Routine, time, place and dose of practice

We have been discussing how to achieve samadi and everybody is taking it that it is going to be a very easy thing just like lying on the bed of roses. But as a yogi I must inform you and tell you that padmasan is most important posture for samadhi and after samadi you can practice in saddasan also until unless you are able to sit in lotus pose for 3 hours and 36 minutes you will never ever achieve even pratar samadi is a far away thing. So work hard with a very focused mind with high ambition in your mind and train your body. So you will be able to tolerate the overwhelming energy which

will be coming with the first experience of you have my best wishes.

ANCIENT RULE OF YOGA

You told us about ancient discipline – when you’re practicing for 12 years in one placed, then roaming around, then 12 years – in another place?

Guruji: then permanently whenever you want to be. It’s up to you then. It will give you enough experience and enough general understanding of the society, how to survive.

that second place must be smashan for the yogi?

Guruji: it’s a final place.

and the first one?

Guruji: any place – I was in Gwalior most of the time.

from there that rules comes?

Guruji: from ancient yoga discipline. Yoga maybe the most ancient thing, available to us. All religions are comparatively very young – if you compare with yoga.

why this second period of roaming is needed?

Guruji: only then you learn so much about people, you will be begging for food – so your ego will remain under control, you will run to be humble. Also you will learn so much, how to behave in society. That is also very important thing.

you must have some qualification to start the second period?

Guruji: Guru decides. You need to be successful in yoga.

with the practice we must to connect with the spirit, which lives in our body. But who wants to connect?

Guruji: you see – who am i? – this question you will find the answer after knowing your spirit. Your mother and father came together – and this body was created. But spirit came from somewhere else. Until unless you will know exactly the name of your spirit and the parents of the spirit – you will never find the answer – who am I.

do the spirit knows me?

Guruji: that’s why he is inside you. But you don’t know him.

but who is thinking that I want to meet with the spirit?

Guruji: only by meeting your spirit – if it is agreed to tell you the name and the parents’ name – then you will know, who you are.

"Guruji, some people don't shave during Navaratri, some don't shave on Thursdays. Are there any such rules?"

Guruji: "The first rule only applies to people who fast all nine days and/or are indulged in special rituals during that time of the year. As far as weekdays go, some people don't shave on Mondays or Tuesdays, some on Thursdays. There are no set rules about it. In fact, I've seen some south Indian Brahmins who especially get a clean shave, wash their hair, and get all tidy and cleaned up on Thursdays. Different regions have different traditions."

"I've realized that around 11pm in the night, I feel a sudden peace inside myself and in the surroundings."

Guruji: "It shows that your body and mind have started getting ready for practice at that time. Your body is beginning to get tuned for it, so now it has become your physical need. This is why regular practice is so important. A set time develops a craving in your body for the kriya practice, and your heart and mind feel an immediate sense of peace. You will be in the mood to practice."

"I thought that peace descends due to the calm of the night."

Guruji: "No, that's not true; the real reason is regular practice. If the night time was the real reason, the entire world would be meditating at that time. Whatever time you choose for practice, stick to it and slowly your biological clock will begin to get activated at that time automatically. It’ll be like an alarm clock.

"After prolonged practice, that mood will stay throughout the day - each and every second. The practices we are doing right now form a continuous cycle of effects. For example, the lunch we eat in the afternoon has its effect till dinner, which in turn has its effect till breakfast. Similarly, the morning practice supports the evening practice and vice versa. And once that cycle forms, the person starts to feel an entirely different level of awareness and consciousness."

"Yes, I do have a high feeling throughout the day. Is that what you are talking about?"

Guruji: "Not just that, it must also be helping you perform better. That is essentially the development of consciousness. For example, any problem you face now, you’ll be able to think of it from different angles and the possible solutions. You'll be able to see things and situations in their totality. I feel only people who reach this level of performance and consciousness are capable of doing extraordinary planning in life. Such people reach closer to the forth dimension we call Kaal or Time, and so naturally whatever they do will have a very long term effect on them and their coming generations.

QUANTITY vs. QUALITY

You always said that: you have to work in full capacity, every practice has to be to the best of your abilities; but I want to ask – if the ideal practice is the combination of regular effort and also quantity and quality, what is the priority in quantity, quality and regularity? Did you practice for 20 hours? Usually before obtaining the results of the Sadhana, as the yogic books say, one has to perform maha tapas. Is the total submerging into practice a key to that? Is the quantity of the practice measured by the hours or length not so important as a quality of practice? Last time you gave me a practice which takes 5 to 6 hours; is it individual or is it intended for everybody?

Guruji: Whoever is qualified to receive such a suggestion. Here the most important thing is: if you do not go for quantity – you will never ever become aware of the quality. Quality is born out of the quantity. Your practice will be elevated to a very different level. Then you will discover the quality inside the quantity. Regularity is the name of the game. Because it ’ s not the bodybuilding workout – we have to do it every day: day in, day out. I ’ ll say also that it will take a lifetime to calm down the mind, it doesn ’ t happen in a few years or suddenly.

