Lecture by Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda at the University of Zagreb, Sept. 22, 2004

 

OM asato ma sad gamaya – lead us from the unreality to reality
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya – lead us from the darkness to the light
Mritiu ma amritam gamaya – lead us from the mortality to immortality
OM shantih shantih shantih – peace, peace, peace be in this world and in the whole universe.

 

Salutations to the cosmic light, Lord of our hearts, omniscient and omnipresent. In His divine presence, my dear brothers and sisters, respected Dean, Prof. Dr. Ćurko, previous Dean Prof. Dr. Franc, respected Excellency Dr. Muftić, former Minister of Science, dear organisers, Indian Friendship Society, it is my great pleasure to be here today. This lecture is aimed to undertake some integration between the science of technology and the science of yoga.

 

I see two kind of worlds. One world is made by God, and one by the humans. We know that the man-made world is not so perfect like that of God. But in the last centuries humans have made immense of development. Human consciousness has developed very much. It is said in Yoga: Mano Matra Jagat – the world is created out of the mind. God's world has been created out of the cosmic mind, and our world we create out of our mind.

 

Technology has made immense of progress and development. But is this a development in reality or not? In medical science it is so that every kind of tablets have many side-effects. You try to cure your flu but you damage the liver and kidneys and digestive system. Similarly we made immense of progress in technology, everything has become faster, but we humans face now the biggest problems and challenges. The biggest threat of this world is not the threat of terrorists but the climate changes. And the cause of climate changes is the human mind. We try to make everything comfortabler, faster … but the side effects are negative. Now we ask ourselves how to safe the world from pollution. Physical, social and mental pollution. Pollution is very hard to control. United Nations constantly organised conferences in last years, searching a sustainable development. We have to ask us, is that what we do sustainable or not. We construct a car, a computer, a machine - but within few years it is not any more useful. But how much pollution it has created and is still creating till all parts have been recycled.

 

In the last century people had problems with water, especially in Australia, Israel and other dry countries, and experts designed a dam system. They built big dams. In Europe, in order to have a safer life, the built river banks. The result is this that hundreds of square-kms nature is dying, ground water level is sinking. In countries like India the ground water level has gone down 100-200 ms deep. Entire nature is dying. Do we call this sustainable development or sustainable destruction? It is very important what comes out of the human brain. You who are students here and will be the experts of the future. I wish that you find some models without creating pollution, without negative side effects, that have only positive effects. Such models I would expect from modern technology.

 

Besides this modern technology can do real "miracles". In Yoga we have the Siddhi of telepathy. But it rarely functions and only some people know it. With the modern technology of telephone the entire world can communicate. But still it creates negative side effects and is misused in many ways. Our grand-grandparents would have thought that it is a fairy tale when you would have told them that we have now vehicles that move without horses or that there are vehicles flying in the air.

 

This university is the future of your country, future of the world. Your professors can help you to give you such an inspiration that you may concentrate and realise on positive development. Create and invent such things, such methods and technologies that are helpful in any case, will not be misused and do not create any negative effects at all. The person who invented the atomic energy did not think that it will be used for deadly weapons. Technology has its benefit but also its great dangers. Atomic energy has become like a devil that threatens the whole globe. This devil to destroy or get rid of it is not easy. Many things in our world went out of our hands. So think about the effects and side effects before you do something. Don’t think only of the momentary benefit and momentary effect that you like and that brings some support in your life. Think also on the long lasting effects and results that may be much more unpleasant and dangerous than the short enjoyment or comfort out of it.

 

For example: You drink alcohol and you maybe enjoy it for a short time, but think on the damage you cause in your body and mind. Do something, find something that brings real sustainability. Man made world should not go against nature, against creation. Be protective, respect the laws of nature.

 

The developed countries, I call destroyed countries and destructive countries, because of the pollution that they cause and that they suffer. So, it is very important to create positive, sustainable methods and technologies.

 

Yoga is not only physical exercises but a science of mind and consciousness. Through Yoga you can develop your concentration and bring your visions and ideas in realisation. For the students in particular Tratak is a very good method to develop and increase concentration, will-power and ability of imagination. It is a very easy technique and consumes only 15 minutes a day. If you are interested contact the Yoga in Daily Life centre in your town our country.

 

Thank you for your invitation. God bless you, and God bless your country. Thank you.

Strilky, 26^th November 2004

 

 

Many people probably did not value the presence of Guruji and His Darshan enough to receive any benefit from it. On the other hand, blessed are they who saw Guruji with their physical eyes.

When a person has gone, then you realise what you have lost. As long as you are together you don’t value it so much. But afterwards you are complaining to yourself: this and this you could have done better, etc. It means that in the end you find yourself full of regrets or you see your own weak points. Then you realise that you could have done better, could have understood more, compromised more, tolerated more, spoken more – but when they have gone it is too late. This could be in many areas of your life, with your parents, your partner, your children, your friends and so on.

 

There are two things that are hard to understand and hard to differentiate: relationship and attachment.  Every human relationship is different.

 

Humans have relationships with nature, with animals, with trees, homes, colleagues, friends, relatives. When at some time a deep relationship has taken place, it puts certain motives into your subconscious. Sometimes you don’t care much about this. But then when it has gone, those patterns come out from your subconscious into your consciousness in the form of feelings, imagination, memories, dreams, thinking, or feelings of loss. This is not attachment, but the characteristics of a human relationship. Attachment is when you only want to have something for yourself. When it creates jealousy, when you don’t want to let it out of your hands, then this kind of relationship is connected with suffering. This will awaken anger in you, hatred, and jealousy. You can even harm your relationship with good friends. For certain periods we think we don’t care. But this kind of thinking, be sure, will one day be the cause of great suffering.

 

Nowadays it is very hard to keep friendships. Humans are separated into many different directions by profession, distance, films, television, internet. Humans have become more and more individual. They don’t care about others. There was a time when all village people lived in their village their whole life long. And they were happy to welcome others, they were happy if somebody immigrated. It was a great shame for a king if his people had to emigrate; it was a shame for a father if children had to go away. Happy and proud were they who could welcome others in their country, their village, their family. Now in this modern civilisation, what we call the modern system, humanity is suffering from four things: 1. Environment – pollution is a problem throughout the whole world, it is not limited, we are all included. 2. Immigration problems – one of the biggest problems internationally. 3. Problems of unemployment, that means problems of existence. 4. Water problems – this is growing every year. Water is already more expensive than milk.

 

All these problems have been caused by humans. The modern way of living, education, thinking – our entire system is wrong. Everything is connected with one expression: “I don’t care. I don’t want to be like that, I don’t want to do this or that any more. It's not my duty. I don’t care about my friends, they are not my friends any more. I want to be by myself…” and so on. If we had cultivated our relationships, pure relationships without expectations, we would have taken care of nature, of animals, of water, of human society and we would not face these problems today. In the past we had to carry water a few hundred metres, now we don’t even want to go 10m away. We want to have a bathroom and toilet in our bedrooms. We don’t even want to have water one metre from our cooking place. We are cleaning potatoes under running water, and wasting millions of litres of water, day after day. Don’t think that you have enough rain and water. Very soon it will not be so, and if there is water, you won’t be able to drink it.  Less than 50 years ago in your rivers there were many healthy creatures, and now there are only bacteria.

 

Spirituality doesn’t mean to pray and pray all the time. Spirituality means to take care of this beautiful living planet. Never think: “I don’t care!”  Don’t break the beautiful relationship with your friends. When you break this confidence you will be more unhappy.

 

Human life is for understanding relationships.

