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Patanjali Yoga Sutras from Strilky summer seminar (27/27)
The spiritual path requires constant practice, discipline, and the grace of the Guru.This human life offers the rare opportunity for self-realization, a goal achieved across many lifetimes through dedicated sādhanā. The practitioner is refined like metal in a fire, shaped by the Guru's guidance to purify the ego … read more »
Everything can be solved through prayer
A life without problems does not exist; problems are external and inner.Every day you awaken and retire with different feelings, encountering many things and experiencing brutish thoughts like disappointment, jealousy, and anger. The highest principle is the Guru, with Brahmā as the first guru. All beings in … read more »
Interview with Swamiji, Strilky, CZ
Yoga is a universal system for human well-being, encompassing body, mind, consciousness, and soul.It is an ancient science aimed at physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. The system called Yoga in Daily Life is not different from yoga itself; it is simply a complete and compact method designed for … read more »
I long for Guru brothers and sisters from satsang
The longing for satsa g is the central theme.I deeply long for my guru brothers and sisters, all who attend satsa g, to the point my eyes fill with tears when I think of them. It is said that where there is daily satsa … read more »
The Eternal Guru Principle and the Human Journey
The human form is a rare door to divine realization on this mortal recreation planet.The same supreme consciousness reflects in all 8.4 million life forms, but only humans possess the discriminating intellect to understand life, death, and the divine. This intellect, when illuminated, dispels ignorance like the dawn sun. The … read more »
The Samādhi of Siamdas and Ramdas
The profound connection between master and disciple is illustrated through the story of Siamdas and Ramdas.A master and his disciple lived in a place near Khatu. The master announced he would enter Mahāsamādhi the next day and had a burial place prepared. His disciple, Ramdas, expressed his despair at being left … read more »
The Yogi in the Cremation Ground: A Story of Renunciation
Heaven is in the forest; hell is in the city.Cities are full of disturbances and fear, like the fear of financial loss. Fear arises from the mind's focus on having or not having, not from external conditions. True joy is found through sacrifice and renunciation. … read more »
Svarga and naraka
Heaven is the forest; hell is the city.In the city, constant disturbances and fear dominate existence, a fear rooted in the human psyche despite all material things remaining present. This fear stems from attachment. True joy is found not in acquisition but in … read more »
Overcoming the Inner Obstacles: The Five Kleśas
The five inner obstacles, or kleśas, are the fundamental afflictions of individual existence that prevent the highest samādhi.We exist within the exhalation of the supreme reality, a state of perceived separation and duality. This individual existence gives rise to internal obstacles far more challenging than external ones like illness or noise. Patañjali outlines … read more »
Asmita
The final seed is the ego's fear of its own dissolution at the threshold of union with the Absolute.One approaches the door of Brahman established in samādhi, ready to become one. Yet when the door opens, the individual self asks how it will live inside and is told it will not be there, for … read more »
The Rain of Grace: On Īśvara Praṇidhāna
Īśvara Praṇidhāna is the surrender and devotion to God that precedes samādhi.God's grace, like rain, falls on all. A lake, a tree, and a saint share the same selfless mission: to give without expectation. True devotion is not about abandoning duties but performing them with God in … read more »
Ishvara Pranidhana
The destiny of the devotee is taken on by God, but one must first be a devotee.This state is Īśvara Praṇidhāna. It is not achieved through ritual offerings or verbal declarations of love. True surrender requires no act of giving anything up. One must simply be present, recognizing that divine presence is … read more »
A Day of Divine Grace and Spiritual Practice
Today is a divine day of grace, marking a holy incarnation.We celebrate through spiritual practice and understanding. Our journey requires purifying karma over many lives, maintaining faith regardless of outcomes. Selfish wishes are ignored by God for our own good, unlike the positive selfishness of seeking … read more »
Gurudev makes impossible wishes possible
The fulfillment of wishes depends upon the devotee's inner state and the grace of the Guru.The Guru's power can make anything possible. Yet, wishes often remain unfulfilled due to inner conflict, doubt, and a lack of sustained faith. When a wish is granted, the devotee may forget the source of grace. … read more »
The Path of Śraddhā, Vīrya, and Smṛti
The path to samādhi is built upon śraddhā, vīrya, and smṛti.Śraddhā is confidence, devotion, and belief directed toward your practice; it is your essential instrument. Vīrya is the health, strength, and proper functioning of your body and senses, which support and motivate your sādhanā. Smṛti is … read more »
Sradha
Śraddhā is the foundational quality for spiritual practice, encompassing respect, devotion, confidence, love, belief, expectation, and hope.It is traditionally directed toward parents, a master, or God. Patañjali advises the practitioner to direct this Śraddhā toward their own practice itself. One must have confidence in the practice as the sole vehicle for achievement, … read more »
Garden of spirituality
The mind is a garden you cultivate, yet a monkey within can destroy it.Through discipline, you create an inner garden of beautiful thoughts and feelings like love and wisdom. You are the gardener of this space. Conversely, some let their inner world become ruined and thorny. Devotees toil to … read more »
On Authentic Yoga and Spiritual Realization
Authentic yoga is a science of body, mind, and soul for realizing oneness with God, not a commercial wellness activity.Many modern practices use the name 'yoga' but lack authenticity, originating from commentaries rather than ancient wisdom. The true author of yoga is Lord Śiva, and its essence is found in authentic scriptures like the Mahāśiva … read more »
How to recognise yoga exercise?
