There is no end of learning
The ashram is heaven on earth, a place of immense energy where the Guru is always present in essence. A journey unfolds through divine guidance, not personal will. A trip to India for Guru Pūrṇimā was redirected by unseen forces, leading one back to the ashram family. Later, guidance came through a spoken sentence about Romania, which led to the establishment of an ashram there through inner instruction, not conversation. A pilgrimage to holy sites in the Himalayas was similarly guided, with paths clearing miraculously to allow darśan. In all endeavors, the Guru's direction is for self-learning. Yoga is a path to discover who one is. Scientific research into modified prāṇāyāma, inspired by the Guru's words, later fostered a university collaboration and a successful public yoga event, where a protective cloud appeared as a sign.
"With our yoga in daily life, it is not just āsana. It is a way to learn about ourselves and to look at ourselves."
"One sentence from Gurudev can change and influence so many things."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
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Guru Kripa He Kevalam
The current global condition reflects a fundamental lack of respect for all life. Humans have disregarded other creatures, viewing them merely as food, and have destroyed forests, harming the earth's balance. This disrespect may be the root of our afflictions. True health and peace require respecting all creation—animals, forests, and vegetation. Our dietary habits must be sattvic, avoiding harm. Physical health depends on disciplined eating, allowing proper digestion. Yet, bodily care is ultimately temporary. Spiritual progress requires a true guide. Without the authentic lineage and grace of a Guru, one cannot advance, like a traveler without a passport. Distraction by desires causes us to miss the door to liberation. Self-discipline is the essential inner staff for the disciple.
"God did not say, 'Kill this and eat this.' That is criminality."
"Therefore, guru paramparā is very, very important."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
Chakras, Nadis and Kundalini
Chakras are rotating circles of energy within the body, representing major energy centers. They are symbolic, not literal anatomical structures. Thousands exist at the junctions of the nāḍīs, the body's nerve network. This system exists for the soul's journey, supported by five bodily sheaths and the five elements. The three main channels are the Iḍā (Moon, mind/emotion), Piṅgalā (Sun, action/temperament), and central Suṣumnā. Their intersections form powerful chakras, like the Viśuddhi at the throat for purification. The mind is a messenger between senses and intellect; do not block it, but give it direction. Problems arise from suppressed emotions, which can manifest as physical illness. Practices like prāṇāyāma maintain this network for health. Awakening energies like kuṇḍalinī requires great care, as improper handling can be harmful.
"These chakras are a methodological representation. You will not see this exact picture if you look within your own body."
"The mind is a river; we should not block it. If we block a dam, we must provide an outlet."
Filming location: London, UK
Humans must have discipline
Rāja Yoga is the yoga of discipline, a lifelong practice beginning now. All of nature exists in perfect discipline according to its dharma, but humans have lost this human nature. Acting against our dharma creates the great problems on earth. A lack of discipline leads to destruction, as seen when impurity in holy places provoked a natural disaster. That event was a punishment for going against nature. Many modern illnesses exist because there is no discipline. Rāja Yoga provides the awareness of this need for discipline in all actions—eating, thinking, and behaving. The foundation is practicing Yama and Niyama, the ten lifelong commandments. Success in yoga depends on this discipline. Formal practices like āsana will follow naturally from a disciplined life, and samādhi will come in time. A Rāja Yogī is ever happy, comfortable, and self-aware by following these principles.
"O human, you should have discipline. Take care of nature."
"If you go against nature, nature will punish you."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Vajra Nadi
The Vajranāḍī is the root of immunity and the regulator of prāṇa. Yogic science describes a network of 72,000 nāḍīs through which prāṇa, or life energy, flows. Modern medical science often conflicts with this view, denying the existence of these channels and the central nāḍīs: Iḍā, Piṅgalā, and Suṣumnā. Blockages in these energy pathways cause disease. The Vajranāḍī is crucial; it functions like an electrical earth, balancing the system and controlling all other nāḍīs. Its health is governed from the Maṇipūra Cakra at the navel. When the Vajranāḍī is weak, prāṇa flow diminishes, leading to blockages and illness. Prāṇāyāma purifies these channels. Specific practices like Vajrāsana and toe movements strengthen the Vajranāḍī, which is vital for immunity. The sound and nectar of creation originate from the navel. All bodily functions are guided by prāṇa, which is the essence of life.
"Guru caraṇo me yād sat tīrat hai, wo Veda purāṇa me gāte hai."
"The Vajranāḍī in the body controls all the nerves, 72,000, and that functions like earthing for electricity."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
