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I have often spoken about mantra initiation. A mantra is a spiritual word with two meanings. The first refers to positive spiritual energy. The second is the name of God, according to Vedic or Hindu tradition. It means the name of God. So, it does not matter which name you utter; God is God. Yet, it should be clear to you. We commonly have mantras like Śrī Devpurījī or Śrī Mahāprabhujī; there are many different kinds. There are mantras dedicated to the Holy Mother, known as tantric mantras. There is also the Gāyatrī Mantra, a very ancient mantra. Some say the entire Vedic wisdom emerged from the Gāyatrī Mantra, though we do not know if the Gāyatrī Mantra itself emerged from the Vedas. There are many good mantras, and also many black magic mantras. We have sāttvic, spiritual, divine mantras according to our spiritual lineages. Before one wishes to receive a mantra, one should read Līlā Amṛt, the biography of Mahāprabhujī, five times. Then you will understand what it means to receive a mantra and what the master means. It is not that I do not want to give you a mantra; I am born to give mantras. I would be the happiest person if I could give you a mantra, and you will receive one. But the question is: Do you understand what the mantra means? And do you understand what the Gurū means—the translator, the spiritual master? You should have only one spiritual master in your life. Even if that master is no longer living in physical form, never think, "My master has passed away; who will guide me?" The master's guidance will be with you always, in this life and in others. Neither the Gurū dies, nor does the disciple. This is merely a physical matter. Unless you understand what the mantra means, and unless you have clarity about religion—which means free thinking—the mantra is not good for you to take. It is okay; you can have a mantra, which is better than nothing. But what you wish to achieve can only be given, and that achievement can be realized when you have practiced systematically, have complete understanding, and possess surrendering devotion to the master and your mantra. You must not change the mantra again or take another master. Therefore, choose a master whom you like. Sanātana Dharma is the eternal religion. Sanātana Dharma means the universal principle. Love, happiness, contentment, freedom—these are universal principles. No one holds a copyright. The entire function of the universe, that is Sanātana. Sanātana means eternal from the very beginning; it is and always will be our relation to God, that God which has no name and no form, ātmā to ātmā. That is Sanātana. Sanātana means the truth; Sanātana means the beauty; Sanātana means the bliss; and Sanātana means pure consciousness. It is not connected to a particular religion because when Sanātana became clear to human intellect, none of these religions existed in the world. Sanātana Dharma is known as the living Dharma. There is a system of teaching from master to devotee, or master to student. You cannot drive a car, so you go to a teacher who instructs you. Now you are learning from the driving master; he is your master, and you are the disciple. He gives you the knowledge of how to drive, and in time you may also become a driving master. This process of imparting light and wisdom is the essence of Gurū and Sanātana. There are many spiritual masters in the world. But you should know the master's background, their spiritual lineage, and have clarity. It should reside in your consciousness. There are many self-made masters who say, "We do not need a master. Just follow me." Now he is a master, but he does not believe in other masters. That indicates something is wrong. As you know me, we always adore our spiritual lineage and our masters because it is Siddha Gaḍī, Siddha Pīṭh—the holy chair, our holy lineage. So, before you receive a mantra from any master, you should know from which stream the water is coming, the source of that water. When you read Līlā Amṛt, it will become very clear to you, and you should then have the initiation. This mantra initiation is not merely a religious ceremony. Though religious ceremonies are not bad and are also important, this initiation is a spiritual one—the first milestone in your life. It should not happen that after five or two years you say, "Swāmījī, I am sorry, I did not understand everything. I took a mantra, but I have decided not to continue." This should not happen. For your own benefit, I suggest you do not receive a mantra from anyone unless you are clear. Otherwise, it will lead to a situation like in modern life. While returning from Prague the day before yesterday, I was listening to Austrian news. They reported that in Austria, every second Austrian is getting divorced; it is terrible. They also discussed the percentages of married and unmarried couples. Similarly, there could be news about how many disciples give up their mantras and how many come to them. Marriage means to merge into oneness. In English-speaking countries, they say, "The road merges there." For someone like me who does not speak English well, I might say, "What? The road is merged?" The road merges into oneness. When someone gets married, it is a oneness, not merely emotional. To receive a mantra is also a spiritual marriage, where your consciousness merges with the master's consciousness. It