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Om Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ. Rāvāvatu. Salutations to the Cosmic Light. Lord of our hearts, omniscient and omnipresent. In the divine presence of the Cosmic Self, good evening, dear brothers and sisters, dear deputy mayor of the city, the director of this theatre, and all the dignitaries from the education department. It is a blessing to be here with you today. We have planted a peace tree. Peace means a great deal. Mahatma Gandhi said, "There is no way to peace. Peace is the way." We, as humans born, are incarnations of peace, meant to bring peace to this planet. Peace means not only ceasing conflict between humans. One of the most ancient scriptures of humanity is the Vedas. Within these holy Vedas, there is a significant chapter on this subject. It contains the peace mantra, which Swami Avatarpurī was chanting so beautifully. Ultimately, the ancient text says: "Peace on the earth. Peace in the water, peace in the herbs, in the forest, peace in the atmosphere, peace in the entire universe and cosmic consciousness." And that peace should be within me. Therefore, peace is not merely the absence of fighting between cultures, countries, or religions. There is a constant war going on within ourselves. If we can stop that inner war, we are at peace. The tree itself is a symbol of peace. With the kind permission of the park authorities, the mayor, and other organizations, we planted a peace tree today. The subject is good health, which is profoundly important. The first medical system among humans on this planet was brought by God Dhanvantari, who incarnated with the message of Āyurveda, along with the Amṛta Kalaśa—a pot full of nectar. The deity of medicine, Dhanvantari, began this wisdom in Satya Yuga, millions of years ago. Āyurveda means āyur (life or age) and veda (knowledge). The message of Dhanvantari was that every individual should be their own doctor. It is said that the first happiness is health—a healthy body. A Western scientist stated, "Health is not everything, but everything is nothing without health." Swami Vivekānanda said life means health; lying in a hospital is no longer life. We must consider the dharma of the body—its nature. The dharma of the body is to be born, to grow, and to die. But between this process, from birth until death, what can we do to maintain good health? In yoga, we say there are four very important principles for living healthy and happy. First is āhāra—diet. It is not merely about filling our stomach or seeking taste. The causes of illness are, first, our indriyas (senses), and second, our stomach. The stomach is not guilty; the guilt lies in our habits. Āhāra should be balanced, sattvic, pure nourishment. Today we have here a basket with beautiful decoration—life, weeds, plants, flowers, and so on. How you eat and what you eat determines your health, and consequently, your attitude will change. Second is vichāra—the way of thinking. The mind is a mighty elephant and a very troublesome monkey. The most dangerous pollution is mental pollution. Modern psychology says negative thinking means poisoning oneself, while positive thinking means enlightening oneself. Mostly, troubles are created through our mental thinking, and then we act accordingly. The third point is behavior, ācāra. How we behave towards others is what we get back. Kindness costs no money and creates a beautiful atmosphere. Rudeness and arrogance can cause many troubles. Our attitude and behavior should be friendly and humble, with kind words and respect for the divine creation in this world—not only for humans, but for all. There is only one God, one Creator who has created all creatures' lives on this planet, including plants and vegetation. Never cut any tree unnecessarily; try to protect a tree. Nowadays, technology allows us to build a multi-floor building in no time, but we cannot grow a large tree in that time. Trees are our lungs; trees are our life. An American Indian said, "When the last fish will die"—meaning you are polluting the water—"and the last tree will be chopped off, oh man, then you will realize that you cannot eat your dollars." Trees are part of our life. Plant trees; do not chop them down. Be kind to the forest. Kindness and humbleness in our behavior towards our entire planet—as pure as we received this planet, we should pass that purity to our children. Therefore, in yoga, it is said that your being, attitude, and behavior in this world are crucial for spiritual development and health. The fourth point is vihāra—where to go and where not to go. For this, we should be aware of two things: the place and the situation. If you go at two or three o'clock in the night on certain streets and someone kicks you down, it is no wonder. Wandering at night is not for humans. All aggressive creatures and thieves search for darkness; they are active in the night. That time is for us to sleep. No wonder if you go to sleep late and have to get up early for work, full of stress. That is a stress