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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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
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
There is no end of learning
The ashram is heaven on earth, a place of immense energy where the Guru is always present in essence. A journey unfolds through divine guidance, not personal will. A trip to India for Guru Pūrṇimā was redirected by unseen forces, leading one back to the ashram family. Later, guidance came through a spoken sentence about Romania, which led to the establishment of an ashram there through inner instruction, not conversation. A pilgrimage to holy sites in the Himalayas was similarly guided, with paths clearing miraculously to allow darśan. In all endeavors, the Guru's direction is for self-learning. Yoga is a path to discover who one is. Scientific research into modified prāṇāyāma, inspired by the Guru's words, later fostered a university collaboration and a successful public yoga event, where a protective cloud appeared as a sign.
"With our yoga in daily life, it is not just āsana. It is a way to learn about ourselves and to look at ourselves."
"One sentence from Gurudev can change and influence so many things."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Your faith is Your liberator
The mission of human life is self-realization. Today commemorates the victory of truth over falsehood. To navigate life successfully, ask five questions daily. First, remember "I am a human," which awakens inner discernment to avoid negative actions. Human qualities like knowledge, kindness, and forgiveness distinguish us; these hidden treasures must be protected. Neglecting these qualities for negative thoughts spoils them, like lemon in milk. Dry intellect without devotion is lost. The prime mission is not worldly achievements but Ātmā-jñāna, realizing the universal Self within all. This human birth offers unique tools for this purpose. Life is a transient theater; we must use our time to realize the immortal Ātmā. Liberation requires sincere practice and unshakable faith in the guiding grace.
"God does not want these tricks. God Kṛṣṇa, Gopāla, is happy when you are doing really with an honest heart, with love."
"In this Kali Yuga, we have only one hope: the name of God, mantra, your mantra. Repeat and repeat and repeat. O human, you will cross the ocean."
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
DVD 386