 

Relate with others as much as you can. Never be too tired to make friends, and to change enemies into friends. Never be too tired to work for your friends. This is a part of your success in life. And don’t expect that others will understand you just as you understand them. They don’t know. Cultivate your relationships. You have to give. Don’t expect. Give. When the thinking of “yours and mine” begins, when you divide the world, you have divided yourself from everyone. Don’t say, “this is not my duty.”

 

I was born as an individual, and now I will relate to all. When I die, all those relationships will die with me, that is, they will all feel the pain of my leaving.

 

Kabirdas said in one poem: When I was born I was crying, and people were laughing. They were happy.  You should do such a work, such activities, create such relationships, so many friends that when you die, maybe you will be happy to leave all these sufferings, but others will cry.

 

Don’t become such a person, that when you die, people will say, “thanks to God that he died.”

 

Cultivate the relationship. Not the attachment  which creates anger, jealousy, hate, complexes, that divides you. That’s bad for you. This is blindness, madness. Then you lose the love, the human qualities and then you say: “I don’t care.” Then all negative things are on your side. Then you start to count only negative things.

 

Whether your life will be successful or not successful is in your hands.

 

We should become aware of the environment. Pollution is not only physical pollution.  The biggest pollution is mental pollution. This has brought the world to this point today. We think in the last 60 years we have been living in a democratic way, that the world has been developed – but I say, it has developed towards destruction. So many diseases, catastrophes, wars, pollution – this never was in the past. You are sitting here from many different countries, professions … don’t think always that the government shall do. Government can do when the public helps. That is democracy.  In reality the world is  governed by a few rich people. With their money they produce the things. And you are utilising those things. Don’t be the consumer of such things  which harm our planet, our relationships, our spirituality. We don’t want to be divided, we want to be one. Don’t separate your friends from you. Only money is governing the world. It is a moral, an ethic, a human matter. Love is not only physical between male and female. You can love your house, your car, flowers. Love is an indescribable power. Maintain the relationships, cultivate the relationships.  Not only to humans, also to animals, nature …. Never think, never say: “I don’t care.” You should care about every relationship in this world.  It may be about your house, river, water, washing powder, way of dressing, what you buy, what you eat, your friends, humans and animals.

 

Make a Sankalpa: with this brain I will not think negatively at all, with this tongue I will not criticise. Don’t hate any person. You can hate the action, not the person. You should not criticise, but support and help if someone makes a mistake. Don’t throw one more knife.

 

These are life instructions for you. Maybe someone doesn’t like them because they themselves have these negative qualities. But I don’t talk for one person,  I talk for all who will listen. Understand and forgive. Like Jesus did.  Who lives according to Jesus' words is a Christian. Christianity is not a religion; it is a way of life! And I am telling you the same instructions.

 

How many friends do you have? Count your friends. Are you in oneness with them? Can you take their duty upon you? Can you count on them?  Will you cook for them, clean their windows for them?  Can you do this?

 

Ekoham Bhaushyami – we can understand like this: “I am one, and I will relate to all.”

 

Why are you here (in this lecture)?  Because we are friends. I count on you and I am ready to give my life for you. Nothing is more beautiful than this, that we can see each other from time to time. What brings us together: love. It is like a magnet that pulls us together. ThroughKusang and negative thinking when this love is gone then, although you have time, you will not come. Because you did not cultivate this love, which is like the flame of a candle, and now you have to go through the storm. Exactly like protecting a tiny candle flame in the storm is it to cultivate and protect our friendship in this stormy world.

 

Everyone is supporting the strong one, not the weak one. The same wind that makes a fire into a great fire will blow out the weak candle flame. Our relationship and love is still too weak. It can blow out very quickly. You have to protect your flame and walk very carefully.

 

Our anger and jealousy will harm us. Don’t compare yourself to others. Understand each other. That’s very important.

 

This I wanted to tell you: gone is gone. Then you are sad and think: I could have done this and this. But then it is too late.

 

Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda

Spirituality
Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda (Swamiji)
Perth, Australia 2004

What is spirituality? Where does this term come from? After searching in the dictionary, in meditation and discussion with spiritual seekers, we come to understand spirituality to mean purity. Crystal clear purity. This purity refers to our Atman, to our inner Self. Impurity is in our actions and thoughts. Where there is impurity there is ignorance, darkness. Mahatma Gandhi said: We hate the action, not the person. Therefore it is our action that makes us impure. Hindus say karma, Christians say sin. Hindus say punya, and Christians say virtue, good.

GU-RU, 'GU' means ignorance, darkness, and 'RU' means light, knowledge, and clarity. Lead us from the darkness to the light. This is the guru-principle.

In Vedanta there is mention of three obstacles. All holy saints in this world, it does not matter from which belief, tradition, culture or religion they come, try to remove these three obstacles.

These three obstacles are:
Mala
Vikshepa
Avarana

MALA - impurity

When the mirror has a lot of dust upon it you cannot see your face. You have to clean the mirror. How do you clean the mirror? There are many ways. The mirror is our Citta, consciousness. When you close your eyes and meditate you see your inner mirror. You can see how clear it is. If you can't see anything that means that your inner mirror is still not clean. There are many kinds of impurities that create pollution: physical impurity, and nourishment.

To eat food is not only to feed your stomach. A philosopher said: we should eat to live, not live to eat. Human food is something divine. Annapurne Sadapurne - grains. The transmission of the soul, when it leaves the body and goes into the astral world, enters into the clouds and the rain, and into the vegetation, into the seeds, and through the seeds into the body, into the mother's body. Our first birth in this world is when we enter, second birth when we enter into the grains, third birth into the human body, forth birth into the mother's womb, and fifth birth is when we come out of the mother's womb. In meditation you can see and follow this circle, this cycle.

We all have a different, individual destiny. Everyone is responsible for his/her own destiny. Destiny is a result of our karma. Actions are in our hands, but the results are not. So, we don't know where we will end up after death. Life in this world, and in the astral world, is something very peculiar, and mysterious. The leaf that falls from the tree will return. And maybe in some way and in some form it will return to the same tree.

God has given us freedom to do whatever we like. So do whatever you want. But your have to decide between two paths, where you want to go: up or down?

Purity in nourishment is very important. Also mental purity. Pure thinking. Mental pollution is the most dangerous pollution. All that happens in the world, all environmental pollution, and all the wars are caused by mental pollution. And what is this mental pollution? Money. Money is the god of our time. Mental impurity leads to impure actions. People give money to kill someone.

VIKSHEPA - disturbances

When the ocean has many waves, you cannot see to the ocean's bottom. When you look through a glass that breaks the waves you can see it clearly. The ocean has waves, movements only on the surface. In the deep it is always calm and still. Likewise with the wise, they are totally calm and peaceful in their inner Self; emotions are only on the surface. The more actions you perform, the more waves you create in the mind. Relax, relax, and sleep. Seek relaxation in nature. Eat and sleep for 36 or 48 hours, take a walk, meditate - you will feel like a completely different person. In sleep your brain centres, your body regenerates. Therefore we go on holidays.

Vikshepas keep us from our inner purity, our spirituality. You are very spiritual! You are all incarnations! When you were born you were completely pure. But through certain actions, certain experiences, we forgot who we really are.

Vikshepas can be overcome through meditation. Self-inquiry meditation. Let your thoughts come when they come, and let them go when they go. Just observe them. And suddenly they will disappear. Our life is connected with the moon, with the sun, with the planets. They influence our mind, our health. Many planets are playing in between. Through mantras we can change certain influence and disturbances of the planets.

AVARANA - curtain

Our window is very clean, but we have a very thick curtain, and we cannot see through it. This curtain is the ignorance between our real Self and this present consciousness. That's why we can't realise our true spirituality. Love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, understanding all develop our spirituality. To help to remove the curtain it is good to read holy books. Don't read books that are fanatical and one-sided. We need freedom. Our birthright is freedom. Yoga means freedom, liberation. Freedom, happiness, love, joy are divine principles, our divine heritage. Even a small ant likes to be happy. Put a cone of sugar in front of an ant, and you can see her smiling and dancing. Every creature longs for happiness. Holy Guruji always said: every creature wishes to attain happiness and to overcome unhappiness. Because happiness is a universal principle, it is your reality.

