Rules and regulations are important
Sādhana rests upon four essential principles: conduct, thought, diet, and recreation.
Discipline in behavior is paramount, encompassing punctuality and consideration. Thought must be guarded, as exchanging distracting thoughts creates disturbances within the mind and intellect, leading to afflictions and obstacles. Therefore, many masters impose strict silence during practice. Such rigorous retreats, even for corporate leaders, serve as treatments for stress and psychic turmoil by forcing confrontation with internal heat and agitation, which are then calmed by the Master's guidance. Personal transformation through consistent practice affects one's entire environment, bringing peace to relationships. The essence is to speak only what is necessary, avoiding idle talk. Adherence to these principles of conduct, thought, moderate eating, and mindful activity forms the foundation of successful spiritual practice.
"Exchanging your thoughts will disturb you, definitely. Because such thoughts in sādhana create vikṣepa."
"Speak what is necessary. That’s very important for sādhana."
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Awakening within a human body
The heart is central to spiritual development and the awakening of divine joy through Kundalini.
Destiny is the fruit of karma; every situation has meaning. Face destiny to be free from it. The heart feels everything quicker than the intellect. A divine light resides within it, the light of the Ātmā. Every creature with a heart carries God's manifestation. Negative energy produces desires and fear, while desirelessness brings true happiness and richness. This body is a wondrous creation where God resides and speaks. No heart is empty of the divine presence. Harsh words wound the heart, and only love and mantra can heal it. When Kundalini awakens and touches the heart, it overflows with devotion and happiness, leading to bhāva samādhi. This state is the highest joy and a healing process for the body. Understanding the meaning of words in prayer or song allows them to penetrate the consciousness and induce this samādhi. Sound, light, and energy from mantras have a healing effect, traveling through the nāḍīs to awaken divine love.
"When there is a problem, everyone remembers God."
"The happiest and richest person is one who has no desires, neither physically nor materially."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
DVD 502
Humans must have discipline
Rāja Yoga is the yoga of discipline, a lifelong practice beginning now. All of nature exists in perfect discipline according to its dharma, but humans have lost this human nature. Acting against our dharma creates the great problems on earth. A lack of discipline leads to destruction, as seen when impurity in holy places provoked a natural disaster. That event was a punishment for going against nature. Many modern illnesses exist because there is no discipline. Rāja Yoga provides the awareness of this need for discipline in all actions—eating, thinking, and behaving. The foundation is practicing Yama and Niyama, the ten lifelong commandments. Success in yoga depends on this discipline. Formal practices like āsana will follow naturally from a disciplined life, and samādhi will come in time. A Rāja Yogī is ever happy, comfortable, and self-aware by following these principles.
"O human, you should have discipline. Take care of nature."
"If you go against nature, nature will punish you."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Confidence
Faith and single-pointed focus are essential on the spiritual path. Without trust, all practices are futile, like abandoning your own car for another. Disciples must hold to their given mantra with confidence; otherwise, they will be cheated and remain restless. Many are distracted by other masters offering miracles or false promises, revealing a lack of self-faith. Everything needed is within; one must develop in the spiritual womb. Do not seek temporary comforts or jump between paths. Concentrate on one practice to gain everything; chasing many leads leads to loss. The ten senses must be understood and controlled through yoga. Stay faithful to your one path, practice humbly, and do not be concerned with external signs like astrology. Do good and help others.
"Ek sajye sab sajye, try one, you will get all. And when you try to get for all, you will get all."
"Do good, get good; do bad, get bad. That is it."
Filming location: Zagreb, Croatia
A Journey of Remembrance and Reverence
I recently traveled to pay respects at the samādhi of a revered female ascetic. She was the first female Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara in our tradition, renowned for memorizing sacred texts from a very young age and receiving a title for it. She had a large spiritual family of disciples managing various ashrams. We shared a good connection from past meetings at gatherings and when she visited our Guru. Upon learning of her passing, I journeyed through the night to attend the funeral procession in Ahmedabad, which culminated in her burial at a chosen site outside the city alongside other senior ascetics. It was a full 24-hour journey of remembrance.
"She was the first female Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara in our Akhāṛā."
"Her wish was to have her samādhi in Hargośālā."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
