Merging into light
Truly, there is no inherently bad day; only unfortunate events occur.
All creation holds beauty that requires care, from plants to furniture. When something cherished is lost, sadness arises. Objects touched by a holy one carry value because of that personality, not money. Negative thinking alone is bad; before judging, negativity already dwells within. The wise do not grieve because the soul is immortal. Without knowledge of the soul, attachment to form causes sorrow. A saint’s passing is a merging into Brahman, not cause for sadness. The sixteenth day is marked by Sorsi Bandhara, a feast with gifts and pusp anjali. This offering of flowers connects to the sixteen siddhis of attainment. The moon’s sixteen kalas influence plant growth and immunity. Planting during the waxing moon yields stronger, pest-resistant plants. Devpuriji possessed such light that he could appear in multiple places simultaneously. He once appeared to Holi Guruji, saying he was going to Europe to help. Immortal saints are present wherever remembered; they never leave. Yet the physical heart still feels longing, for love is boundless.
“Anything that has touched your Gurudev, keep it, for one day he or she will no longer be here. But you will treasure that it was her or his blessing.”
“I am going to Mahesh… to Europe… but on the way, I saw you sitting here, so I stopped just to bless you.”
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Up next
Be the tool
The spiritual path requires surrendering the ego's claim of being the doer to become a tool of divine grace. A dog pulling a chariot mistakenly believes it carries the entire load itself. Similarly, Hanuman once thought his great deeds were his own doing. Rama then sent him on a difficult journey to deliver a ring to a sage. The sage threw the ring into a vessel filled with identical rings from every divine incarnation, revealing that countless servants have come before. The practitioner must pray to be an instrument, allowing divine energy to flow through selfless service. All actions, like leading a yoga class, become energized when performed with the attitude of "I am not the doer." Spiritual work must be done invisibly, without seeking recognition, as showing off one's fasting or prayers feeds the ego. The guru's guidance acts as medicine that may stir up inner impurities, which is necessary for purification. Life is like entering a cold, testing ground; the aim is to emerge with one's inner purity intact. By focusing on personal cleansing through practice, one naturally illuminates the surroundings.
"Only what is important for us is to understand and to pray to be the tool."
"Always be aware of Hanumānjī when he realized that a lot, and so many, was before him and so much will be after him, and only pray for grace, for great luck, to get the opportunity to be the tool."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Navabda Bhakti I
A new education is needed to awaken universal love and spiritual consciousness for world peace. This education must be free, not one-sided, teaching respect for all religions, cultures, and laws. Humans are born for spirituality; it alone saves the world and awakens consciousness. The difference from other creatures is improving spirituality for God Realization. Spiritual consciousness creates sustainability and protects the planet. It begins with educating children and awakening through bhakti, which is love. The tree gives fruit even to one who throws a stone, embodying oneness without dualities. Inner peace is required for world peace. The heart beats only for the one Self; there is no two, only one God, one truth, one love in many forms. One must accept all spiritual paths. Spiritual growth, not economic growth, solves global problems. This is cultivated through practices like satsaṅg and the ninefold path of devotion, which includes universal fellowship, listening to divine glories, maintaining faith, and worshipping God.
"Love your neighbor means to love all creatures as your own body. Every entity is myself."
"Spiritual consciousness is the answer for a sustainable world. It is essential for bringing peace and for creating a human education that helps us realize our humanity."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
DVD 477
Calming down the vrittis
Yoga is the stilling of the mind's modifications. Discipline in all aspects of life is the foundation. The mind's thoughts are like waves in a pond; a single ripple obscures clarity. As long as thoughts are unpeaceful, meditation is not present. To calm the vṛttis, one must practice and seek solitude. A retreat to a peaceful natural place allows the system to recharge and quiet. The practice of Brahmari Pranayama specifically calms the brain and sharpens the senses through sound vibration. This sound connects to the primordial Om, the formless source of all creation. Everything visible and invisible arises from this sound.
"Yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ: through the practice of yoga, you can calm down all your thoughts, your vṛttis."
"Everything—all that is visible, invisible, hearing, tasting, feeling—all this is only from one source: from the Aum, the sound."
A Prayer for the Yajña
Evening satsang from Wellington Ashram, New Zealand.
