How our fate brings us to yoga
A journey unfolds from personal crisis to spiritual awakening through the Guru's grace. A life in America, surrounded by material pursuit, led to physical injury and deep questioning. Searching for healing introduced a reluctant yoga practice. Discovering a book compelled a journey to New Zealand, where a meeting with the Guru felt like a destined reunion. The Guru's instruction to teach and later to open an ashram was initially resisted but ultimately accepted. Teaching Yoga in Daily Life in the West reveals a society where yoga is often mere gymnastics and core values are crumbling. The current global situation acts as a collective tapasyā, forcing introspection. True yoga is not sequential postures but the purification of all layers of being, integrated into daily life and simple human interactions.
"Everything is just crumbling. How can it get any better?" And Gurudev just said, "Put it in the fire." Tapasyā.
"I practice Yoga in Daily Life. That’s my job on Wall Street."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Up next
The way to the Light
Satsaṅg is the company of truth that leads to spiritual development.
Truth is the unchanging reality, Brahman, while the changing world is temporary. The soul descends through various births, bound by past karma, to experience life on Earth. Humans possess intellect and freedom of choice, making them responsible for creating new karma. The soul is a mixture of the individual consciousness and the universal Self. Through human life, one can purify karma and realize the true Self. Education and company from childhood shape one's mentality and path. Good society, or satsaṅg, inspires positive development, while bad society, or kusaṅga, leads to distraction and suffering. Temptations like addiction appear attractive but ultimately ensnare. True friendship is a partnership walking the path of truth. One should seek the company that elevates consciousness and makes good resolutions.
"Sat means truth, and that truth is what we call brahma satya, jagat mithyā."
"Humans have a different law... that is called intellect, which has the capacity of saṅkalpa and vikalpa."
Filming location: Moravske Toplice, Slovenia
Sri Mahamandaleshwars the pillars of sanatan dharma
Sanātana Dharma is the eternal bridge between the transient world and the non-transient reality. The world is separation and suffering, but this eternal principle unifies. It is realized as the relationship between God and human, with yoga being both the path and the goal. The Kumbha Melā festival embodies this search, where millions gather and great yogis are honored. Akhāṛās are ancient communities dedicated to this dharma. In 1998, Paramahaṃsa Śrī Maheśvarānandajī was initiated as a Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara in the Mahānirvaṇī Akhāṛā, joining an unbroken lineage. His Guru emphasized that sannyāsīs exist to serve, not to be a burden. Swāmījī vowed to spread Advaita and Sanātana Dharma globally. He founded the Yoga in Daily Life system, which now operates worldwide. His projects include building the Oṁ Viśvadīp Gurukul Āśram, a school, a hospital, and water conservation efforts. He participates in global peace conferences and has been recognized by international leaders. He is a living bridge for this eternal dharma.
"Sevā is the highest dharma among all dharmas."
"I give you my word that not only in India but throughout the world, I will bring the divine message of Advaita philosophy and eternal Sanātana Dharma."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
DVD 504
The Fourth Sri Swami Maheshwaranands Festival of Spiritual Music (4/4)
Worldly life is impermanent, and the only true refuge is in the saint.
All worldly relationships and possessions are temporary. The body is a temporary guesthouse, and the mind is a fleeting traveler. Wealth, family, and status are all subject to change and loss. This impermanence is the source of all suffering. The only permanent shelter is found in the company and grace of the true saint. The saint's teachings and divine name are the sole anchors in this transient existence. By taking refuge in the saint, one transcends the cycle of birth and death.
"Everything in this world is temporary; only the saint's refuge is permanent."
"Without the saint's refuge, there is no peace, only the endless cycle of suffering."
Filming location: Slovenia
Kirtan singing from Strilky
Archive 20240821 21 edited
Musical recording.
