Practicing from Strilky
The practice is guided relaxation and synchronized movement.
Lie down and make yourself very comfortable. Keep legs together, arms beside your body, palms facing upward. Remove pillows and glasses; lengthen the neck, draw the chin slightly toward the collarbone. Stabilize the lower back, pressing it gently toward the mat. Take a deep, long breath between throat and belly, then exhale completely. Only move when instructed; do not go on your own. With inhalation, slowly raise both arms overhead, keeping them at shoulder width. Hands remain relaxed, not interlocking thumbs or fingers. Head stays still, eyes not looking at neighbors. With exhalation, lower the arms back beside the body. Repeat this movement continuously with normal breath, no holding. Then, place arms beside the body, palms facing down. Inhale deeply, lift both legs up, knees straight, heels pointing upward. Place hands under the hips for support, lower legs slowly without noise. Relax completely, turning onto the stomach if comfortable. Finally, sit for meditation, placing palms up or down as preferred.
“Only mantra, bhajan, and sitting—only these three points.”
“Do not shorten your breath; make it comfortable, long, and relaxed.”
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Up next
Sanskrit names are important
Āsana is a term with deep meaning in the yogic system, which is connected to the Sanskrit language. The word signifies a seat, a dwelling place, or a posture. One's yoga mat is a yoga āsana. The place one sleeps is an āsana. The specific postures, like Bhujaṅgāsana, are also called āsana. The term's meaning depends entirely on context. Yoga is a vast science greater than allopathic medicine, and its proper terminology carries inherent knowledge. Similarly, prāṇāyāma fundamentally consists of inhalation, retention, and exhalation. The Sanskrit alphabet resonates with the body's energy centers, and the language balances the mind. True communication begins with the heart's touch.
"Wherever you sit, that is your āsana."
"Prāṇāyāma is only three: pūraka (inhalation), kumbhaka (retention), and recaka (exhalation)."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Only God can make You rich
A story illustrates the destructive nature of jealousy. While walking, I thought of you. A master once instructed me to recount a tale from 1966. It concerns a jealous man fixated on his prosperous neighbor. He performed austerities, and a divine voice offered a boon: a magical object granting any wish. However, a condition was attached: whatever he received, his neighbor would receive double. Consumed by envy, the man rejected the object, choosing instead to labor in poverty for fifteen years to avoid benefiting his rival. His desperate family later used the object, receiving food and riches, which the neighbor also received doubled. Upon returning, the man's jealousy erupted. He used the object to curse himself with mutilation, knowing his neighbor would suffer doubly, and finally destroyed the object, becoming a beggar. This shows how jealousy ruins oneself and others. Spiritual practice is meaningless without cultivating goodness, mercy, and kindness.
"God said, 'If you ask this kuṇḍ for one million dollars, he will give you immediately. But at the same time, your neighbor will get two million.'"
"He used the object to curse himself... and finally destroyed the object, becoming a beggar."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
DVD 251
A Gathering at the Mahāprabhū Dīp Satsaṅg
This ashram is a center for yoga, culture, and harmony. It is maintained by devotees and supports the local village. People visit from across Europe and beyond for its peaceful atmosphere, clean air, and spiritual education. We offer teachings on Sanskrit, Indian scriptures, and European culture, maintaining a balance. The foundation promotes a sattvic lifestyle, including vegetarian and vegan food, emphasizing ahimsa. Veganism is a spiritual step to prevent animal suffering, like not taking milk from calves or honey from bees. Similarly, parents should care for their own children rather than use kindergartens. Preserve your native culture and language even when traveling; do not abandon your roots. Each country has its own beautiful culture. Yoga, especially the Sarvahitāsana practice, is the essential science for health of body, mind, and spirit. Practice daily. Avoid white sugar and junk food. You are welcome to visit this home anytime.
"Vegetarian is like a vegan, but more... very straight and very spiritual."
"Yoga is a science of the body, a science of the mind, a science of spirituality, and a science of the best practices."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
The Purpose of Human Life and the Wish‑Fulfilling Grace of the Guru
Satsang is rare, obtained through merits gathered across many lifetimes.
Human life’s purpose is not merely eating, drinking, sleeping, and raising family. Animals also do these things. True purpose is coming to saints’ feet to purify the mind. Saints come to unite beings with God and dispel darkness. The Guru is a wish-fulfilling tree, granting according to faith and devotion. A person saw a saint as a buffalo, then after chanting a mantra, saw him as human, then a deva, and finally recognized the divine. Purification of the mind happens through steady practice. Another story tells of a man under a Kalpavriksha who imagined food and rest, and they appeared, but the story breaks off, showing the mind’s uncontrolled state. The boatman Kevat asked only for grace to cross the ocean of existence, not wealth. When going to saints, ask only for devotion and peace of mind. The world is like a dream; only the divine is real. Truth exists unchanged in past, present, and future. God pervades every particle. Always remember the Divine, engage in devotion, and the boat of life will cross. Satsang is a priceless jewel, not always available. Use the body’s support to embrace this joy fully.
"The Sadguru, the divine Lord who comes, is like a wish-fulfilling tree. Whatever imagination one holds, whatever faith, whatever devotion, that fruit is received."
"Bhagavān Śiva says, 'Umā, I share my experience: true worship is of Bhagavān alone; Bhagavān is truth. This world is a dream.'"
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