factor. You can work even ten hours without stress if you sleep enough. We often say we have no time. Today I came here to give you time because you have no time. Now I will give you time. In our clock, there are 24 hours. Suppose you must fly from here to Sydney; it takes 24 hours, and with waiting, about 35 hours—a very long time. You fly to India in six to seven hours. We book a first-class ticket because it is so long. So, 24 hours. First, 8 hours for your work. If everyone works eight hours honestly, the Slovenian economy will flourish—working without private telephone calls or drinking too much coffee. Eight hours of work only. We still have sixteen hours left—a very long time. Now, eight hours for sleep. Who here is lucky enough to sleep eight hours daily? Sleep is crucial for our body, health, and digestion. We still have eight hours remaining after work and sleep. What do you do with the other eight hours every day? One hour for your bathroom routine morning and evening, one hour for cooking and half an hour for eating, maximum one hour for shopping—that totals three and a half hours. One or two hours with your family, sitting and speaking: why your children go to discos, nightclubs, and restaurants every day is because parents have nothing to offer them. Parents have no time for children. Your children do not need your money; they need your wisdom. They do not need toys; they need your love. At home, a happy family talks and speaks. Children need love; parents need love and a happy atmosphere. Even at 20 years old, your parents care for you like a little baby. If you are in a local restaurant, who will care for you? Everyone thinks differently, and unfortunately, they might even offer you drugs in your drink. Your father, mother, and brother would not do this. Environment and atmosphere influence our health. That is why Yoga in Daily Life is designed for the four pillars of health: physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. Now, nourishment, way of thinking, attitude, and where to go and where not to go. You have used five hours, and three hours remain. These three hours are for yourself—for your yoga practice, prayer, meditation, and relaxation. If you practice three hours a day, I think Novi Gorica would be declared a healthy city. If everyone here practiced three hours a day, Novi Gorica would be declared the healthiest city. But it requires discipline and willpower. I would also like to say that we should not deny allopathic medicine. In this field, much research has been done. Certain diseases and complications cannot be treated through other healing methods. But for minor issues, do not use chemicals. In India, we say, for killing a mosquito, do not use a big cannon. Āyurveda and yoga are the two wings of our being to fly healthily and happily towards the divine light. When I came here 40 years ago, it was very hot; you wanted to go there. Now it is cool, with beds and all. Āyurveda mentions eating. First, you must decide if you want a healthy body and to enjoy life. Then have self-discipline in one thing: eating. Forty years ago, there was no question of organic food; everything was organic. Very few people in five-star hotels drank bottled mineral water. Our water, fountains, and lakes were pure, clean, and drinkable. In this short time, we have created so much pollution. It is advisable to support organic farming. Healthy food on our plate comes not from the shop but from the fields. Our life depends on forests and fields. Second is movement. Nourishment includes solid nourishment, liquid nourishment, movement, environment, way of thinking, and sometimes no thinking—silence is also nourishment. Society and company are also nourishment. The physical body, mental body, astral body, and causal body are interconnected. Most illnesses first attack our emotions: anger, hate, jealousy, greed, sadness, happiness, pride, and feeling offended are all emotions. These emotions open doors to our psyche. In certain situations, by people, animals, or anything, we are touched negatively or positively, deeply. Then we begin to think constantly, influencing our heart chakra, where fear arises. If the heart chakra is imbalanced, it imbalances our third eye, the Ājñā chakra. We begin to think aloud, repeating situations in our thoughts as if verbally speaking. Slowly, it solidifies in our subconscious. The situation may be good, but the subconscious brings blackmailing. You hear the voice of that situation and develop fear, which can become a phobia or schizophrenia. It is vital to clarify things immediately in life. If someone says, "You are not a good man," say, "Thank you very much. Can you remind me so I can correct myself?" The person will tell you, "Say thank you." Thank you, Master. You reminded me of my weaknesses and mistakes; I will correct them. Do not be angry at the one who criticized you; see your shadow. All four bodies are affected by environment, food, and thinking. The body's nature is to grow. A little avatar can jump from here to there; he is