Authentic yoga is found in ancient, vetted scriptures, not modern commercial adaptations.Yoga has become a commercial venture with many invented practices like laughing yoga, which are not in the śāstras. While personal practice is healthy and better than nothing, one should not be fanatical. To continue genuine … read more »
Public lecture in Blansko(CZ)
Bharatanatyam is a spiritual dance for self-realization.Its precise steps and Karnāṭaka music accompany sacred texts from Indian sages. The performance purifies the atmosphere and blesses all present. The dance titled Ānanda Nāṭamāḍuvar Tilayi depicts Śiva's cosmic dance of endless joy. Worshipping Śiva, … read more »
Harmony is within us
Health is the foundation of happiness, not external status.A healthy person is the happiest, regardless of circumstance. The most unhappy may be the richest or a beggar. Harmony is internal, not found in tablets. It comes from mutual understanding, kindness, and positive thinking. These … read more »
The Three Bodies and the Path of the Yogi
The three bodies—physical, subtle, and causal—contain our existence.Master the physical body without torturing it; some sustain themselves on specific roots and flowers for contentment. The yogi's sacred fireplace, or dhūni, offers protection and healing ash. A steady body in meditation allows the breath … read more »
Accept your mistakes
Our ailment is seeing mistakes in others, not accepting our own.We fight and blame, like spouses over a lost key. Not accepting mistakes creates guilt, which breeds fear. Fear creates anger as protection, and anger creates discrepancy. Accepting mistakes frees one from guilt. Purifying the entire … read more »
Patanjali Yoga Sutras from Strilky summer seminar (18/27)
The forest is a place of blessing for spiritual practice.This preserved woodland offers healing through its air and untouched nature. Many gather here from around the world for retreat, walking, yoga, and prānāyāma. True holiday is found in such peaceful solitude, not in noisy modern … read more »
Patanjali Yoga Sutras from Strilky summer seminar (17/27)
Webcast of afternoon satsang from summer seminar in Strilky Ashram (CZ) on August 15th 2009.
Gurudev fulfills every wish
The Guru's grace makes the impossible possible.Physical gathering is preferable, but mental unity through devotion also connects us. The Guru's will transcends ordinary limitations, as seen when weather defies forecasts. The Guru principle is not a person but a divine, conscious reality … read more »
The Divine Day of Incarnation
Today is the day of divine incarnation, celebrating Lord Kṛṣṇa's birth.Before creation, there is only the light of consciousness, Jyoti Svarūpa, which is Śiva. From this unified consciousness, the three guṇas manifest as Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśa. A divine manifestation appears without parents, while an incarnation, … read more »
Janmasthami
The celestial celebration marks divine incarnation.Observing the sky reveals falling stars and lightnings as signs of a great incarnation's arrival. Incarnation differs from manifestation. Manifestation is the initial emergence from cosmic consciousness as pure light, without mother or father, like Sadāśiva. … read more »
The Path of Vairāgya and Citta Vṛtti Nirodha
The path of yoga requires mastering the mind by overcoming attachment, which is the root of bondage.The restless mind, governed by the senses, is agitated by mamatā, or attachment. This attachment gives rise to the dual forces of rāga and dveṣa—attraction and aversion—which disturb our peace. We are like a hunted animal, … read more »
Don't run away
Vairāgya is not running away from life's duties and challenges.Systematic development of vairāgya is required, but it is not escapism. The true hero never flees. Some seek sannyāsa to escape personal troubles like a difficult marriage or unemployment, but they quickly learn ashram life demands … read more »
The Householder's Path: Dharma, Family, and Spiritual Practice
The householder's spiritual path is fulfilled through duty, family, and inner discipline.Running from family life is not the answer. Your primary dharma is to educate your children well; failing this means failing your spiritual path. This duty requires self-mastery, as children reflect your inner state. Modern society … read more »
The Fragility of Vairāgya and the Necessity of Steady Practice
The spiritual path requires steady practice to overcome fragile detachment.Our vairāgya, or dispassion, is easily broken by temptations, attachments, or disappointments. Like a rope gently cutting stone through constant motion, only long-term, determined practice can wear down our ignorance, ego, and negative tendencies. We are … read more »
Temptation
The path begins with mastering thoughts and cultivating vairāgya, a detachment easily misled by temptation.One vairāgya arises from hearing sacred revelations of reality's beauty and miraculous powers, inspiring a desire to achieve such states, like levitation. Between 1970 and 1980, a commercial course promised flying yogis for a high fee, … read more »
The Seer, the Sight, and the Seen: On Practice, Detachment, and Self-Knowledge
The path to self-realization requires practice and detachment.The seer, the sight, and the seen are distinct. In higher consciousness, the knower, knowledge, and the known become one. The self is the goal, but theory alone cannot bring realization; practice is essential. The self … read more »
Dhyana Mulam Guru Mutri
