The Nature of Attachment, the Curse of Knowledge, and the Immortal Parrot
A spiritual discourse exploring attachment, divine knowledge, and a mythological story about immortality.
"Love is the greatest. That love is God, and God is love. Our love for our dear ones, parents, ancestors, sisters, brothers, friends, animals, house pets, even our car."
"Therefore, moha. Moha means ignorance, and moha means attachment."
The speaker delivers an evening satsang, weaving together philosophical teachings on attachment (moha) with the story of Shiva, Parvati, and the quest for immortal wisdom. He explains how attachment leads to suffering, illustrating this with the tale of Sati's self-immolation and Shiva's grief. The narrative then focuses on Parvati's insistence that Shiva teach her the secret of immortality, a secret that is accidentally overheard by a clever parrot, leading to the birth of the sage Shukadeva. The talk emphasizes the challenges of spiritual practice and the need for a true Guru.
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
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How could Tulsidas see Rama?
A spiritual discourse exploring the nature of the soul, divine vision, and the sanctity of the human body.
"The soul that comes into this mortal world is, in one way, caught in this body. It neither wants to go out of it nor likes being in it."
"In every temple is your statue, but I cannot see your face, my Lord... Therefore, we have to understand what human body God has given us. And that is within us, but we cannot see it."
The speaker delivers a teaching on the eternal soul (Ātmā) and the human condition, questioning common beliefs about the afterlife and divine perception. He narrates the transformative stories of the bandit-turned-sage Vālmīki and the poet Tulsīdās's missed encounter with Lord Rāma to illustrate the power of mantra and the need for spiritual alertness. The discourse emphasizes the human body as a sacred temple, discusses the law of karma, and concludes with a call for self-knowledge and devotion through chanting.
Filming location: Slovakia
Human mission is to realize God
A satsang on the mission of human life and spiritual education.
"To be born, eat, drink, sleep, and procreate is not the sole aim of human life; other creatures are also expert at this."
"Rahiman dhāgā prem kā, mat todo chitkāya, toḍā phir jūḍe nahīṁ, jūḍe gāṁṭ paḍ jāya. (The thread of love, do not break it out of some doubt or anger. Once broken, it cannot be joined again. If joined, there will be a knot.)"
Swami Maheshwarananda welcomes parents and attendees, dedicating the gathering to supporting a disciple's new yoga center. He explores the unique purpose of human life, emphasizing the cultivation of kindness, forgiveness, and understanding. The discourse outlines three essential forms of education: from parents and family, from school for intellectual development, and spiritual knowledge (parā vidyā). He stresses that the ultimate human mission is to realize God and unity, advocating for a life of selfless service, maintaining loving relationships, and building a legacy of good deeds.
Filming location: London, UK
The Sole Necessity of Guru's Grace
A spiritual discourse on the absolute necessity of the Guru's grace, illustrated with parables and observations on life.
"Without the grace of the Guru, nothing can be. We may think we can do without it and believe we are okay, but that is not how it is."
"Guru kṛpā hi kevalam. Guru’s grace... When Gurudeva’s blessing is there, then everything is possible."
The speaker, likely a swami, delivers a satsang emphasizing that all spiritual progress and worldly harmony depend solely on the Guru's grace. He expands the concept of Guru to include parents and the supportive community of village life, using anecdotes about street dogs and a detailed parable about a devoted disciple, his wife, and a test of sacrifice to illustrate the depth of true devotion and the singular source of blessing.
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Practice and try to purify your karma
Evening satsang from Strilky Ashram, Czech Republic. There are many beautiful apples, but some of them are rotten because a wasp infected them. When a person is spoiled, the wisdom that he got is lost. In the shelter of Gurudev, if the faith is not strong enough, some problems immediately come. A story about Kabir Das and the butcher. Those who are doing, will get the karma. The story of a man who wants to make problems for someone. Children have truth in their heart. We have to give a good message to the world. The fruit will show the condition of the tree. Karuna from Czech Republic speaks about Yoga in Daily Life helping biathlon athletes.
