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Respect and save the trees and the Earth

A story illustrates impermanence and our duty to live harmoniously. A sādhu warned a farmer his ancient trees would be felled. The farmer doubted, believing them eternal, but they were soon destroyed. Nothing in this world is permanent, not even the deities who are subject to change. Our actions, like excessive taking from the earth, disrupt its balance and lead to loss. We must not assume things will last. Our role is to live peacefully, do good, and respect all life, including trees and the land. We can only perform our part with humility and kindness, without attachment to outcomes.

"Your old trees, now they will not live long."

"No one can give that; you are for everything. You can say many years, but one day you will die."

I always come to these different exercises. We have to come for our own sake. We still have one hour, and so we tell each other, "Very good, very good." There is a little story. Stories are one of the best things. From when we were little until we are old, we have this one story. Long ago, there was a big, beautiful forest—a very big forest. You could say it stretched from Germany to India, and from one side to the other, all beautiful forest. At that time, there were not so many humans. There were some yogīs somewhere, some people somewhere, and such nice, beautiful trees. It was like Strīlakṣmī. There was this beautiful forest, and all the trees were very beautiful. A sādhu, a yogī, was there. He had little cloth and a stick, and he was living peacefully, very good. He came there and saw a very good, elderly sādhu. Some people were there, working. The sādhu was standing there. His stick was gone. He was sitting, holding the stick only for walking. Then a farmer came. The farmer was sitting there, having dug three times near the river or a tree. He was an old man. He said, "A sādhu comes." He said, "Hello." The sādhu said, "Hello." And the sādhu said, "Your old trees, now they will not live long." The farmer said, "But, my God, for thousands and thousands of years, no one can kill them." The sādhu said, "Yes, I was also thinking that. But this tree, there is like this, our beautiful one, two, three... The sādhu, it will not remain anymore. They will kill your trees." The farmer said, "What are you telling, Bābājī, Mahārājjī, Swāmījī?" The sādhu said, "Okay, I know, but it will not remain here." The farmer said, "No, no... such a big tree, nothing can do." The sādhu said, "It’s okay, but I do pāṇḍey, and I see this will not remain, these trees." Then what happened? There were farmers. One farmer said, "This tree will not remain. It will be, somebody will do." So he said, "What?" That was a hunk, a strong man. He said, "How many years will he cut? Tell nobody." He said no. He had one friend. You are from your families, your brothers. But that is a friend of the ex. Tell this will do anything. Only this. So he went there, to the wood, and he went to the iron. His body was like this, but like this wood. This is my, our, we are my friend. We all said, "Don’t know who will can do what." And then what he did, this with iron and like this inside, and what he begins to do, yes. So all trees like this. All was gone in one, two years. Then this Bābājī was coming back from the other side. He said, "All this stock, this boat, fell, dried." These workers, he was sitting like this, all my cutting. He said, "I told you, this will not keep you. He will be killed." The farmer said, "Yes, I am so sure. I did not think that." And so, what happens? In your countries, what we call Yugoslavia, not only Yugoslavia, the whole of Europe, there was snow. Where is the snow and everything? And now, what is there here? Very little snow, and only like this. So, don’t think that I will do everything. It’s not possible. Or what we have, we have not done properly? But one property was okay. The second is okay. The third one will say something else. And so, our Vivek, he’s here, he’s not here. Vashant, the Vashant, he is making very good, and we think that we will have our ashram, or this will be. So, who can do what, when, and how? In the family, and so they are like, now in this Kali Yuga, humans are killing humans. Purījī, Purījī... Mahāprabhujī Karatā Mahāprabhujī Karatā. No, we are not killing us. We will give the jugs, all, every instrument. We are holding in our hands only this. This is this. If this would have happened, how Holy Mother was sitting, but she did not tell anybody. No, the next thing then was this. So that all was in that time, that’s it. So that’s why I am always thinking, every day, and twice something happens. There was, we put some kind of wood, and there were little animals or something, warm, and these worms are very, very little, nothing, and it is like this, and so big, three people we cannot hold the power, yes, and about five years it was, or four, three years. Mahāprabhujī Karatā, Mahāprabhujī Karatā. But those new people who came here, they took the wooden court, and they said, "This is very good because water comes, and that is this." I said, "Don’t do this." They said, "No, no, this is good." And then what happened? Then it also happened. How did that happen? This is very beautiful, beautiful. So, therefore, we should, in our country, in our ashram, and that’s why the government here, also the police and everyone, said we should not cut everything. We will make this and that. Yes, and that’s why our āśram is very good. You are all sitting under this tree, and this tree is now, how can we feel it? So, we should always say, "Mother, in this tree." Always, when we come, we sit, one hand, that’s enough. And when we go away, just put the hand. It means respecting everything is there. So we are not only yogīs or sādhus, we are only ourselves, and we are doing this and that. We are not only. We