Gurudev is a goldsmith
Welcome to the spiritual home. Its atmosphere is a blessing of presence.
You have entered the Ashram, which is a Paras-stone. Contact transforms your substance, like iron to gold, but three qualities remain: sharpness, form, and danger. The Satguru, as a goldsmith, can break these with the hammer of knowledge. This process is a beautiful pain. We are here for lectures on Nāda-Yoga and practice. Questions can be submitted for public or private answer. Prayer and singing happen daily. Prasāda, a blessed offering, is distributed. It grants Satbuddhi—good intellect and thoughts—which leads to world peace. It brings Siddhi: health, joy, and prosperity. The divine itself seeks blessing. True value is understood through devotion, not transaction. Distribute prasāda intuitively, not by counting. We also celebrate birthdays and offer collective prayers for specific intentions. Heartfelt good wishes are a powerful blessing.
"An iron knife is united with the Paras. What happens? The knife turns into gold."
"Prasāda means blessing. Blessing means Prasāda."
Filming location: Strelka Ashram, Europe
DVD 224
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The science of the constellation
The name given at birth should align with the celestial constellation present at that moment. The moment of birth is defined when the child touches the earth. The sun and moon are primary, but all nine celestial bodies determine the constellation. This constellation dictates the first letter of the name, which is crucial for well-being. The specific language or full name is secondary; the foundational first letter must correspond. This is a cosmic science upheld by tradition. Neglecting this alignment is why problems arise. We are individual drops, but together we form a great river in service. The guru and disciple become one through this understanding.
"The first letter name should go."
"Take your name according to the constellation."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Realisation of the Atma
The Non-Dual Reality and Self-Realization: Cintan over Cintā
Advaita means non-duality; what is visible and touchable changes, but reality remains unchanged. Self-realization, ātmā anubhūti, is the direct experience of the Ātmā, witnessed once and forever. It stands as the witness of all worldly changes. Modern human cintan, thinking, is directed entirely outward into technology. This outward focus makes humans lonely, separated, and like technique itself, lacking ethics and spirituality. The purpose for which God sent humans is self-realization, and that inner ability is wasted. Ancient ṛṣis possessed durdarśan, distant vision, and durśravaṇ, distant hearing, through guru kṛpā. Sañjaya received such a blessing from Kṛṣṇa to see the Kurukṣetra war; when grace withdrew, the vision vanished. Thus, mokṣa mūlaṁ guru kṛpā—the root of liberation is guru's grace. The body itself illustrates the four castes: Brahmana is the head, Kshatriya the arms, Vaishya the trunk, Shudra the legs—all four in one body. The ātmā is immortal, everywhere, unlimited, whereas the body and its technologies are limited and dependent. True meditation is ātmā cintan, thinking on the Self, not just any visualization. Without proper cintan, one falls into cintā—worry, fear, nervousness, anger, hate, and jealousy. Cintā creates cracks in faith and dissipates bhakti, like a termite destroying a tree. Therefore, never be worried; take things as they are, for what will happen will happen. The first step of self-realization is to see thyself in each and every entity, bringing reconciliation and oneness.
"Cintā kabhī mat karanā."
"To see thyself in each and every entity — this is the first step of self-realization."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Dharma and Karma
Yoga is the eternal path to self-realization, a source of endless knowledge beyond mere postures. The universal Self, or light of God, dwells within all beings, yet we are blinded by illusion. Human life aims to return to this origin, guided by dharma and bound by karma. Education from parents teaches spiritual principles, while worldly knowledge is far from the divine light. Space and consciousness are balanced in perfect oneness through yoga. Our duty is to help others and all creatures, for harming them is harming the light within them. Purification comes through discipline, meditation, and sattvic food, awakening the dormant energies within.
"Yoga is like a forever milky cow. Every day it gives you new milk, fresh milk."
"If you see yourself in everyone, this is the first step of self-realization."
Filming location: Vancouver, Canada
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
