A Divine Call and the Search for a True Guru
A divine call initiates the search for a true guru. A vision of Śrī Kṛṣṇa repeatedly requests kheer, compelling its preparation for a visiting saint's gathering. At that satsaṅg, the saint addresses a devotee by name, revealing profound awareness. When asked if one has a guru, the answer emerges from the heart: one is seeking a true guru. Following given addresses leads to an ashram in India. There, a phrase is heard in sleep: "There is nothing in the jīva, but go to the nitya." Travel continues to another ashram to meet the holy guru. An overwhelming energy is received upon meeting. A book is offered, and through grace, the ability to read Hindi is granted. Mantra-dīkṣā is received on a Thursday after offering fruit. Disregarding advice on travel days leads to immediate difficulties, demonstrating the importance of the guru's word. Returning home brings incessant tears and a longing for the ashram. The guru's loving permission allows return. Translations of sacred texts are undertaken as service, a gift enabled by the guru. Further travels and stays in ashrams follow, filled with divine experiences, protective grace, and deep seva. The guru's presence is ultimately felt permanently within the heart.
"Have you got a guru? I have not got a guru, but I am looking for a true guru."
"For a daughter to come to the father’s house, you don’t even have to get any permission. You can come whenever you want to come."
Filming location: Wellington, New Zealand
Up next
Surrender and find perfect peace
Concentration is achieved through steady, lifelong practice, not a single answer. Maintain daily disciplined practice; the inner longing must continue like a tailor's machine that runs while he is distracted. Do not expect to stop thoughts while the senses are active; that one-pointed state is for rare attainment. Therefore, the primary path is surrender, placing the burden of life at the Guru's feet for perfect rest. Life is love; to have love, become a friend. Friendship means two walking the path of truth together. Increase your friends, forgive mistakes, and live doing good, positive actions with meditation and prayer.
"Keep on practicing. One day, you will be in perfection without concentration."
"Prem Hi Jīvan He, love is life. If in life you have no love, it’s not life."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
DVD 204A
Vegetarian cooking lesson 8, Samosas
A demonstration on preparing samosas, connecting the process to mindful practice.
We begin by making the dough from a mix of white and gram flour, with oil and water, aiming for a texture that is neither too thick nor too soft. The filling starts with boiling potatoes in their skins, then peeling and cubing them. In very hot oil, we fry spices like coriander and cumin seeds, followed by onion, chili, garlic, and ginger. This spiced mixture is combined with the potatoes to complete the filling. We then roll the dough into rounds, cut them, and shape them to hold the filling. It is crucial to seal the edges very well to prevent the filling from escaping into the oil during frying. The samosas are deep-fried in very hot oil until they achieve a golden color, then drained. This activity is presented as good practice, with the careful sealing metaphorically linked to achieving focused concentration.
"The dough should be neither too thick nor too soft."
"Press it down because we want to have full samādhi."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
Develop God consciousness
The emergence of consciousness begins with the first principle, Svayambhū Śiva, the self-manifested divine will. The entire universe manifested from a cosmic sound, the resonance of OṂ, which permeates every atom. This planet is the realm of karma and dharma, where beings experience birth and death through the cycle of 8.4 million creatures. The divine play requires the knower, the knowledge, and the object. Most cannot understand this play; only those with grace can. Maya, or ignorance, manifests as anger, jealousy, and desire. Spiritual development requires cultivating God consciousness, which is distinct from material progress. Discipline through mantra, fasting, and silence develops this awareness. One sees only what one's consciousness permits; to see God, one must develop God consciousness.
"Eko’haṁ Bhausyāmī—I am one and now I will multiply."
"You can only see God if you have God consciousness."
Filming location: Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
DVD 240
The Harmony of Yoga and Āyurveda
Yoga and Āyurveda are two wings for the soul's flight. This is a lifelong work of discipline. The first happiness is a healthy body, called niroga. A healthy family is the foundation; parents must remain together with children for harmony. Husband and wife require mutual understanding. Obedient children learn from parents who do not quarrel. Good neighbors are the fifth happiness. The sixth is having a milking animal and a kitchen garden. Āyurveda teaches that every plant has value, as shown in the story of Charaka. Discipline is essential: for medicine like chyavanprāś, follow strict dietary rules. Yoga begins with discipline; Āyurveda medicine begins with discipline. The cause of disease is eating constantly, which disrupts the digestive fire, Jāṭharāgni. Seek advice only from a trained Āyurvedic doctor who understands pulse diagnosis. These sciences make us healthy, grant long life, and aid spiritual achievement. The soul departs with speed, guided only by karma and spirituality.
"The first happiness is a healthy body."
"Yoga and Āyurveda will make us very healthy, happy, and give us a long life and spiritual achievement."
Filming location: Rijeka, Croatia