is your first mighty stone to walk upon—not a physical one, but of your consciousness. I know many wish to receive a mantra. I would be more than happy and proud if you see something good in me, because everyone seems to shout at me. Yesterday I was unhappy: why are people angry with me? What have I done? No one loves me. I am a very clear person. I am not counting the seeds in my yard, but I am counting how many seeds from my yard attain mokṣa, liberation. Therefore, for your benefit, I say that you should think it over, read Mahāprabhujī's Līlā Amṛt five times, and then decide. When you come to receive the mantra, come with an empty stomach, fasting. Bring bhāva with you—bhāva means devotion. Bhāva znamená oddanost, to znamená určitý prašát ovoce, nějaké sladkosti, přinesete květiny; květina to je symbol oddanosti, ovoce je symbolem oběti, a tomu se říká bhāva, a to se pak rozdělí mezi všechny. (Bhāva means devotion. It means to bring some fruit, some sweets, you bring flowers; the flower is a symbol of devotion, the fruit is a symbol of offering, and this is called bhāva, and it is then shared among everyone.) Also bring a donation; it need not be a specific amount. It is a token of your appreciation and material surrendering. Bring a cloth for the master if you can—a shawl, towel, or material for a dress. Sometimes collective students buy a piece of cloth to make a dress for the master. If you have it in mind, please bring nine meters, as sometimes people bring too little and I end up with different colors everywhere. It is not mandatory, but I am telling you. You can bring a bedsheet in any color. If you bring cloth for me, it should ideally be of this specific color, because whatever I receive I give to the āshram, and the āshram is for you. You are the āshram, and the āshram is you. These things unite us more. We follow Gurū Vākya, and you know we love animals and do not wish to kill them. This is the first ethical principle: not to kill. Therefore, we do not eat meat. The first reason is: thou shalt not kill. The second is: you never know which animal had which illness, or how many chemicals were given to that animal and its feed, which then enter your flesh and body. Therefore, all my bhaktas around the world are vegetarian. I can tell you that all our children worldwide are growing up vegetarian and have the best grades in school. I have been here 37 years. My children—I always call them that—were small when I arrived. Now they have children, and some even have grandchildren. So I am a grand, grand, grandfather. I see my Yoga in Daily Life family spanning four generations, and I tell you, all of them have the best grades, best professions, and the best health. A vegetarian diet is very healthy. Of course, it is not just eating salad and pumpkin. You must learn about Indian vegetarian cuisine. We use milk products, ideally milk directly from farmers, honey, nuts, many different spices, vegetables, and grains like whole wheat, corn, and rice—preferably organic. Our children are healthy and happy. Eat everything except killed animals: no fish, no eggs, no meat. This, too, you should know when you receive a mantra: you must become vegetarian. Before becoming vegetarian, speak with your partner. Do not end up in a situation where you do not eat meat but have to cook it for your partner or cut fish; that is not appreciable. Your partner may not be happy and may not wish to give up meat. First, create harmony and mutual understanding. Then decide to receive the mantra. Vegetarianism is known as the noble way of life, the highest thinking and highest spirit in the body. This is what you must organize. Then you will receive the mantra in a wonderful ceremony that will uplift your spirit, body, and consciousness. Otherwise, I could give you the mantra and you might say, "Yes, yes, Swāmījī, děkuji, děkuji. Swāmījī, děkuji, děkuji." (Thank you, thank you.) And then later: "I had a guru who gave me this mantra; what was his name?" "I cannot repeat the name, but he is called Swāmījī. I do not know what it is. Something begins with M." What kind of disciple are you if you do not know your master's name? The master's name should flow constantly with each breath in and out, as Holy Gurujī said in a bhajan: "Through each and every breath, inhalation and exhalation, should be only your name, oh my God, Gurū Dev." Those who wish to have a mantra, I am very happy to give it. I would be very happy to have you as a disciple, but I would be very unhappy if I disappointed you, or if you disappointed me by saying, "I did not understand, and I took the mantra. I am sorry." It is okay, but it is not what we expect, neither you nor I. You are an honest person with the motivation and desire to achieve something higher. So it does not matter if you take the mantra from me or from another master. First, please check. Do not simply fall into emotion, whether the master speaks very philosophically or very emotionally. Do not decide based on that. You know, there are a hundred children, a hundred baby goats, or five hundred babies, and five hundred goats come home. Every mother and every baby finds their own within no time. They do not carry a photo of their mother. Our mother does not have a photo of the child. So it is that when you see your master, it is penetrating. Recording location: Czech Republic, Strilky, Summer seminar