do not know. We will not be. It is said, it is said Śiva, it is all the Brahmā, it is the Viṣṇu. They said, "Can you give us that my life will be forever and ever?" Vishnu, Shiva, anyone said no. No one can give that; you are for everything. You can say many years, but one day you will die. So, even though it is said Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, etc., Brahma, Vishnu, and all like this, they are not anymore. They are gone, but they are changing always. Yes, Śiva, Viṣṇu, Brahmā, and they are all changing. So you know that in many stories you saw, when the one time comes, Viṣṇu is there, and Śiva was just on the, like a friend, or something like this. It is turning everything, and so are we. How far will we go if we can? Then, if we have, then this sky, very much today, now nothing, and the thing, and the thing, what is there? You are that, you are yes, and the rest, what is coming? Having this, so any time, once it will come, everything. We don’t want, we don’t want, but it can be that one day this earth, this earth will go down. Then we are all sitting and eating and everything. When this water goes down, down, we will not remain. Animals and everything, and all this, it will go. And that, why? Because how much we have taken from the earth, and how we have done this, and now it will happen where it is, very much. And when they take the cut, the many things, this earth, and take this thing, what do they do? They open, and water goes in. So when water is inside, then it is like a balance, but it is not a balance. So one day, that will be many years, it will be, "Let’s go out," or we know it can be just duck, duck the bus. We are all here, and we should live here and really be good, do good things. This land, the Kangs, they were, and they keep all, how it is like this. This is like that, so no water goes in. And when it is going under, all the dirty water goes out, and like this, only this water is coming here from this side into this land. Here, since we have this, we don’t have dirty things, meat, alcohol, and many things. We have only what we can do. Of course, we are eating, and we are coming, and we are coming, and we are going. So, in this way, like that tree, he was thinking that it cannot be, and one person came, a very thin person, and had this one egg. The earth will go like this, like this. What is that? And what is that? Because some others are cooking us. We, I know, Europe is very good, and I’m really, I live very good. Of course, India is also there. In India, they will not come, not when something happens, otherwise, they do not kick or kill anyone, and like this. And here also, there is nobody killing here, in this language, in this code. But something can happen, and this happens, which is not good like that. So, what we should do is pray, and our prayer is to God, and God can be this tree. We know she can be here. It is. So, long ago, I gave one lecture. I lecture very much, and something happened. It can happen, and it did happen. Reality happened. I was there. I came to... it was Austria. So anyhow, there, I came, and people came. They liked very much to have a yogī and exercises and yogīs. And where was one house like this? And after three or four days, someone from the church came and told them they were not going inside. No one was there. I was sitting there, and one of my disciples had come to lecture me, because I was not learning other languages, only this one. And nobody came. The door is open, but nobody comes. I said, "What is that?" Next day, it was locked. And so why? Because I am Hindu, Indian, here. Why does he want us? So I said this, now you know that you will go all. One day, the other side will also come. So why is it like this? It is like this. So, very... it is still that we know, this country and this country, and there, how it is. Still, we are not like this. We are on this side, going like this, you know, da da... da, yeah, dig dig... dig, yeah. So, therefore, you came, and now it was a long time, and welcoming, coming, and many—it is many people, of course. Still, they are, for me, they are like, "What is he doing? What, dude? Anybody?" Of course, it doesn’t matter. So, we have to live. We have to live what? In all good things. And we are going many times, and many, many—now many sādhus and many others are coming. And you know, three or four times we were in India, and we went into the Himalayas. It’s very nice, and come like this. So, it will come and go. What is that? This water comes, sometimes very clear, or other times the water is very, not clear, very nice. Yes, yes. Therefore, we can only do our part; we are peaceful, harmless, etc. But many are looking, eyes looking like this, seated they are here, and the eyes are going like that. There are people in the world. So, my dears, I tell you, you are very humble, very good, and you are giving something, and I do not take anything from you, and I do not take you otherwise. But we are in heart in the peace and humans. How we, the humans. Humans means that no animals are eating, kidding like this. See how you are. That’s it. So that was the story. It came to me from this one tree, and how it came just like this, very nicely. So in this, we should be humble and kind, and of course, if you like, you like. If you like, you like. Many people go back again, okay, no problem. And many, many people went to other countries—America, Australia, New Zealand—and my bhaktas are there. They went here because, at that time, how was it here? So they are there, they are many, many, very nice. So, in the divine way, please, when you see all trees, just touch them, and you can go. In the park, in every city or village, here we, all our people, are very happy and good, taking our this. This is a very great thing, very great. So this is our earth and our forest. Our forest, and that’s why all countries everywhere, they