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Don't run away

A spiritual discourse clarifying the true meaning of non-attachment (vairāgya) and addressing misconceptions about renunciation.

"Vairāgya here does not mean you give up and run away. Who runs away? Our hero will never run away."

"Problems are the best school in the world. Those who have no problems have a boring life; they go searching for troubles."

The speaker systematically explains that vairāgya is not an escape from life's difficulties, such as family or job problems, and critiques the impulse to seek renunciation (sannyāsa) as a form of running away. He emphasizes that one cannot hide from the self or its karma, warning against the consequences of suicide and the misuse of spiritual powers (siddhi) gained through expectation. The talk reframes problems as an essential, destined part of spiritual growth (tṛitāpa).

Recording location: Czech Republic, Strilky, Summer seminar

These vṛttis must be approached very systematically. We must develop vairāgya, but vairāgya here does not mean you give up and run away. Who runs away? Our hero will never run away. Some people think, "Okay, my wife is not good to me," or, "My husband is not good to me," or, "My neighbor is like this," or, "I cannot find a job," and then they think, "I will go to Swāmījī and ask, 'Can I become a sannyāsī?'" Yes, you are most welcome. But within one week you will know better: "I should stay with my family; Swāmījī has so much work for you." Do you think you will go and sit, and everybody will come and serve you food and this and that? Forget it. Without giving, I will not give God's aid. For many, many lives you have to perform karma yoga. Whoever expects sevā will not receive it. Whoever expects siddhi will not attain it. And if one attains siddhi because of expectation, he or she will use that siddhi for wrong purposes. That siddhi will become his or her distraction. Therefore, where will you run away? In the entire universe, there is no corner where you can hide yourself. To give up this body does not mean you run away. You are still existing. Your memory, your thoughts, your psychic feelings—pain, pleasure, love, unhappiness—everything remains with you. Then after death you will say, "Oh, I made a mistake by committing suicide." Many people think, "I will commit suicide and finish my problems." Those who commit suicide have to suffer for a long, long time. There is no bail from the Supreme Cosmic Court to hear your case and then send you to another form of life. Never make the mistake of thinking you want to die. Who is it that thinks they are ill or poor? Therefore, running from problems is not a solution. Problems are the best school in the world. Those who have no problems have a boring life; they go searching for troubles. It is very rare that we do not have problems. This is already in our destiny, called tṛitāpa: ādhibhautika, ādhidaivika, and ādhyātmika. These three tapas—tapa means fire—this individual soul is constantly going through these three different kinds of fire: ādhibhautika, ādhidaivika, and ādhyātmika. Therefore, Holy Gurujī said in this mantra, "Thank you." Recording location: Czech Republic, Strilky, Summer seminar

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.

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