Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda speaks on Non-Violence:  AHIMSA means non-violence, love and respect for the freedom of all creatures, humans and animals. Nobody should harm anybody with their thoughts, words or actions. Non-violence means to actively accept the right of all living beings, including animals: respect other‘s needs, respect other‘s cultural traditions and religions. Ahimsa(non-violence) is directly related to tolerance. However, in order to accept others one must first be self-tolerant. As my grandmaster, Bhagwan Sri Deep Narayan Mahaprabhuji once said: "If you would like others to be good to you, then first be good to others. In this way you will understand the Divine within you and within all living beings."

AHIMSA PARAMO DHARMA
Never cause any harm to anyone.
Non - violence is the highest principle.

The main commitment of mankind on this earth is to protect all creatures in all their forms and manifestations of existence. To realize this, it is necessary to adopt a different way of thinking and acting in everyday life. It is important for our existence to cultivate love, help, tolerance and understanding not only between individuals, but among all humans, all nations, races and religions as well. It is also necessary to accept every human being as a part of the eternal cycle. All have chances for individual development and all have duties to fulfill on Earth. Human life is given to serve the God's creation and to attain Moksha (liberation). This is what Bhagwan Sri Deep Narayan Mahaprabhuji told to devotees in the midst of the Thar desert in India, a hundred years ago.

The concept of eternal cycles is inherent to Indian philosophy, not only in regard to reincarnation, but also with application to environmental protection. The most terrible pollution is pollution of the mind. Outer purity alone will not suffice; only a pure consciousness brings inner and outer happiness. 

Modern society is the source of stress, of permanent conflict between wishes and abilities. The loss of contact with nature and its natural cycles is an additional cause of stress. There's no country in the world today which hasn't been in war. Millions of people - children, women and soldiers – still suffer as a consequence of conflicts and war. None know which direction to go, yet finally all spontaniously turn to the religion known by them, to God and the quest for union with Him. God knows no borders or continents. He knows no terms of race, caste, nation, political party or religion. He loves all equally. 

As yoga is the origin of all religion, it offers the answer for all suffering people on this planet.  

Yoga has its origin in Vedas. Yoga is balance, harmony, it means union of body and mind, physical nature and consciousness, of the individual with the cosmic Self, of nations and religions, of all living beings. "Yoga in Daily Life", the system I created for modern civilization, is based on the ancient authentic literature, the philosophy of non-dualism and the principle of Sat Sanathan Dharma (the eternal religion), which postulates that this world has been created by one God who created humans as well as animals, plants and inorganic materials. All creatures are the children of one creator; all living beings are part of one whole family. 

This is the main point of my system, which can be practiced in everyday life. It offers therapeutic help for people, and it is a set of recommendations how to achieve balance of mind and spiritual harmony, how to purify one's consciousness and finally how to realize one's Self. A real yogi is a person who radiates love, peace, forgiveness, wisdom and compassion, and who is always willing to offer help and protection to any living being.

The main aims of "Yoga in Daily Life" the system are: 
•    Physical health
•    Mental health
•    Social health
•    Spiritual health
•    Self-Realization 
•    Protection of the environment

This includes as principles of daily life:
•    love and help for all living beings 
•    respect for life 
•    peace in the world 
•    protection of  nature  
•    tolerance for all - nationalities, cultures and religions. 

The system “Yoga in Daily Life” with its feature meditation technique of „Self-Enquiry“ provides a means for Self-Realization , which allows everybody to find their own personal way to God, whilst at the same time emphasising one's own responsibility in achieving this goal. Unlike some religions, this responsibility for one's life and development remains with oneself. 

There are many ways to find our inner self and God, and Yoga respects them all. Each of us has their own spiritual path and pursues it with different speed and dedication. 

God is seen as a creating principle without form in all creation, which in Sanskrit is refered to as the Nirguna principle (God without form). God manifest in the form of creatures is referred to in Sanskrit as the Sarguna principle. In all religions, God in Sarguna form is represented by spiritual persons, saints and holy incarnations, who spread the Divine message. These days however people find it hard to accept God in Sarguna form and to follow. For those who are still searching, it is a good alternative to view God in mother nature and learn to see God’s creating power everywhere and in everyone. Yoga accepts both: if one believes in the creating power of the universe or in a holy person – both are manifestations of one and the same principle. Each of us explores feelings of unity with creation in our own way, in nature or in holy persons or places.  

Mantra , the essence of prayer, is a holy word or sentence given by a spiritual master to a disciple as a tool for spiritual development. It is a great help for purification and the control of mental thoughts. Repetition of a mantra calms inner vrittis (mental fluctuations) and unites the individual consciousness with the Cosmic One. Mental fluctuations can be controlled and positively changed to avoid negative thoughts and bring inner harmony, purity and silence in order to perceive subtle spiritual feelings.

World peace is possible only if all the religious and political leaders of this globe preach tolerance, recognition and respect for all other cultures, traditions, languages, races, nationalities and religions.

It is a prime duty of all spiritual and political leaders of this age to guide humanity towards clarity through tolerance and forgiveness, to give others rights, acknowledge them and preach that we are all children of the one God.

In the heavenly kingdom there is no duality, there is no difference between religion, caste, colour, race or language. There is absolute harmony, balance, understanding, bliss and unity.

We all belong to the greatest and only one religion on this Earth - HUMANITY.

With the blessing of Gurudev,

Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda
Vép, Hungary 4/5. 7. 2000

A Persian Fable with a Yogic Message

Once a King called upon all of his wise men and asked them "Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and in every time. Something which can help me when none of you is available to advise me. Tell me is there any mantra?" All wise men got puzzled by King’s question. One answer for all questions? Something that works everywhere, in every situation?

In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? They thought and thought.

After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper. But the condition was that king was not to see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he’ll have to see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring.

After a few days, the neighbors attacked the Kingdom. It was a collective surprise attack of the King’s enemies. King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. King had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him. His horse took him far away in the jungle. He could hear many troops of horses following him and the noise was coming closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing at the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished and he could not return because it was a small road. The sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. King became anxious. There seemed to be no way out.

Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was very small but very great. The message was – “This too will pass."

The King read it. Again read it. Suddenly something struck him- Yes! It too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all its pleasures have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. However as those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. Calm came on his face.
He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his Kingdom. The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him.

After a few minutes he realised that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were not on that path. The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his lost empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fan fare at the door. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being thrown on the King from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment King said to himself," I am one of the bravest and greatest King. It is not easy to defeat me..:

With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego emerging in him. Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: "This too will pass" He became silent. His face went through a total change - from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness.

If this too is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just a watcher. Everything passes by We are witness of all this. We are the perceiver. Life comes and goes. Pleasure comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes.

After reading this story, allow yourself some time for reflection.

From Mahaprabhujis Golden Teachings “Do not let yourself be discouraged by problems. Earthy life flows between the banks of fortune and grief. One who loses courage won't reach the aim. Fulfill your duties with inner certainty and faith."