The Monkey-Minded Seeker: Desire, True Wisdom, and the Art of Coping
Desire for supernatural powers leads to monkey-mind, while true wisdom is cultivated through steady practice and acceptance.
Supernatural powers are not gained by mere wishing. A flower grows when an expert plants a seed, waters it, and lets time unfold. A seeker yearned for levitation, yet gurus refused to grant powers easily. He walked to a Tibetan monastery. Monks asked no questions; a bell rang for meals, leaving fasting voluntary. An old monk knew his desire and offered meditation. The seeker refused, demanding only powers. The monk imparted a mantra with a warning: do not think of monkeys while reciting. Instantly, monkeys filled his mind, blocking all practice. He returned to the monk in frustration. Instructing the mind to avoid something makes it fixate there. True progress comes through yoga and meditation. Rise during Brahma Muhurta, touch the earth in respect, then silently touch your parents’ feet. At this hour, cosmic energies intensify your mantra and kriya. Lord Rama’s life was suffering—exile, wife’s abduction, fire ordeal—yet he coped without comparing. When joy comes, be cheerful; when pain comes, discover your strength. Never compare your life to another’s. Be content as you are, while striving sincerely. Equanimity in all circumstances creates a perfect being.
"Do not think of monkeys. Do not think of monkeys while reciting."
"Meditation will benefit you far more through yoga. What will you do with such powers?"
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
Up next
A Message of Peace from Prague
The key to our future is universal unity and peace. I witnessed this spirit in a crowded square where people of all languages smiled together, a vision for our world. Achieving this requires not just public desire but political will. Prague has a historical legacy of promoting peace, from medieval delegations to modern nuclear agreements. Our world faces civil wars, climate change, and threats from weapons and terrorism. I work with parliamentary networks seeking pledges from nations to not be first to use and to reduce nuclear arsenals, aiming to lower global risk. Support these efforts. True peace begins within each person.
"There is only one God, the universal God, only one religion, humanity, and only one nation, humankind."
"Peace among nations is dependent on peace in human beings."
Filming location: Prague, Czech Republic
Around the world - YIDL at the Budapest Carfree Day
Yoga is practiced in the heart of the city on a car-free day. Our international system, Yoga in Daily Life, was founded by an Indian master and has been present here for over thirty years. We have a center that has continuously held classes from the same location. Today, we practiced with children of various ages. It is interesting to practice yoga on this normally busy avenue. The experience proves you can practice undisturbed even here; the curious onlookers inspire us. We welcome visitors to try this tomorrow.
"It’s a very interesting experience that you can practice yoga even in such a place, and nothing really disturbs you."
"Let them also try what it is like to exercise their right on one of Budapest’s busiest streets."
Filming location: Budapest, Hungary
Around the world - YIDL at the Budapest Vegetarian Festival 2011
Yoga in Everyday Life is a system of practice for daily living. We demonstrate its aspects at events like the Vegetarian Festival. The practice involves paying attention to bodily sensations, which connects you to vitality carried by circulation and prāṇa. The system offers recommendations, with a vegetarian lifestyle being foremost. It is not enough to merely be vegetarian; one must also move, exercise, practice prāṇāyāma, and relax. This philosophy aims first for good health, suggesting many troubles originate from the stomach and the sense of taste. Managing this is possible through the master yoga system. Beyond physical benefits, the philosophy makes life easier, providing opportunity to find oneself and ultimately reach the Self of God, Paramātmā.
"Among these, the foremost is to maintain a vegetarian lifestyle."
"He can deal with everything if he is involved in the master yoga system."
Filming location: Budapest, Hungary
Around the world - YIDL at he Sziget Festival Budapest 2011
Yoga is offered as a sanctuary within a large music festival. For eleven years, we provide a daily practice, showing festival-goers how to relax deeply. Many newcomers try yoga here for the first time. We adapt to the fast-paced environment by offering 20-25 minute sessions tailored to individual requests for rest, asana, or meditation. Initial interest often comes from seeing dynamic asana practice. We always begin with simple, grounding exercises, not advanced postures. We emphasize preserving the tradition's purity and spirituality, contrasting with the popular strength-based styles. Our presence in this community space is essential, as many might not seek out a dedicated center. People practice even amidst loud music, achieving a withdrawal of the senses. This demonstrates that deep relaxation is possible anywhere.
"Based on this, our prepared yoga instructors tailor the session accordingly."
"The astonishing experience we have is that at most they achieve pratyāhāra, the withdrawal of the senses, so that they are absolutely undisturbed by what is happening outside."
Filming location: Budapest, Hungary