Mantra, meditation, prayer, satsang are very important for developing our spirituality. Without satsang you cannot be happy, and cannot develop and increase your spirituality.

Spirituality means purity, happiness, forgiveness, clarity in actions and thoughts, and no fear. Don't be afraid. Even though you may die, don't be afraid, you can die only once in this life. Pure thinking, pure thoughts, pure nourishment.

Eating is something divine! Don't eat dead bodies, don't bring dead bodies into your house, and don't store them in your fridge. Humans are different than any other creatures. Humans should be protectors, not destructors.

Don't say that you are unhappy, that you are lonely, that no on loves you. Everyone loves you, but you don't love yourself! Be happy when you are alone, then you have time to meditate. Don't torture yourself and others.

Spirituality is not hidden only in the church, in the mosque, temple or monastery. It is also in your own house. Make a spiritual home, a spiritual family, and thus create a spiritual society, a spiritual world.

God bless you. Hari OM

Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda

VÉP, 3^rd December 2004

 

The purpose of human life is to gain and realise Gyana, knowledge of the Self.

 

Recently I read an article. There was a very nice sentence in Sanskrit language, translated into Hindi. It was a Rishivakya. Rishis were the great sages of India. Rishivakya and Guruvakyaare the same. Rishis told about their knowledge of Creation. Brahma has created different creatures with different qualities. We know that on this planet the Creator has created 8.4 million different creatures, and all are created out of five elements. Among these, one is the human being. And the Rishis say that nothing has been created without a purpose. Everything, including the planet itself, and the life on this planet, including vegetation, life in the water, in the air, on the earth, everything has its meaning or purpose. That purpose should be fulfilled.

 

If you miss and cannot fulfil your purpose in this life, you have failed and will have to repeat it again and again. Numerous creatures on this planet have the purpose just to be there and go through their destiny. They do not have any choice. Humans also have to go through their destiny. But humans have got some choice – a choice to make Karma.  First the destiny is created, then life is given. Other creatures cannot choose or change anything. They just have to go through it.  Humans have intellect and Viveka, so humans can decide to do something or not to do it.  Therefore the purpose, the sense of human life, is greater. Eating, sleeping and creating children – animals are also very active in. If humans do nothing else than this, then there is little difference between animals and humans. Humans have more obligations, a greater purpose in life.

 

The main purpose of human life is Gyana, to gain knowledge. Knowledge means Atma Gyana, self-realisation. If you die without this you have failed your purpose. It means you fail the human life. In order to achieve that knowledge humans should lead a very Sattvic life. A life without consuming meat, eggs, alcohol and drugs. A Sattvic life is very, very important, because the nourishment, the food that you take or any kind of drugs, affect your intellect, your Buddhi. And it will turn it to a different direction so that you lose your positive, spiritual thoughts and feelings. The worldly pleasures seem more joyful to you. A simple and disciplined spiritual life seems boring to you. A fly sitting on a sandalwood paste gets a head-ache and does not feel good. But on the excrements she feels well and at home.  On the other hand, when you lock a honey bee into an open toilet in the country side, she will try to escape as quickly as she can and fly out into the garden to the flowers and blossom trees. And it takes her a few hours of Pranayama to get rid of the negative qualities!

 

Therefore, a negative person cannot endure Satsang.  Either they go away or fall asleep. This is a sign of negative Karma and bad destiny.  Mala, Vikshepa and Avarana, these three are covering your consciousness. What treatment can help?  The treatment is Satsang. When the doctor gives an injection of medicine, the first time you don’t like it, but when the injection has a positive effect, then you will even suggest to others to take it as well.

 

Rishivakya, the saint said : “Human life is given to collect and realise knowledge.”

 

The human spirit, human soul, human consciousness, human mind, human intellect, human qualities and human abilities are indescribable. God has given you a divine life, a godly life. You have incarnated as divinity and are behaving like very low creatures.

 

The great saint Achalramji Maharaj said in a Bhajan: “Everyone likes sweets. The best sweet is that sweet , which makes you immortal when you eat it. Eat that sweet which makes you immortal or that gives you the knowledge of immortality. That is a real sweet.”

 

When you put lemon into milk, the milk is spoiled. Similarly there are certain things that spoil your appetite towards the desires. However many desires you have, by that much are you bound.

 

He says further: “You will never be satisfied completely by all worldly enjoyments. It does not matter what you do, the next day you are longing again for something.”  Is there anything that you can take and through this you will not have any longing any more? – Yes, there is something!  When you get a slap on your cheek. That’s called a karmic slap. But this you will get, if you want it or not.

 

There is nothing in the world that will fulfil your desires forever.  On the contrary, day by day, the thirst is growing in your mind. It is like an incurable disease. Having a human body, and you still have desires? You would give up the nectar and drink poison? What a pity. What will be the result of this?  There will be a result. Every action will have a reaction, and every reaction will cause an action. Everything has a result. Every step will be counted. Either you make a step forward, backwards or sideways.  What a pity, having a human body and still having desires. Declining the nectar and drinking the poison. What will happen after this life? Such trouble you can't imagine.

 

Vairagya is the lemon that will detach your mind from all desires. Without Vairagya it is not possible. Vairagya means that from this planet till Brahmaloka, all kinds of enjoyments are tasteless for you. And this is irreversible. When milk is spoiled through the lemon you cannot reverse this process. But you can make something out of it – you can make good Panir (curd cheese) for instance.

 

The sweet that makes you immortal is Gyana. The sourness is Vairagya and the nectar is wisdom and knowledge. When you have tasted that knowledge you will not die, you will be immortal. The taste of this tonic is so sweet and so powerful. This tonic makes you strong. What is meant by “strong”? Fearless. Free from fear of death and birth.  Above everything.

 

Human life is given to realise the Self. Realise Gyana. Without knowledge we are like animals. Therefore Adi Shankaracharya said: “Know Thyself.”  All relationships, all belongings, nothing will help you. All will remain here. It is called a blind Moha (attachment) to cling on to worldly relationships and things.

 

But we are sleeping. Therefore Holy Guruji said: Bhai tuma jago re … “O brothers wake up. You are missing your chance.” And what is the result of this? For lives and lives you will suffer.

 

This is the bitter truth. Day by day, every second that is lost is lost. The past will never come back.

 

You don’t know the reality. Children are angry when parents don’t allow them everything. But they will realise when they are 50 years old. Then they realise the truth that their parents have told them.

 

So, first is Gyana. And second is surrender. Surrender to Gurudev, surrender to God. Ask for His help. If you really pray from the heart you will get it. He can make possible the impossible. He can remove what would have happened. Gurudev is Parabrahman. He can make everything for his Bhaktas. But Bhaktas have to surrender completely. Not little, little …

 

First you offer everything to Gurudev, but when he advises something to you, then you cry, “No, I didn’t mean this!”

 

Thousands, millions of creatures try to bite each other. Compared with the endless universe this planet is a tiny one. And on this little planet all creatures are eating each other. Life eats life. This is Naraka. This is suffering. Everyone has fear. We have fear of our Father's creatures. Every creature tries to escape from the other creatures.

 

Bhaktas are full of doubts. Why this, and why not that? There should be no questions.