make, but only this little, only the houses here. Otherwise, everybody came one here and one here and one here, then nobody let them go. They only, in their land, only that much. Siddha Purījī, Śrī Dīp Nārāyaṇa, Śrī Mādhavānanda Purījī, Siddha Purījī, Siddha... Purījī. Jai Mādhavānandajī. Bhagavān kī jai. Satya Sanātana Dharma kī jai. Now, I always said, tomorrow we will do. But I do, all the time. Tomorrow, definitely, you will give yourself half an hour or one hour. Our friends, even in the language, there was somebody who saw me from the books, you know, they made my book, and like this, that’s it. So, I would please, only we will be, only. And this, we will sit again like this there. How do you have problems in the body? Some have them normally, and others have different ones. And in that, it is like this: our stomachs. And why in this side? Why in this side? Why is it this? What to do? And many don’t know, they only go to the doctors, and the doctor gives injections or they give some. But they do not give some massage like this, yes. Just a little, and then after a little bit, like this, and then from both sides, three points, and it comes to the navel. Navel, this is that, and many things happen to everybody, so that’s why some are vomiting, some have pain all over here on the side, but how to do it? And I told someone the day before yesterday, and he said, "Really, I feel very good, my stomach and my body." Yes, that, and so he is now better, eating, working, everything, and there is nothing else. No, there is only a little difference in our stomach, everything else. Like this. That is very, very good. And we will tomorrow. These people, please, you know, told you should come. They are, they are about 100 people, or the other maybe 50 people, or they will come, or they have already become good. This is very good, very, very good. So that’s why we practice yoga, but the practice is about how we are doing it. Today, somebody, someone told me, "I came a little later, but I came for this point." See, it doesn’t matter who was there, how to do it, or what happens, or anything like that. So this is that yoga, so that we can do such exercises, and therefore there are some people, young and dense, okay? Yes, you can go this, but what happens like this? This is the part here, the body, and of course in the centers like this, the whole body is like this, everything, everything. So if we can do that, that’s why it is said yoga. Otherwise, this injection, that injection, that... Injection, all okay. Doctors are okay. It should be very good. And without doctors, we cannot do anything. Yes. So there is a... But our yoga disciples, you don’t know that they are really, they ask our people first, "Please, you do something like this and that." Really, it is very good. It’s a very good day. So how can we do? So, there are two or three points to save. So first we can sit, and two, only our stomach. How it is, and the same point that everybody will do. And now it’s good that your food is empty, okay? Is your stomach empty, yeah? Yeah, so that is very, very good. Just relax. Yes, very nicely. As you like to feel comfortable. Relax, relax. If you want your eyes open, no problem. If your eyes close, also good. If you cannot lie down on your back, then turn to the other side. It is their body. We know all, and what you do, I will also be looking and doing, okay? Yeah, so, take exercise here a bit, but maybe someone’s hand is touching another hand, please don’t say anything. And now, on the right foot, the first thumb, on your navel, you can leave it with your dress, no problem, or if you like it, directly, it’s okay. But you should very nicely, in the middle of your navel, and now think if your navel is exactly in the middle of your navel. And take your hand out again. Relax. What I am telling you, this is for us, for our whole body. Not lying, lying dead, but very relaxed. And now, from the left thumb, try also. And place your hand down, and now bring both legs up. Your foot should be on the floor with a little support. And see, just think about your navel. Just think that you are very comfortable. Both of my legs are good, and my feet are on the floor. Now, see yourself. If your knob is good, no problems. Then, relax your legs straight. Hands to the side. And those who do not have this, that state like this, your legs both open like this. So, you are at the navel there, your knees are straight like this, now bend them. Who has navel problems, something? So the hand that is open is at your navel. You still have it? Good. So those who have your navel, hold your knee, both knees. Yes. If you have any problem, press your knees to your chest. And your legs are straight. And we will do all so that everybody can do it, whether you have troubles or no troubles or something. So, both legs together, hands on your knees. Hold both your legs very nicely. Honestly, look very good. Try to see your thighs, and these thighs will bring further to your body. And all we will do: left, right, roll your body. Very good, and straighten your legs. And now again, bend your knees, yes, and hold your knees and roll left, right, yes. One after. Yes, ten seconds. And lie down on your stomach, and relax comfortably as you like. And now, hold your legs back with both hands. Hold both legs, then let your hands go. Keep your legs straight, and now roll yourself, either left or right. And get up. We will see this afternoon how it will be. Okay? So perhaps we will have a little bhajan, and then we will do some good exercise, but I will take the people who have stomach issues, what you had, only we will be there. And others, you practice. Okay? We will do something, and others will maybe sing bhajans, or they will practice something; we will see.

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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