and behave like humans: do good, be good, think good. That is what Swāmījī teaches us. Finally, I want to remind you about the eye clinic we want to establish. We want to have an operation theater. Please visit our website: www.helphospital.org. You can find the donations under the orange line under the picture. I thank you very much for your attention. Remember, 30 euros can give life quality to people; otherwise, they can become blind. Thank you very, very much for being here. Much love and light to all of you, and especially to Swāmījī. Greetings from Vienna Āśram from all your bhaktas. I am happy we could be together today. I wish you a happy Christmas and a happy New Year, all the best. Finally, we will sing for you. Please sing with us the most holy song of Christmas: "Stille Nacht, Silent Night." Om Nityānandaṁ Bhagavānakī Jaya, Śrī Alakpurījī Madhuvakī Jaya, Śrī Mādhavakṛṣṇa Bhagavānakī Jaya, Viśvagurū Mā Maṇḍaleśvara Paramahaṁsa Svāmījī Śrī Yogānandajī Gurudevakī Jaya, Satsaṅga Tandrā Maṅgalaṁ, Oṁ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ.