Podcast details
Theory and practice
The peril of mere intellectual theory is that it creates hollow argumentation, not devotion.
Theory has destroyed many, making them empty-headed and dead-hearted. In contrast, a devotee knows only love and surrender. As one develops theoretical knowledge, one tends to criticize and argue more. A story illustrates this: a master sent his disciple to study philosophy. The disciple returned highly educated and began constantly arguing with his master about rituals. While walking, they saw an ox turning an oil mill with a bell around its neck. The disciple asked why the bell was there. The master explained it signals the ox is working. The disciple then asked what if the ox just stood still and moved its head to ring the bell. The master replied the ox didn't study in Kāśī; if it tried that, its master's bamboo stick would correct it. Reading many books makes the mind restless with information. Knowing historical dates, for instance, only feeds the ego. If you want to achieve real knowledge, you must practice. Without practice, there is nothing.
"Lord, I don't know anything. I know one thing: I love you, that you are in each and every atom of my body."
"As much as you read books, that much your mind becomes restless."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
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:
- Yoga in Daily Life - The System
Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda. Ibera Verlag, Vienna, 2000. ISBN 978-3-85052-000-3 - The Hidden Power in Humans - Chakras and Kundalini
Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda. Ibera Verlag, Vienna, 2004. ISBN 978-3-85052-197-0 - Lila Amrit - The Divine Life of Sri Mahaprabhuji
Paramhans Swami Madhavananda. Int. Sri Deep Madhavananda Ashram Fellowship, Vienna, 1998. ISBN 3-85052-104-4