Meditation requires steadiness, aim, and grace.Yoga techniques like prāṇāyāma and chakra śodhana purify the mind, but physical discomfort from inadequate preparation creates mental agitation, preventing true meditation. The body is like a stable glass of water; when the body moves, the … read more »
Mastering the Mind: On Vṛttis and Spiritual Discipline
The core issue is mastering the mind by understanding and controlling mental modifications, or vṛttis, which are the key to spiritual progress.Discipline is essential. Vṛttis arise from sensory input and can be afflicted (kliṣṭa) or non-afflicted (akliṣṭa). What we see, hear, and smell creates thoughts that either support or hinder our practice. A pleasant sight or smell … read more »
Klishta and Aklishta Vritti
The three perceptual senses of sight, sound, and smell intensely influence the mind's vṛttis, which are either painful (kliṣṭa) or non-painful (akliṣṭa).A pleasing sight, like a beautiful bush, creates harmonious thoughts that seem supportive. A disturbing sight, like a tiger, creates immediate fear that disbalances you. Pleasant sounds make you happy, while disruptive noises disturb your peace. … read more »
A Gathering of Hearts: Disciples Share Their Journeys
The spiritual path is a gradual process of mastering the body and mind to achieve steadiness.Disciples share how decades of practice under a master's guidance provide strength, overcome illness, and transform qualities. The practice of mantra creates a direct, strengthening connection. The goal is to withdraw the senses from external disturbances, … read more »
Withdraw your Senses
External sounds and events do not inherently disturb; disturbance arises from personal liking and disliking.Withdraw the senses and merge with the inner sound to find peace. Mental modifications are in constant flux, making it difficult to remain fixed in a state of higher knowledge. Even with dedicated practice, underlying fears … read more »
The Essence of Mantra and Discipline
The essence of spiritual practice lies in authentic mantra and disciplined resolve.Mantra initiation must come from an authentic spiritual lineage thousands of years old, not from a self-made master. All are instruments; to declare oneself the master is to be lost. Do not imitate the external form … read more »
Follow the Guruvakya
The essence of spiritual discipleship is to follow the teacher's instruction, not to imitate their personal habits.I observed my disciples growing beards, assuming they should mimic my appearance. I clarified they should not adopt such external forms unless they wished to. A disciple expressed relief, having mistakenly believed imitation was required. My … read more »
The Essence of Rakṣā Bandhan
Rakṣā Bandhan addresses the universal human need for security and harmony.It originated from a time of distrust, particularly to protect women. Initially, humans lived in a peaceful state known as Rāmrājya, where borders did not exist and people lived as one family. Greed eventually arose, leading … read more »
Happy Raksha Bandhan
Rakṣābandhan is a ceremony for protection and security, especially for women.It originated from a need for safety in times of human distrust. Initially, there was an era of Rāmrājya, a harmonious kingdom without borders where people lived freely and happily. Greed later arose, leading to the … read more »
The Human Dharma and the Spiritual Path
The human duty is to use our intellect for discernment and to protect all life.We are blessed to be born human, possessing intellect for judgment and duty. This human dharma is a responsibility to love and protect all creatures, not discriminate. Our first fortune is this human birth. The second … read more »
Rich and Poor
True richness is found in our human birth, not in external wealth.We are blessed to be born with a healthy human body, possessing hands, legs, eyes, and intellect. This is our fundamental wealth. Being rich or poor is a state of mind. A person with billions may … read more »
Patanjali Yoga Sutras from Strilky summer seminar (6/27)
Webcast of afternoon satsang from summer seminar in Strilky Ashram (CZ) on August 4th 2009.
How to control the Citta Vritti (meditation with pranayam)
A guided meditation on breath awareness and the selective observation of thought.Sit straight with hands on knees, eyes closed. Inhale and exhale through the left nostril, observing the abdominal breath. Be a witness to the mind's modifications. Collect all thoughts and select only the important ones. Reject … read more »
The Path of Vairāgya: From Attachment to Universal Love
The yogic path examines consciousness from stone to cosmos, revealing life and energy in all existence.Ancient seers researched astrology, palmistry, and the interconnected life of 8.4 million creatures. They understood that violence in any form returns as karmic punishment, making non-violence—universal love—the central path. Attachment, or rāga, is the root of … read more »
Convert your attachment into Love
The path is defined by attachment (Rāga) or detachment (Vairāgya).Vairāgya, or non-attachment, is essential for spiritual progress and cannot be realized without sacred company (satsa g). Attachment is the root of selfishness and all suffering, creating duality where universal love should reside. A story illustrates … read more »
The Precious Human Life: Awakening from the Prison of Attachment
The human life is a precious chance to awaken from the prison of attachment and realize the Self.Our consciousness is a jungle of restless thoughts, which Patañjali teaches to calm. Attachment to "my" things, people, and ideas creates a terrible inner prison, while detachment brings freedom. We must respect all life, including trees, … read more »