Diwali with Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avatarpuriji
Diwali Satsang with Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avatarpuriji in Om Ashram
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Yoga is the science of being Human
The straight path of Kriyā requires strict discipline and rejects spiritual fantasy. Kriyā Yoga is the sure and safe path, beginning and continuing with discipline. Practitioners often start with devotion but slowly neglect the practice, confusing temporary discomfort during intense practice with a flaw in the technique. The discomfort is part of adjustment. Those who remain steadfast see fruits; those who deviate are lost. Many teach without realization, leading others astray into psychic dreams of deities and angels, which is a dangerous distraction. The human body is the divine temple, the Annamaya Kośa, and must be kept clean. True religion is realizing the relation between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul. Fanaticism, whether religious or scientific, is ignorance. World peace comes from accepting our diverse neighbors. Study the chakras sincerely; do not seek shortcuts or confuse authentic teachings with commercialized tantra. Practice Kriyā faithfully without teaching others prematurely.
"Yoga begins with discipline and continues by following discipline."
"Religion means the relation; realizing the relation of ātmā to Paramātmā."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
Knowledge is the Light
Guru Pūrṇimā is about moving from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. Without knowledge, one is like an animal. This light is the inner knowledge within every being. Humans possess intellect, but it is shaped by its education; one becomes what one is taught. Therefore, proper education is paramount, which is spiritual and ethical education rooted in Sanātana values. This education comes from the guru. The essence of all scriptures is the same truth of one God, though languages differ. Today, people prioritize learning English for jobs over their mother tongue, leading to a loss of cultural roots. Sanskāras create culture, culture creates humanity, and humanity protects the country. Guru Pūrṇimā is the worship of the divine being who gives knowledge and is a festival to keep culture alive. Sanātana Dharma is a living dharma, seen in eternal relationships like that of guru and disciple. This relationship will last forever, making it the greatest and most living festival.
"Without knowledge, one is like an animal."
"God is one. God has no name, and all scriptures speak of the oneness of God."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
How our fate brings us to yoga
A journey unfolds from personal crisis to spiritual awakening through the Guru's grace. A life in America, surrounded by material pursuit, led to physical injury and deep questioning. Searching for healing introduced a reluctant yoga practice. Discovering a book compelled a journey to New Zealand, where a meeting with the Guru felt like a destined reunion. The Guru's instruction to teach and later to open an ashram was initially resisted but ultimately accepted. Teaching Yoga in Daily Life in the West reveals a society where yoga is often mere gymnastics and core values are crumbling. The current global situation acts as a collective tapasyā, forcing introspection. True yoga is not sequential postures but the purification of all layers of being, integrated into daily life and simple human interactions.
"Everything is just crumbling. How can it get any better?" And Gurudev just said, "Put it in the fire." Tapasyā.
"I practice Yoga in Daily Life. That’s my job on Wall Street."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
The way to the Light
Satsaṅg is the company of truth that leads to spiritual development.
Truth is the unchanging reality, Brahman, while the changing world is temporary. The soul descends through various births, bound by past karma, to experience life on Earth. Humans possess intellect and freedom of choice, making them responsible for creating new karma. The soul is a mixture of the individual consciousness and the universal Self. Through human life, one can purify karma and realize the true Self. Education and company from childhood shape one's mentality and path. Good society, or satsaṅg, inspires positive development, while bad society, or kusaṅga, leads to distraction and suffering. Temptations like addiction appear attractive but ultimately ensnare. True friendship is a partnership walking the path of truth. One should seek the company that elevates consciousness and makes good resolutions.
"Sat means truth, and that truth is what we call brahma satya, jagat mithyā."
"Humans have a different law... that is called intellect, which has the capacity of saṅkalpa and vikalpa."
Filming location: Moravske Toplice, Slovenia