 

Bhagata hi vare bega, avo Mahavir… Holy Guruji said to Mahaprabhuji: Mahavir is the greatest hero. The hero of the heroes. Lord, your strength is endless. One day when death will attack us, all our position and powers, physical and mental abilities, all will be finished. Finally we have to surrender. Therefore we call Him the Almighty. The mighty one who is above all. He is the greatest hero. He can rescue us. No negative energy can attack. No magic, no ghost, no blackmailing, no one can attack you, because Mahaprabhuji is there. But he can only be there if you allow him. However, if you have doubts, no devotion, no faith, and only call him when you need him, then he will tell you, “I am not your servant, that you call and he comes.” He will tell you, “Take the hands from the rocks.” He will test your confidence. You know this story. He is the Lord of Lords. Death has no chance. Death is serving him. He is immortal and his body is very powerful. Nothing can harm Him at all.

 

“O Lord, all these negative, terrible people, they give lots of trouble to me. Lord, shoot your arrow and hunt them.” Who are these? Kama, Krodha, Madha, Moha, Lobha, Ahamkara.Passion, anger, hatred, attachment, jealousy, ego. These are the terrible people, your enemies. Only through Guru Kripa can you get rid of them. But you have to invite Him!

 

Like Mangilalji said in his Bhajan: Re nibhana he … “Obey, obey and follow the word of yourGurudev.”

 

Bacana vale lage sa … “How dear are the words of my master to me. Even if he is angry they are very dear to me. Only I know this, it is beyond my expression, I cannot explain to anyone. Indescribable.”

 

If you think and do like this, then the highway is ready for you. Take off.

 

Otherwise there is so many Kama, Krodha, Madha, Lobha …

 

You know Indian streets. You have a speedy car, but there are the camel cars, the trucks, the bicycles … and you cannot come forward. There are so many obstacles.

 

Therefore call the Almighty Lord to remove all obstacles from your way. Whenever Bhaktas are in great troubles, finally the Lord comes. He has to come. But how many troubles!  Think about the Mahabharata, the birth of Krishna in the prison, his mother and father's condition there. The demon Kansa murdered all their children. That is called trouble! Then Krishna has to come when Devaki called him with pure heart. That is prayer! But when we pray we are looking at our watch.

 

Become one with your body and soul, and when you pray with a full heart, immediately He will be there!  Ultimately the Lord has to come and He comes for the sake of his Bhaktas.

 

The last confidence, last hope for all, is only one: God. Everyone can disappoint you, can trouble you and cause pain to you, but not He.

 

O Lord, please cut off the chain of troubles of this world. This chain that has bound us tightly. The Jivatma is caught by the chain of troubles. Only God can bring you out of these troubles and rescue you. Pray to the Lord to save you and make your life successful.

I am very happy to see you all on this very special occasion and that you came to the first Christmas Satsang in Guruji's Ashram in Vienna. You are most welcome.

 

Each spiritual festival or occasion has a great meaning, not only for humans, but for the entire planet. Whenever a spiritual incarnation manifested on this globe, the benefit was not for one particular person or country but for the whole world. God’s incarnation is for everyone. The spiritual energy of that incarnation remains for ever and ever on this planet. The day of His incarnation, is the day to think of others and to bring others to the spiritual path. In ancient times it was the elderly who gave their blessings to all who had gathered together to celebrate the spiritual occasion. The whole family would then share their meal together. To give a blessing, means to forgive. These days instead of blessings we give presents. It keeps the economy flowing, the cash flow. But in reality giving means for-giving: to forgive all mistakes and make a new friendship.

 

Jesus was the incarnation of love, peace and forgiveness. This is what we should believe in and what we should practise. Who cannot forgive has not understood the meaning of Christmas or Diwali or any other spiritual festival.

 

The real sense of celebrating Christmas only can be realized, if we follow the teachings of Jesus and all holy saints.

 

God realization or liberation is not limited to any culture, any country or part of the world. It is universal and therefore spiritual realization, God Realization or Brahma Gyana is for every one, if we follow the principles or rules.

 

Spirituality needs discipline and continuity. Worldly people change their feelings many times and break their discipline due to their worldly desires.

 

Spirituality is very rich food that cannot be digested by everyone. In order to be successful we need discipline. First we have to become free from those negative powers that are within our phenomena: Kama, Krodha, Madha, Lobha, Moha and Ahamkara: passion, anger, selfishness, greed, attachment and ego.

 

If you have not purified these qualities the door is closed for you, no matter how long you have practised! It is a hard work to change one’s inner feelings and qualities. Actually Prakriti (nature) can’t be changed, but it can be purified.

 

Take for example a cat. Regardless if you feed it vegetarian food, as soon as a mouse appears before her eyes she will attack the mouse, kill it and eat it. But of course she does not think that she is doing something bad. This is the difference between a cat and a human.

 

Some say “I don’t want any thing more from this world. I only want to live a spiritual life and meditate. But when a temptation arises, when inner desires come out, then all pure actions and divine thoughts vanish. Temptations and desires have destroyed many people.

 

Therefore we have to observe and guard ourselves like a security guard who guards the whole house from dangers near and far.

 

The ATMA who resides within us is that VIP, that very important person, who must be guarded!

 

The guard is your Buddhi (intellect) whose main duty is to guard your ATMA from Kama, Krodha, Madha, Lobha, Moha and Ahamkara!

 

Otherwise years and years of practise are destroyed. I see many people day by day cut off, because of their weakness and lack of willpower. The inner enemies attack them and they are lost, like a vegetarian cat that sees the mouse and completely forgets Ahimsa.

 

You cannot follow Ahimsa when you do not know what it really means. Put yourself in the position of the mouse when the cat attacks, then you will know! Therefore in the Bible it is said “Thou shall not kill” – it means, not only refrain from killing humans, but refrain from killing any living being! Suffering and pain is not easy to bear for any living being. We are already afraid to receive an injection, so just imagine how the cat bites a living mouse. That mouse may pray and suggest to the cat “Thou shall not kill!” but the cat doesn’t listen because her nature is like that. The cat does not know Ahimsa. It only acts according its nature. But God gave humans the intellect, therefore use your intellect. Use what you have between the ears – your brain!

 

Tell everyone: Do not eat meat! Become vegetarian! Teach them how to become vegetarian.

 

Bird Flu is a great warning for us. This disease does not occur due to the immigration of birds. Birds have immigrated for centuries upon centuries. Rather this disease is due to the unnatural and terrible living conditions in which they are tortured and killed. Now nature has taken revenge and the only solution for this problem is to become Vegetarian!

 

Spread this message everywhere! Write it on the streets, on the bus station:

 

Protect yourself from Bird Flu– become Vegetarian!

 

I tell you, it can come so far that a similar "human flu" will arise, where humans will kill humans as they are now doing with chickens. Millions and millions of chickens have been thrown into the fire and they will put humans in the fire. It can come so far!

 

We shall protect our self to become free!

 

You all know how healthy grapes are. Its juice is its essence. Wine is also the juice of the grapes, but its Prakriti (nature) has changed, and it is harmful. Similarly, when your Prakriti has changed you can become harmful for yourself and others too!

 

Even when on pilgrimage in India or other holy places, many people fall into the trap of temptation. They loose their path and confuse even others. This is a double sin.

 

Therefore we have to learn and to remember those holy souls and incarnations who manifested their divine form on this planet. They too went through great difficulties, because whoever comes into the mortal world is not physically immortal. However, it is only in this mortal body that we can achieve the Realization of immortality.

 

Wise are they who overcome Kama, Krodha, Madha, Lobha, Moha , Ahamkara, Irsha andDvesha.

Irsha is jealousy and Dvesha is duality, fighting, quarrelling with hatred, which divides. If you have Irsha in your heart then all the other negative qualities are in your heart and consciousness too.

 

The holy festivals such as Christmas, Diwali, Raksha Bhandan, as well as the festivals of Judaism, Islam and Buddhism, all remind us about love and unity. Only love can bring unity.However, if there is Irsha and Dvesha there is no unity.

