Around the world - Yoga against backpain SLO
The spine's structure, function, and care through yoga are examined. The spine consists of 24 vertebrae forming the axial skeleton, protecting the spinal cord. Muscles and ligaments support posture and movement. Pain arises from acute strain or chronic issues like poor alignment and disc damage. Daily postures, such as prolonged sitting, create imbalance and excessive load, particularly on the lower lumbar vertebrae. Proper biomechanics and the hydraulic function of intervertebral discs are crucial for distributing force. A brief daily yoga practice can alleviate these issues. Gentle stretching, twisting, and strengthening āsanas, performed with awareness, relieve tension, mobilize the spine, and improve overall energy. Consistency in a short morning routine yields significant benefit.
"The spinal cord is the main highway in our body for nerve signals."
"Chronic pains are more complex. They last for months or even years."
Filming location: Slovenia
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We are cosmic travelers
The Mūlādhāra Cakra is the seat of dormant primal energy and the beginning of spiritual awakening.
The red spot symbolizes the third eye of wisdom that burns all impurity. The Mūlādhāra is the foundation, containing all potential like a seed. Its awakening feels like emerging from darkness into the safety of a mother's lap. The journey of this energy to supreme consciousness is long, like a river flowing to the ocean. This chakra is depicted as a lotus, symbolizing beauty and creation while remaining detached from the worldly water. It has four petals representing the four ways life enters this world. An inverted triangle within it symbolizes creative energy; if not awakened, this energy flows downward. A mighty elephant with seven trunks represents prosperity, strength, and the earth's minerals. Within resides the Śiva Liṅgam, the pillar of consciousness, around which a snake representing time is coiled. Spiritual practice awakens this snake to rise, granting vision beyond time. The
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
Self is happiness
The sense of life is to become happy and free from past suffering and karma. Satsaṅg is the best way to attain this peace. Our inner self, which seeks happiness, is a part of God. We often search for this self externally, but it cannot be found that way. To understand God and oneself, one must attend satsaṅg and study the scriptures. Yoga is the union of the self with the Cosmic Self. All who take physical form, even God, must endure certain sufferings according to cosmic law. We are here due to our karma, while God incarnates by free decision, yet He too must accept difficulties, sometimes due to curses. Even a great devotee like Nārada once cursed Viṣṇu, causing Him to incarnate again. This occurs when one's intellect becomes confused. We must always pray for positive intellect.
"If the self is searching for the self somewhere, we will never find it anywhere."
"The difference between us and God is that we came to the world because of our karma, and He came according to His own decision."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
DVD 155b
Karma, Dharma, and the Purification of the Inner Being
Karma and dharma govern the purification of the inner being.
Śubh karma, good deeds, purifies the antaḥkaraṇa—the inner instrument of manas (mind), buddhi (intellect), citta (consciousness), and ahaṁkāra (ego). Aśubh karma, negative deeds, pollutes it. Our actions through the senses and mind create karma, judged by their quality. Destiny unfolds from this behavior. Before facing great trouble, one's good intellect is taken away, leading to poor decisions. Therefore, purify the antaḥkaraṇa through śubh karma. This awakens divine tendencies like compassion and love. When afraid or lost, pray with a heart full of love; God hears such prayers. Dharma is righteousness and discipline. Losing it awakens negative tendencies like desire and anger. Attachment is powerful and sticky. Even great sages struggle with it. Your spiritual practice requires immense patience, like a careful climber. Do not hurry. Look only to your own karma and purify your inner mirror through good thoughts, speech, and action.
"Śubh karma, the good karmas, good deeds, purifies our antaḥkaraṇa."
"Whenever you feel scared, you should pray... Your mind should be full of love."
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
