Around the World - 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
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Around the World - The Guru's Light: On Pāṭotsava, Āhāra Śuddhi, and the Essence of Gurukul
The opening of Om Āśrama celebrates the guru, knowledge, and spiritual culture. This second anniversary marks the Pāṭotsava, an opening ceremony for this place considered a wonder. The core teaching is that purity of diet leads to purity of mind and body, which enhances memory and understanding. When one is pure, the divine principle manifests within. The ultimate knowledge is Brahmavidyā, found only in this land. True education must be coupled with cultural values and reverence, not merely academic degrees that can lead to destruction. The guru is the highest principle; from the guru comes the light that removes ignorance. Where a saint resides, there is eternal spring and bliss.
"Āhāra śuddhi leads to sattva śuddhi. Sattva śuddhi means that this body, the physical body, will be as the food we consume."
"There is nothing higher in this world than the guru; there is no one above the guru."
Filming location: Rajasthan, India
Pranayam and peace
Prāṇāyāma leads the practitioner through peace to concentration, meditation, and Samādhi.
During prāṇāyāma, the vṛttis realize deep peace. This brings dhāraṇā, complete awareness of one object. Concentration is like a steady candle flame. From it comes dhyāna, merging into oneness with the object. Knowledge, knower, and object unite, beginning Samādhi. Samādhi resembles deep sleep, where the soul rests. But meditation offers more than everyday sleep. It is not achieved by expecting or forcing. Just be, and techniques will lead there. Prāṇāyāma purifies body and brain. It develops concentration and joy in the heart. The mantra sustains the flow, like a waterfall from above. Realize the ātmā in all beings. Sacrifice kāma, krodha, and other vices. Prāṇāyāma raises prāṇa to the sahasrāra cakra. This brings Brahmānanda. Practice systematically in Yoga in Daily Life.
"Peace and bliss are the result of the satsaṅg."
"In meditation, there is more than that. That is called everyday samādhi."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
How to train our mind?
The mind is restless and must be tamed. A king had a horse no one could ride. Many trainers failed by forcing it. A wise trainer did not force it. He simply followed the horse everywhere, building association. He let the horse come to him. Then he rewarded it with grass and slowly introduced a blanket. Eventually, he gently climbed on while petting it. The horse accepted him. The training took over a year through patient trust.
Our mind is like that horse. Let it run; that is its nature. Do not force it. Slowly train it towards devotion. When it calms, it will return. Grace makes this training possible.
"The trainer was different. He took the horse and simply let it be."
"Slowly, slowly, train your mind towards Guru Bhakti."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
In the home of the soul
Space builds beings, and beings build space.
A true ashram is a space for retreat and contemplation, enabling renewal of physical, mental, and social health. It fosters balance and leads toward self-realization. Yoga is the paramount method for this, requiring only the body, breath, and consciousness. It is the science of conscious movement and stillness, a road to original wholeness. A Guru is one who has cognized oneness, from which all arises and returns. Such beings live for others. The relationship between guru and disciple is supreme, pure, and meaningful. The guru's essence is what he is—Sat Chit Ānanda—and he serves to cure the disease of ignorance, which divides us from ourselves, others, and the divine. Sādhanā, the practice of yoga, is the source of strength to help others and ourselves. Liberation comes through knowledge and the Guru's grace.
"Yoga is the science and art of conscious movement. It is the science and art of conscious stillness."
"The essence of a guru is not what he says, not even what he does. The essence of a guru is what he is."
Filming locations: Jadan Ashram, Rajasthan, India.
DVD 171