 

When I was in hospital now, I was thinking very much about this. Irsha is so intensive, it is like the needle that pricked my veins. When I wanted to bend my arm, this needle said “NO!” Like this, Irsha is the needle in the heart that always says “No”. For example if I ask Madhu to do something then Ganga immediately is inside shouting “Why Madhu? Why not me?” That isIrsha. If you are like that you are still on the ZERO-point, you are nowhere!

Yesterday I saw a Video about Lord Krishna – a very nice story about God, and in the first episode Bhakti is very unhappy and crying because she is lost in Kali Yuga. Her two sons, Gyana and Vairagya were suffering very much – because in Kali Yuga they have only very little place within us. Rishi Narada, the son of Lord Brahma, promised Bhakti, to make her two sons happy.

 

In this video you see the picture of God. It does not matter if He is male or female. Gods always looks very young, like a youthful 25 year old boy or girl, even if this God is already a grandmother. How is this possible? The answer is this: where there is spirituality there is always youth. Spiritual people never become old. However, when spirituality is lost then also the beautiful aura, the charisma is gone. Look to the aura of such persons and there is nothing, all is gone! But one who is very spiritual looks ever young and beautiful.

 

So, Bhakti's sons Gyana and Vairagya were suffering and crying; that means Knowledge and Detachment were suffering. Narada went in search of God Krishna to ask for his help, but in doing so Narada was full of ego and thought that “he” was a special person and very close to Krishna. So, because of these thoughts he could not find Krishna. He couldn’t find Him in the whole universe. Finally Radha told Krishna, that Rishi Narada was searching for Him. Lord Krishna answered, "Because of his big ego I gave him a punishment…”

 

The master always gives punishment to destroy the ego of His disciples. The right disciple has destroyed their ego, but those who have left the master and got lost – to those the master is strict; but always with love.

 

Finally the merciful Lord appeared to Narada and granted him to re-establish Bhakti, Gyana and Vairagya on this planet again.

 

Likewise you are searching the Lord in Mrityun-Loka (mortal world), searching the king of your Atma and your inner Self. But you cannot find Him, you cannot see Him because of your Agyana (ignorance), because you are full of Kama, Krodha, Madha, Lobha, Moha, Ahamkara, Raga (desires) and Dvesha.

 

This is the clear answer for you and me. If you have these qualities, you know the door to God is closed. But you don’t want to believe it: “I have jealousy in me? NO! How is it possible? I? Me? I am selfish? Never!”– but deep inside you know how you are!

 

Nobody will tell you how ugly you are. All will only tell you how beautiful you are. Only the blind one, the ignorant one asks others, if someone is jealous or selfish. You know it. Therefore ask thyself.

 

If you are jealous to others you only show how far you are.

 

On these Holy days of Christmas, on the incarnation of Jesus – and of Krishna, Lord Rama, Buddha –each gave a message for humanity, and they gave their positive energy for the entire planet, that the whole planet, all elements and all creatures be protected. God is here for every one. Therefore there is no duality, no limitation in the love of God. It is free, endless; every one can have it – like a beautiful lake gives its water for every creature.

 

This Christmas Paksha (Christmas time) – we do not know the exact time of Jesus’ incarnation – is the time of His light! Here it is dark, but in Australia is now summer and they celebrate Christmas in the summer time, on the beach. Did you know the largest number of Catholics live in India?

 

Gods name and Gods light is everywhere. You should realize that He did not come from the Occident (west), He incarnated in the East. Christianity is not a European religion, it is an Eastern religion. Sooner or later this will be realised.

 

The Christmas tree is a symbol of life. Already 25,000 years ago in South India the tradition of the Christmas tree began, a tree to place lights on. But this tree was made from cast iron with hundreds and hundreds of Deepaks (oil-lamps) on it. This is much better than to cut thousands of trees and destroy forests. We have imitated this tradition in the wrong way.

 

Chapter 15 in the Bhagavad Gita there is everything written about the Christmas tree. God Krishna clearly spoke about it as a symbol of life, of human life. This tree has its roots above and its branches below. The human brain and limbs are the roots and the branches are the Vedic mantras and hymns. The fruit is the fruit of our karmas and the light is the glory of our good deeds; to spread the light to everyone in this world. We are born to bring light in the darkness.

 

You are the Christmas tree! Every one who takes shelter near you should find love, forgiveness and light – not jealousy and duality. Therefore purify this Kama, Krodha, Madha, Lobha, Moha and Ahamkara.

 

 

This Mantra is from the Upanishads. “Lead us from unreality to reality”. However we can only proceed towards the Divine if we follow the teachings of those holy incarnations like Jesus. For me Jesus is a true idol and example, such a great example. No matter what happened to Him, He remained on His path. He did not change His opinion even when He had to suffer on the cross. He remained dedicated to the TRUTH. Jesus suffered to bring the message of love and unity to mankind. With His great heart and forgiveness He went through hunger, thirst, name, fame and pain. As it is said in the Bhajan “Milta he sacca…” – “Even if I have to walk on thorns and through fire, my Lord, I will be here for You, because I kno­w … !”

 

The message of Christmas message is very clear: We have to follow the master truthfully and not only eat sweets and cakes.

 

I wish you all the best for your family, your friends and your countries. God loves all creatures and in the name of God we should forgive all and let all be free.

 

 

I wish you many blessings of God Jesus and all holy incarnations,
That this day gives you Sat Buddhi (a positive mind)
To forget all enemies and to forgive all mistakes.
Love everybody and purify your heart!
Blessings for your family and your friends!
And I wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

 

 

 

Of course we will see each other many times but you never know when it will be.
Let us be happy together as long as Mahaprabhuji wishes for us.

 

 

Generally, Gurupurnima is celebrated between July and August when the monsoon season begins in India. At that time, Gurupurnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima. Bhagwan Ved Vyasa wrote and dictated the Vedas and many Holy Scriptures of ancient India. His works include writings on the sciences such as: Yoga, Mantras, Tantras, Yantras, and writings aboutParavidya and Aparavidya. Because he wrote the Vedas, modified them into four parts, and because he possessed the knowledge of the Vedas, he is therefore known as Vedvyasa. 

It is said that Gurudev is Brahmanishtha Shrotriya – the knower of the Brahman – not merely theoretically, but with the realization of Eko Brahman Dvitiyo Nasti. The Supreme Truth and the Ultimate Reality is BRAHMAN – the ONE and only God, the Supreme Truth, light, love, and so on. That is called advaita. There is no dvaita, no dualism. And our aim in this life is to achieve that state of non-dualism: Atma so hi Paramatma. 

There is no difference between Atma, Paramatma and Brahman. Atma is universal but the soul is individual, not universal. Duality is there where the soul is, and the soul is not the Self. The soul is not the Atma, but the individual. As long as we see the differences among people and other creatures we are in duality. 

Adi Guru Bhagwan Shankaracharya said: The first step of self-realization is when you see yourself in every living being. 

Just as God Krishna said in Bhagavad Gita, “I am in everyone – in the cow, the elephant, humans, animals – in all!” 

If you see dualism then there are two. If you see the Atma, then there is ONE! Our knowledge is limited to the form. We see the material world with our physical eyes. We see the forms, the colors. We perceive the smell, touch and sound. But the Atma has no physical senses.Brahman has no eyes, yet sees everywhere and everything. Brahman has no nose, but smells everything. He has no ears, but hears everything. 

To come to know this non-dualism, you first have to establish harmony within yourself and to develop love for all creatures. 

