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Yoga is very ancient. According to the teachings of Yoga in Daily Life, and after researching the entire universe—not merely this planet—I have come to this understanding: yoga is that principle which unites space and consciousness. That space we call the universe is known as Brahman, and it is endless. We do not know its beginning or its end. This space is filled with universal consciousness. Therefore, we do not say "consciousness universal," but rather "universal consciousness." The universe is like the body of a mother, a mother's womb, and the consciousness within it is like an embryo. This is called the golden egg, the golden embryo: Hiraṇyagarbha. The balance that maintains perfect equilibrium between these two is called yoga. When there is perfect balance between the mother's health, the mother's body, and that new embryo—that fruit—then it grows into completeness, healthily. Where there is balance, there is harmony. Thus, another definition of yoga is harmony. Finally, the third definition, which is most commonly given, is uniting or union. So, yoga means a balancing principle. The manifestation of this balance is harmony, and the result of harmony is unity. Here, unity signifies the union of the individual self (jīvātmā) with the cosmic self (Paramātmā). Between the individual self and the cosmic self exist many obstacles, found nowhere else in the universe but within you. Your negative thinking, your negative talking, your negative qualities—anger, jealousy, hatred, complexes, greed, doubts, vikṣepas, kleśas, prapañca. These are your personal problems; they are a problem for nobody else. You have nothing to do with anyone. After death, everything is finished. Therefore, at present, everything you think and everything that disturbs you is merely bubbles on water. These bubbles have no real relation to you. You cannot even touch them; as soon as you try, they burst. Yet these bubbles create a negative fantasy that disturbs you day and night. You suffer in the fire of negative things. You project your own picture onto the unreality of that bubble; you see your own reflection on its surface. But that is your ignorance. And so, between the unity of the individual and cosmic self, there are many obstacles that only you, and you alone, can remove. Ask yourself very honestly, with a pure heart and pure consciousness, and ask God: "God, what will become of me? What will happen to me?" The answer lies within yourself. Therefore, only you can help. Three days ago, a young mother held her child with both hands. The child stood up but did not stretch its legs. The mother kept lifting the child like this because the child did not want to stand, and so she put the child down again. Similarly, the master tries to pull you up, but you remain like this—paralyzed. So what is to be done? Your physical problems, your emotional problems—everything is a projection from your mind. That is all. Thus, yoga means a uniting principle, harmonizing and balancing. In the entire universe, all visible and invisible elements are balanced by that one divine principle, and that is called yoga. And from that consciousness, when there is balance, harmony, and union, then the fourth stage takes place: creation. As God Kṛṣṇa said, "From time to time I manifest myself here through my yoga māyā." Here, māyā means power—yoga śakti. Therefore, it means that all these exercises and what you are doing is not, in its essence, yoga. This is merely an attempt to be healthy and relaxed, and to somehow obtain a certification that, yes, you are something. Through torturing your body, twisting it, and placing it in particular postures, you will not attain liberation unless you change your inner attitude. Recording location: Czech Republic, Strilky, Summer seminar