The Festival of Holī: From Darkness to Light
The festival of Holī celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Culture and tradition unite us, creating family and community. Human life is a precious opportunity for spiritual progress, the final step toward self-realization. The journey is like a river seeking the ocean or a leaf separated from its tree, fraught with obstacles. Ego and negative qualities must die for the pure self to live. This is not easily achieved, as illustrated by a disciple who claimed enlightenment yet reacted with anger when tested. The story of Holī originates from the demon king Hiraṇyakaśipu, who sought immortality through a boon making him nearly invincible. His devout son Prahlāda, protected by divine grace, survived all attempts on his life. The king’s sister Holikā, who was immune to fire, perished when trying to burn Prahlāda, while he remained unharmed. The king was ultimately destroyed by the divine Narasiṁha avatāra, a half-man, half-lion form, at twilight, at a threshold, fulfilling the conditions of the boon. The festival thus symbolizes the destruction of negative forces and the protection of devotion. It is a day for joy, color, and harmony, reminding us to cultivate goodness and reduce negativity within.
"Human life is the last milestone to enter into that kingdom of the Supreme."
"‘Die’ means ego, selfishness, greed, anger, hate, jealousy, revenge, cruelties, backbiting, negative thinking."
Filming location: Brisbane, Australia
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The Festival of Holī: From Darkness to Light
The festival of Holī celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Culture and tradition unite us, creating family and community. Human life is a precious opportunity for spiritual progress, the final step toward self-realization. The journey is like a river seeking the ocean or a leaf separated from its tree, fraught with obstacles. Ego and negative qualities must die for the pure self to live. This is not easily achieved, as illustrated by a disciple who claimed enlightenment yet reacted with anger when tested. The story of Holī originates from the demon king Hiraṇyakaśipu, who sought immortality through a boon making him nearly invincible. His devout son Prahlāda, protected by divine grace, survived all attempts on his life. The king’s sister Holikā, who was immune to fire, perished when trying to burn Prahlāda, while he remained unharmed. The king was ultimately destroyed by the divine Narasiṁha avatāra, a half-man, half-lion form, at twilight, at a threshold, fulfilling the conditions of the boon. The festival thus symbolizes the destruction of negative forces and the protection of devotion. It is a day for joy, color, and harmony, reminding us to cultivate goodness and reduce negativity within.
"Human life is the last milestone to enter into that kingdom of the Supreme."
"‘Die’ means ego, selfishness, greed, anger, hate, jealousy, revenge, cruelties, backbiting, negative thinking."
Filming location: Brisbane, Australia
Discovering harmony and peace
A journey within begins by relaxing the body and observing the breath. Contemplate the five elements within. Space exists inside and outside; feel at ease within it. Air, or prāṇa, purifies the body and can remove illness with concentrated will. Inner fire, or agni, balances temperature and burns away toxins. The water element flows through tissues, supplying minerals and expelling impurities. The earth element, the bones, provides a frame. These elements within can become polluted by the external world. Purify them through sāttvic food, yoga postures, prāṇāyāma, and meditation. Body awareness is life awareness; health depends on clean, balanced elements. Bring awareness to any area of pain or illness. Direct breath and the elements—air, fire, space, water—to that area to balance and heal. This self-inquiry meditation can be done seated. Many bodily problems stem from personal mistakes like wrong diet or substances, but they can be repaired through yoga, meditation, and a balanced diet. Make a resolve to heal the body and mind through these elements and practices. Love and protect nature. Decide for a healthy, strong body and a long life.
"Body awareness means life awareness. The body is here, you are here."
"Strive to purify with sāttvic food... Pure quality gives more quality to your life."
Filming location: Rijeka, Croatia
The Inner Kingdom and the Path of Meditation
Meditation is the path to realizing the inner kingdom. Every individual possesses an inner kingdom ruled by the Self, the ātmā. This kingdom requires the discipline of Rāja Yoga, the eightfold path. All eight limbs must be practiced daily; they are not sequential stages. Meditation means to be one with, achieved through prior concentration. Concentration is a singular focus undisturbed by worldly thoughts, like a dancer balanced on a rope. Meditation is a state of complete conscious relaxation, deeper than sleep, where mental waves calm. In this depth, one is undisturbed like the still bottom of a turbulent ocean. The practice leads to merging individual consciousness with the cosmic.
"Tumman Indriyoka Raja Atam Antaryami." O my inner self, you are the king of your mind and senses.
"Jab lag handī khaḍ bade, tab tak tab lag sījī naye." As long as the contents in the pot are dancing, they are not yet cooked.
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
Bhajan evening in Jadan Ashram
The yogic sleep of the realized being is a state of wakeful awareness. In that sleep, one knows wakefulness and makes the night bright as day. The senses are withdrawn yet perceiving, unattached like a white lotus in muddy water. One abides in the self, radiant on the throne of the heart. Wherever one looks or hears, there is no ordinary thought or sight. This is the sleep known to saints and sages, where consciousness remains fully conscious.
"In that sleep, one knows wakefulness and makes the night bright as day."
"Wherever one looks or hears, there is no ordinary thought or sight."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