At the time of Mahabharata, Ved Vyasa was also a part of that story. He was the ancestor of the Pandavas and Kauravas. The battlefield Kurukshetra, is lying now in Haryana, near the border of Punjab. When the Great War was over, Bhishma was laying on a bed of arrows. At that time hie he received his final realization. The Pandavas came to take this blessing away from him. It was Arjuna who shot all the arrows into the whole body of Bhishma, from the feet to the neck. Bhishma had a siddhi, the blessing of iccha mrityu, to die only with his free will. In Yoga, this is very common. People speak about that as “living samadhi.” A person makes a hole in the ground, sits inside, lets the hole be covered, and then leaves the body. That person has iccha mrityu and has told beforehand: “Please do not open the samadhi!” But sometimes people feel pity for that one because they think that he does not have enough oxygen in the hole. So they open the hole and take the stone away and what do they see? There is nobody inside! Dematerialized! And in certain places a sound, an oracle came, “I told you – don’t make this mistake!” 

Bhishma had this blessing. It didn’t matter who would cut him into many pieces, he would not die. Because he wanted to know who will be the winner, what will happen with the kingdom of Hastinapur, with the abode of the king. 

Well, therefore he couldn’t die - desire, wish! For that he was peppered with arrows. 

So at the end of the battle, the Pandavas went to him to pay their respect and, being their grandfather, to ask him for his blessings and pardon. 

When Dharmraj Yudhishthira came to Bhishma, he bowed to him, having great pity for his condition, and asked for his pardon, blessings and instructions how to lead his life now. Though he was known as Dharmraja, he asked for guidance! 

Bhishma had tears in his eyes. He realized his mistake and received the knowledge that millions of soldiers lost their lives in vain, how many children lost their mother and father, and so many wives became widows – just for nothing! There was no mercy, no compassion in the war, but when Bhishma got this knowledge he said, “Oh Dharmaraja, Ahimsa Paramo Dharma! Lead your life according to ahimsa. The highest principle is ahimsa.” 

And that was when the word “ahimsa” was spoken for the first time. 

To live a life of ahimsa does not just mean physically, it also means to follow the principle also mentally, emotionally and materially. It is a very hard principle to follow, but follow it! Whenahimsa enters your heart and consciousness, then love, mercy, and compassion awaken. 

That is called the first step of realization – to see Thy Self in all. 

Mahaprabhuji said, “Love each and every entity as much as you love yourself.” 

If you did something wrong to someone then you did it to your own self. This is the first step of realization! 
Therefore, Eko Brahman Dvitiyo Nasti! Where there is non-dualism, there is Brahman. Where there is dualism, there is maya. Reality is that which never changes, but the non-reality does change. Our body always changes but somehow it is immortal. This is because the tattvas(elements) will merge into the tattvas, into the universe, into oneness, into Brahman. Water in water, air in air, earth in earth, fire in fire - it is a recycling process. Reincarnation is a cosmic system and recycling is a biological system but in essence, they both are the same. 

Therefore, Ved Vyasa was known as a Brahmanishtha and Shrotriya. Not only that he knewBrahman and could speak about it, he could also describe, inspire, and motivate. 

Motivation is very important in every aspect of life. Children get motivation to study from their parents. If there is no motto, no motivation, you fail in your life. Laziness comes and you give up the hope of life. Suddenly, you feel alone and that no one loves you. But why? Why should someone love you? 

Love is just your imagination. Yet we still hope and wish for an object toward which we can transport our love. But that only ONE is God and only God! 

Without motivation you will have no money. Why? Work, then you will have money. From where will money come if you do not have the motivation to work? 

Many people earn billions of dollars a year and also pay lots of tax. If you don’t want to work, you don’t pay taxes - then you will live off of public money, which others paid for by paying their taxes. That means you are living from someone's else money which is a bad karma. The system should function. 

The entire system in India has collapsed. One man had to pay 50 crores in tax (equivalent to 500 million Rupees). Some official said, “Give me 25 crores and you the other half you need not to pay.” This is greediness and corruption. That greed brought the civilization into conflict and collapse, causing fighting and wars among cultures, religions, and nations. 

Gandhiji said, “Mother Earth has enough for the people's need, but not for their greed.” 

India was a rich country. At the time of the English Empire, they called India a “Jewel in the Queen’s Crown.” India is the master of the whole world, the Vishwa Guru. Every religion has its roots directly or indirectly from India. 

One European came to Mahatma Gandhi and asked, “What do you think about the European culture?” And Gandhiji answered, “Would be good!” Which means that the European culture does not exist at all. 

We need motivation and inspiration for knowing Brahman. 

Samadhi means ‘three merge into Oneness.’ The knower of Brahman is a Shrotriya who can lead and guide us. That is why Gurupurnima is dedicated to the birth anniversary of Ved Vyasa. 

We call the seat on which somebody is sitting or standing or speaking a stage or podium. In the spiritual language, when someone speaks about God, this seat is a the ‘Holy Seat,’ – aVyasa Pith Gadi. From the chair where I am sitting is coming Vyasa's knowledge. To research that wisdom was, at that time, a great tapasya and hard sadhana. Because it was a “re-search,” meaning it already existed but again had to be revealed. Believe and trust is good, but to have control is much better. The “re-search” took place through meditation. The Yogis have opened the door for all sadhakas who are searching for the answer to the question, “Who am I?” by giving them meditation and mantras. Practice is much more valuable than theory. 

Guru is that one who removes the darkness and guides us to the light. “Gu” is the ignorance and darkness, and “Ru” is the light. 

Who is enlightened and has become one with Brahman, that one you can call God. His consciousness is still in an individual form, but now, what the body is doing has less meaning and value to him. Most important is the consciousness. The sheath does not matter, only the sword. For that we have to make seva and abhyasa for many lives. 

Don’t waste your time in gossiping. Bhai tuma jago re! “Wake up, brothers and sisters!” You are sleeping in the sleep of ignorance and what is the end result of that? In every life you will have to suffer as the result of your avidya, ignorance, and laziness. Who does not meditate, does not repeat mantra, and is not working with devotion, has lost the time! 

The human life is a most precious diamond. And you will not get it again and again! Therefore a thousand things can wait, but not your meditation and mantra. Your devotion should not wait. 

The Thursday, Guruvar also means the day of Jupiter. Jupiter is also known as Gurudev. When your Jupiter is very strong, then all other planets are below this. 

"On whom the mercy of Gurudev is flowing", Guruji said, “that person has harmony and happiness." -Guru kripa hi kevalam, shishya ananda mangalam. 

Seek the shelter of Gurudev and then your life will be successful. 

“Manushya tana se Atma kojo” - search for God and you will find Him in your heart. In everyone, God resides. But adoration should be given to that one in whom God himself is speaking. Otherwise moving here and there has no sense. 

SHRIMAN NARAYANA NARAYANA NARAYAN ….

SHRI DIP NARAYAN BHAGWAN KI JAY

DEVESHWAR MAHADEVA KI JAY

ADI GURU BHAGWAN SHANKARACHARYA MAHARAJ KI JAY

SATAGURUDEV SHRI SWAMI MADHAVKRISHNA BHAGWAN KI JAY

So many factories, so many technologies, machines, cars, ships… Is this really progress and if we call this progress, what shall we call destruction? Manipulation of nature has almost destroyed the natural environment and caused great damage to our holy Mother Earth. Living in absence of spiritual and ethical values has robbed people of the knowledge of their interconnectedness with all of life.

One of the Golden Teachings of my Grand-Master, Bhagwan Sri Deep Narayan Mahaprabhuji is: 

"Never disregard nature or its laws, else nature will take its retribution”. 