a young boy. I would also like to jump—and I can, not only once but twice: the first time and the last time. Do not expect your body to remain as it was at 18 or 20 years old. With eating, drinking, and our actions, we must be considerate and gentle with our body. Once a year, for about three weeks, you should become phalahārī. In yoga, this is called kāya kalpa—purification of the body. In Western countries, they speak of rejuvenation. When I spoke in Germany about kāya kalpa and rejuvenation, they did not understand and asked, "Master, what did you say? Can you repeat that? Become and be a younger Vyadvida?" We still have many wishes and desires: to live long, for our knees and shoulders not to hurt, and so on. The phalahārī diet means for three weeks eating only vegetables and fruits—no grains, milk products, meat, eggs, fish, potatoes, or bananas. During kāya kalpa, use less oil on salads; you can use spices and salt. You can cook, boil, or eat raw vegetables and fruits like grapes, oranges, and apples. The first day, you will be hungry; the second day, you may feel weak; by the third day, you will get an appetite. You must shop and eat as much as you want, but only fruits and vegetables. However, if you have diabetes, are pregnant, or are physically weak, do not do this. Consult your doctors. We should be safe and practice āsanas and prāṇāyāma with slow movements, which have a deep effect. For example, make a fist and open your palm. You may not feel much difference. Now, look at your left palm. Close your fist tightly with the thumb inside. With your right hand, hold your left wrist very tightly. Now, open only your left palm and look at your hand. It may look aged, but we must return to youth. Observe your palm, fingertips, and feelings. Be aware of your palm. Now release your right hand and see the difference. The right hand may be jealous. Let us do it with the right hand. Look at your right palm, close your fist, hold your wrist tightly, and open the palm. Release the left hand. In winter here in Novi Gorica, when it is very cold and your car's steering wheel is freezing, this technique can warm your hands quickly. Your entire body is filled with energy. You have healing powers, and your immunity will strengthen with balanced Yoga in Daily Life exercises. There are many energy centers in your body. Bring your palms together and fold your hands. Now, feel your palms a thousand times more. Rub your hands tightly. The chairs here are nicely designed; the picture looks good. Continue rubbing your palms. We must reach the highest point of healing. Outside it is cold; let fire fall on the hands. Hold your hands with fingers together, palms straight, and move them. Energy pulls your palms together like a magnet. If you move them like needles and close your fists, hands down, this balanced, slow yoga exercise leads to good health. Good eating, fresh eating, walking, and yoga exercises are essential. After your āsana practice, focus on breathing. When we were born, the first thing we did was inhale. The last thing we will do at death is exhale, unable to inhale again—the last breath. Our breath is that long: we inhale at birth and exhale at death. Between are only waves of breath in relation to exhalation, like ocean waves from one shore to another. Calm waves bring relaxation; stormy, high waves bring fear. There are many steps in breathing techniques. Luckily, in your beautiful city Novi Gorica, there are many Yoga in Daily Life teachers. Practice this for your life, for no one else. Now, a little meditation or relaxation. Place your hands on your thighs or knees, elbows relaxed. Palms can face upward or touch your thighs, with thumb and index finger touching. Elbows relaxed, not stretched. Close your eyes; do not open them until instructed. The whole day has passed with physical and mental work. Now it is time to relax. Withdraw from the external world and come to your inner world. Be aware of your being here, physically and mentally—no concentration, no imagination, no expectations. Just let it be; feel that reality. You are relaxed. Feel your whole body from toes to the top of your head, and from the top of your head to your toes. Say to yourself, "Relax, my friend, relax." For now, just relax. Your whole body relaxes: legs, hips, back muscles, stomach muscles, shoulders, elbows, hands, fingers, neck, face muscles, eyelids, lips, and chest. Now, bring awareness to the natural, normal breath process. Know you are inhaling and exhaling. Feel the breath. During inhalation, your body inhales life force and vitality. During exhalation, it exhales toxins. You feel relaxed and comfortable. Now, slowly extrovert yourself. You are in this hall; feel your whole body inside and outside. Take a deep inhale and exhale. Deep inhale and chant OM with me once, and three times the Śānti Mantra. Deep inhale. Now move your fingers, close your fists, open your palms, pull your palms together, rub them, place your hands on your face, gently massage your face muscles, and open your eyes. Hari Om.