There are three great powers in the world: money, media and politics. Money influences the decisions made in the world. Money is what people think about all the time and this will go on until it is realised, we cannot "eat" our money. The media, unfortunately, focus on violence rather than on promoting human values and ethics to educate humanity and foster love for one another. Politics (not religion), is the third great power yet sustainable development and pathways to peace cannot be forged by political means alone. This will happen only when the religious and spiritual leaders of the world are involved in the process. 

The highest obligation for all humans is to protect, not to destroy. This means to protect all of life, not only human life but the earth and animal life too. There is no greater sin than to kill or injure. If we have no feeling for the pain that an animal suffers when it is slaughtered, or close our eyes to its suffering, then it is no wonder that humans must suffer the consequence of terrible afflictions such as disease, environmental catastrophe and war. 

The human soul has experienced many good and bad, pleasant and unpleasant karmic reactions, along with untold suffering. Desire, pride, ego and greed constantly delay us from reaching our final destination. We continue to live in the darkness of ignorance, with anger, hatred and duality separating us from each other. As a result humans are unable to live together as they should. Today unfortunately there is not enough tolerance amongst religions, too little respect amongst cultures and an absence of love between nations. 

It is this human condition that is responsible for the critical situation of our world today – both in terms of war and environmental catastrophe. Mother Earth suffers so seriously because day-by-day humans are destroying her. Our rivers, lakes, oceans and seas are polluted. Our fields, mountains and skies are polluted. The whole environment is poisoned due to human greed. Indeed the most dangerous pollution is mental pollution. How can we hope to achieve lasting world peace and live sustainably without first correcting the state of the human mind? 

Each individual is on an Ananta Yatra – an endless journey. Our individual soul has been travelling since the creation of this universe, but where? Ask these questions: Who am I? From where do I come? Where am I going? Why am I here? Where will I go? 

Until humans have realised the answers to these questions from the depths of their own experience, they will continue to travel. To “know thy Self” is the solution to all human problems and the answer to all of life’s questions. 

To heal the wounds that have existed for such a long time, the first step we must take is to bring Love and Respect into our consciousness. Peace and happiness cannot be bought in the market-place they can only be developed within. A Yogi would say, renounce and limit your needs. Renounce greed, renounce anger, renounce duality and narrow-thinking. Open the heart and give understanding. Understand another’s feelings, understand another’s life situation and grant them their rights. Give them happiness and forgiveness. 

Never violate anyone physically, mentally or emotionally. Never be the cause of another’s tears, since all beings are the embodiment of God and He is the father of all. Everything comes from Him, He is the ultimate. As Bhagwan Sri Deep Narayan Mahaprabhuji said, “Love each and every living being as least as much as you love yourself”. God is one, and dwells in all. We give Him different names and images - we call Him Father, Allah, Ishwara, Divine Will, Love, the highest Self, Truth and so on. There are as many images of God as there are people on the face of the earth. 

Each faith has its doctrines firmly established in very similar principles: belief in God, Prayer, equal Love for all, Protection of life and to dwell in Harmony with nature. Even a brief look at the teachings inherent in Islam, Judaism, Buddhism as well as the Christian traditions will reveal this. The essence of all faiths is spiritual development, with Realisation of God the ultimate goal. Unfortunately religious dogmas in most cultures have over-shadowed these similarities and that is why differences are seen. However Sat Sanatan Dharma reminds us that everyone can attain and realise God. There is of course no universal recipe and each individual must find their own way. 

Although the current world situation exhibits otherwise, multi-religious and inter-cultural diversity need not be a threat to the existence of human society or the functioning of a cohesive and peaceful global village. The Vedas declare that one God has created this world. All creatures therefore are the children of the one Creator and all living beings are part of one universal family. Thus it ought to be the aim of every individual to create a responsible and caring society so as to experience the beauty of life and realise God. The highest precept therefore is to protect all living beings, in all forms and manifestations of existence. 

To understand this, it’s necessary to adopt a holistic way of thinking and acting in life – this will remove duality from an individual’s mind and restore inner peace. The result will automatically be demonstrated in the outer world – humans will recognise their responsibility towards the world and the environment in which we live. 

Sustainable living and lasting world peace can only be achieved if humans re-awaken to the significance of maintaining their ethical and spiritual values, whilst fostering a genuine commitment to care for the community of life with understanding, compassion and love. A culture of peace will only grow out of the beliefs and traditions of people themselves, which naturally transfers into non-violent relations between individuals, communities, nations and the environment. 

God has two forms: Nirguna and Saguna. Nirguna is the universal form of God that cannot be seen with physical eyes. We only can see this form of God with our inner-eye or inner-senses, as trans­cendental streams of light and sound, and recognise it with our mind as divine knowledge and wisdom. Do you want to see God in Saguna-form? Then look into Nature and discover Him in every living being. He is reflected in every appearance of life. 

Respect for Nature is Respect for God.

The Master and disciple tradition came from Lord Shiva. The disciple must develop complete confidence and faith and become one with the master. Just as all the rivers merge with the waters of the holy Ganga, similarly the disciple enters the consciousness of the Master. Traditionally master and Disciple have a long lineage. It is said that God loves all creatures, even more than the parents love their own, and it is in this way the Master loves their disciple more than God. The disciple is that mental child of the Master and the Master is preparing that disciple to inherit their spirituality, their spiritual heritage. 

There are many ready to inherit your material heritage but rare who are ready to receive your spiritual heritage. Also, spiritual heritage cannot be taken by force, it is very gently transferred from Master to disciple and it can be transferred to many, not necessarily just one. You can imagine with which kind of attention, love and strictness I am trying to give to Avatarpuri and to others also. There are many diamonds and I must still make them shine. 

Long, long ago in the Himalaya between Kedranath and Badrinath, high up in the Himalayan peaks there lived a great saint, Sri Alakh Puriji. If you read the Mahabharata, the Pandavas, Kunti and their dog went to the Himalaya to enter the heaven as it is said the path to heaven is there. The five Pandavas went to Alakh Puruji and got his blessing. At that place there flows a beautiful river called Alakh Nanda that comes from the high Himalaya between Kedranath and Badrinath. From Gangotri, flows the river Bhagirath where the great saint Bhagirath made his spiritual sadhana. He called the Ganga from heaven and it came with a great forceful storm and no one was ready to receive that water as it would break the earth in two, so all ran to Lord Shiva for protection and he received the force of the Ganga water from heave on his head. This river of Bhagirath and Alakh Nand converge at Devprayag and from there it flows as the river Ganga. 

The highest village in India, is a village called Alakha named after Alakh PuriJi. Still he lives in his pranic body and very rarely does he give darshan to his devotees. Sri Devpuriji from Rajasthan was blessed by AlakhpuriJi and he returned to Rajasthan with the Shiva’s blessing. Sri Devpuriji could give life back to the dead body and you can read more about it in the book Lila Amrit. 

Sri Devpuriji then gave all his spiritual wisdom to Sri Mahaprabhuji and we adore him as our grandmaster. Then our beloved Holy Guruji served Mahaprabhuji for many, many years and all spiritual heritage was given to Holy Guruji. 

When a disciple receives the spiritual heritage, blessing and gains Atma Gyan, then that one becomes free from karma. Whatever he or she does, the karma does not touch them. If you adore them, their spiritual energy will come to you. If you doubts and speak negatively, all the physical karma of their body will come to you. Therefore the holy tradition is to surrender and accept and develop devotion. Holy Guruji gave me his divine light and I took upon my shoulders that responsibility to take that divine wisdom further to the world. So you and I are those who receive the spiritual heritage of Holy Guruji and it depends on us how we take it further. This is the story of our lineage. 

Before you become a disciple of anyone you should know the background and know the spiritual lineage, otherwise there are many self-made gurus who have no roots. Our spiritual source is from Lord Shiva himself. More you should read in the Lila Amrit. 

Thank you, God Bless you. 

Hari Om.

Today is one of the most beautiful constellations and beautiful days in the year. Every day is beautiful but today is special. Today Lord Shiva is celebrated, adored and worshipped throughout the whole world, where millions upon millions meditate upon him and repeat his name. Today is Shivaratri, the night of Lord Shiva! In every Shiva temple in the world they will perform abhisheka throughout the night – millions of people are reciting Lord Shiva’s name, fasting all day and in the morning they shall break their fast. Why fast? When you fast, your energy is balanced and it is also a kind of austerity, purification of consciousness, with control over the senses to balance your intellect and emotions. More spiritual energy develops in your heart and consciousness when you fast. Each atom in our body and on this planet vibrates today with the energy of Lord Shiva. 

Who is Shiva? Shiva is known as Svayambhu. No one created him, he manifested himself. He was the first creative consciousness in Anant Brahmand, the endless universe. This endless universe we compare with the body of the mother whom we call the Cosmic Mother, and within her that cosmic consciousness resides - it is not dormant, it is residing - like an embryo in the body of the human mother. Within this endless universe the reasonance awakes – Nada– the sound. That sound is known as OM and that sound still resonates in the entire universe, not only on our planet. Each blood cell still resonates immensely with this manifestation of Lord Shiva. 

Awakening of the cosmic consciousness is the manifestation of Shiva – I am one and now I will multiply. Out of his consciousness, thousands of sun systems, stars and planets, visible and invisible elements are created. Shiva was, is and will be. Shiva means consciousness, pure and crystal clear. Shiva means the beauty and Shiva means the Truth. Shiva means the liberator. Shiva means moksha. Shiva is above the trinity. First is Shiva, the entire universe is a manifestation of his form, represented in the Shiva Lingam. Shiva is considered one of the most merciful Gods, with a little prayer he will be pleased and will fulfil all wishes. 

Once there was a hunter who went to hunt but didn’t find anything to hunt. It was time of the sunset and he was in the dark jungle far from home, surrounded by the dark and wildlife. To protect himself from the wild animals he climbed up a tree and sat between two tree branches to spend the night. So that sleep would not overcome him, he picked a leaf from the tree and dropped it to the ground and in order to remain awake and alert he continued to pick one leaf and drop it to the ground. Unknown to him, beneath the tree was a monument of Lord Shiva, the Lingam. 

At the time of the morning dawn, Lord Shiva appeared as he was so pleased that the whole night his devotee remained awake and adorned the Lingam with leaves of the tree. He asked ‘My son, what is your wish’. ‘Who are you asked the hunter?’ ‘I am here to bless you because you worshipped me with the leaves of the tree’ said Shiva. ‘I did not know. I am a sinner, a hunter, I kill poor animals, how can you bless me?’ Shiva replied, ‘That I don’t see, I only see that the entire night you were worshipping me and for that you will come to the universal consciousness of Lord Shiva’. 

Today everyone is worshipping Lord Shiva. Bhakti is devotion. Only that pure love can liberate you. Otherwise there is suffering and I prayer to merciful Lord Shiva to bless you with good health. Health is not everything but everything is nothing without health, therefore the first blessing is good health. 

Om Namah Shivaya! 

When you awake in the morning sing Om Namaha Shivaya five times and then drink your coffee. Sing the Mahamrityu Jaya mantra under the shower. When you leave your house, repeat this mantra loudly, mentally and in your own melody. This mantra is for victory over death and protection against bad things such as accidents, negative energy, negative society and unpleasant situations. The Mahamrityu Jaya mantra is one of the best mantras. 

The King of the death is called Yam Raja and for death it doesn’t matter how you die, if it’s in the fire, in the water, falling down, accident, illness – doesn’t matter. For death it doesn’t matter how much you suffer, the main thing is that you die. Therefore there is the Mahamrityu Jaya mantra to help protect you. 

In India the driver of every vehicle – the three wheel moped, rickshaw, truck, bus, train, aeroplane, private car or scooter – repeat this mantra prior to starting the engine. If not knowing the mantra they will greet the Shakti that is part of Shiva. It is called Gowri Shankara.Gowri is Parvati – she is part of Shiva. The left side of body is feminine, the right is masculine. So before starting the vehicle the drivers pray to shakti in the engine and repeat Mayamrityu Jaya mantra. It is not blind belief, it functions, it is there. It protects us from many things and this evening throughout the world there will be abhisheka of Lord Shiva. They will bathe Lord Shiva in a combination of milk, ghee, honey, yoghurt and turmeric. 

These are little things but very significant, like the Vedic marriage. Your parents will consult an astrologer who will view the planetary constellation of the bride and groom and say whether the two are compatible for marriage. When you marry according to this ritual and vedic ceremonies, you will have happy life and there will be no question of divorce, except in some individual cases. 

Marriage in modern times is called Love marriage, when a boy and girl fall in love and say now we shall get married! After five years maybe they go to council office to get divorced. Love means emotion, sometimes high waves, sometimes no waves. This kind of Love is only physical emotion and very soon it will diminish and when there is no understanding between the two, there is divorce. 

Twenty years ago, ten people travelled with me to India and one was a young woman approaching 30 years of age. We visited an Indian family and the Austrian lady spent time with the Indian ladies in the kitchen. One Indian lady asked the Austrian if she was married and she replied no. The Indian lady asked why she didn’t marry, and the Austrian replied ‘Well, I had a few friends and lived with them but didn’t marry’. The Indian lady was shocked, and said, ‘You lived with them!! So why didn’t you marry?’ The Austrian replied, ‘because I wasn’t sure if we would divorce.’ ‘You are still not married and yet you are thinking about divorce’ said the Indian, ‘You don’t show complete confidence to your husband’. 

Therefore the purpose of consulting the Vedic constellation for marriage is to ensure a happy, healthy and harmonious family life. 

You can spiritually develop even if you live a very hectic life. Repeat mantra. Doesn’t matter if the pronunciation is perfect or not, God knows what we feel in our heart. In the morning when you open your eyes, look to holy pictures or to a photo of your mother, father or child. That will give you the feeling of happiness the whole day. The first impression in your bedroom should be a picture of harmony with spiritual energy, not aggressive energy. Open your eyes and say Lord, my body mind senses thought consciousness and soul I offer to Thee. Guide me, protect my each and every step and thoughts. Lord thank you. Then stand up from the bed. Put your feet on the ground and say to the Earth, Mother Earth, forgive me that I step on you. Thank Mother Earth before stepping on her, it doesn’t take time. Protect me, I am in your lap. Go to wash your hands and thank the Lord for this clean water. Before eating, say thank you Lord for this food. Go to your car and repeat the Mahamrityu Jaya mantra. This is how you can maintain your spirituality in busy times without taking extra time out of your day. 

Additionally, when you work, work not for the sake of the money but work as seva as though you are serving others. Work with the attitude of I am not the doer, God is the doer, I am only an instrument. At the end of the day when you return home, be thankful to God. Before sleeping pray to God. The whole day Lord you were guiding me and the fruits of all my deeds I offer to Thee. I go to sleep and give into your hands my body mind senses and consciousness, protect me during my sleep. 

These kind of actions and prayers do not need extra time in your 24 hours. In this hectic and busy world where no one has time, this is how you can protect and develop your spirituality. Oh my dear friends, eating drinking sleeping and creating children, animals are also expert, you are human so what are you doing with your life? 

Daily consider these thoughts: I am a human. What makes me human? What are those qualities that make me human and how to develop these? What is the mission of my life? 

God gave you this human body, what is the aim of this life? Self Realisation is the aim of this life. There is enough chance for you to develop spiritually and you can do it. You are capable, you have great energy and power to do so. I wish you this and pray to Lord Shiva to bless you today for happy, healthy and long life.