Lahiri Mahasaya in his letters mentions 10 or 14 hours of practice – it is definitely not the level for an ordinary person.

Guruji: Yoga is not for an ordinary person – it is for very ambitious people. And the suggestion of Lahiri Mahasaya was meant for a specific person. It was individual.

HOW TO PRACTICE INTENSELY

sometimes when I practice – I feel all that beauty and perfection of the practice and I understand it’s enough – but sometimes I think I can do more?

Guruji: that is doing beyond your limits, ok

should I each time go beyond no matter if I’m tired or I have the pain in my neck – or it should be the middle way?

Guruji: take the middle way and keep pushing yourself. When you’re comfortable in a middle way – do more.

because my heart tells me that everyday going beyond the limit may be not so good

Guruji: so finally you discovered – you have the heart( smiling)

…then only you realise that: that’s why we’re regular and consistent. Suppose something will happen and I will be not able to do full practice: it happens only twice a year: Shivaratri night and Janmashtami night – next day the face look different. It is different than before. Then it takes about 4-5-7 days for back to normal.

could we apply these 12 years cycles to Kriya yoga?

Guruji: I think it applies to every spiritual practice.

so in every 12 years there must be changes in the routine of the yogi practicing Kriya?

Guruji: it’s a mark of evolution: even Kriya yoga goes into the units of 12. I think in 12 years whatever you’re practicing goes very deep into your DNA: be ready for the next evolution after that.

does it mean that practitioner must change the lifestyle or the place he lives?

Guruji: Guru will decide. It's up to the Guru.

PRACTICE ROOM

You advised not to sleep in the practice room; what will happen if somebody does so?

Guruji: You will get unnecessary disturbing dreams – something like that; because your mind is not yet strong enough.

The type of mirror in the practice room matters?

Guruji: The best one.

TO FACE THE DANGER

Warriors are always ready to fight and they know they could die any moment in battle; could this feeling be catalytic for development?

Guruji: The warrior – because he was trained to kill; so he knows how he can be killed also. He will remain more worried than a normal person, more careful.

Why do You think: the feeling of danger gives us more strength?

Guruji: I mean if you’re facing your danger and you’re brave by your nature – then. Otherwise it will make you afraid and you will want to avoid it and run away from it. I don’t remember the name – but it is from the movie: Master, I’m not calling you a coward – but sometimes cowards do survive. Remember that!

THE BEST PLACE FOR PRACTICE

What if the child was born in one country then shifted to another?

Guruji: No matter – genetics and the DNA will be the same. It’s ok.

But in his chart he will be like an American, not Russian for example?

Guruji: It’s written in the chart – that’s why he took birth there. 12th and 9th must be active.

Why are journeys not considered as good for the yogi?

Guruji: What is the reason for a journey? If it is for making money – do so.

And if it is for rest or a vacation?

Guruji: Home is the best place for rest and vacation.

What is the root of this rule – why should a yogin not cross the ocean?

Guruji: The water: 71% of your body is water. So you should find the right place; also water retains the memory – what scientists tell us. If you keep changing water – so many different unnecessary memories will start intermixing with you.

Also the air will be different: so the air molecules of so many different things you will begin to absorb. Then it will disturb your mind and so many different thoughts will start and you’ll think: why am I thinking these things? The effect of the water, food, and air. When you’re journeying – the worst part I’m going to tell – you will have to use the toilet which thousands of people have used before. Maybe hundreds of thousands. If you remain in one place – everything is exclusive for you.

One woman – maybe 130 kilos – is afraid to travel by plane: she said – suppose I’ll use the toilet and plane crashes – and my body will be found sitting on that. Why are you laughing – she was so afraid of that (laughing).

What is the best place for practice?

Guruji: Where you feel absolutely comfortable and happy. And the weather is good. It is such a fine thing to feel with your own mind : if something is always disturbing you – your concentration will never develop. So you have to be in a place, which is best for you. There is no general rule: you will have to find your own place yourself.

Maybe you can create that place everywhere?

Guruji: Then everywhere water will be different, people will be different, food will be different; toilets will be different. What about that? You cannot carry a private toilet everywhere. We also have the saying for wandering ones: wherever you wake up – that is your home. But that’s a different philosophy.

So only when you achieve immortality can you roam everywhere and beg for food and leave the country?

Guruji: You’re free to do – wherever you turn your legs. But the spirit is already immortal and it is wandering from body to body – that is their travel program.

TO INFLUENCE THE WORLD

when I’m in practice – it’s the best feeling; but just I come out of it – I feel everyone around?

Guruji: yogi is suggested to stay away from capital cities. Too much mental vibrations may manipulate.

is it possible to insulate yourself somehow?

Guruji: only if you will become strong enough this thing will stop affecting you.

even after finishing Guru Pranam I start to feel it…

Guruji: You will become stronger and it will not bother you. But it will take time.

If you existing in the world – your existence will affect the world. One day you will influence the world and different creations.

we discussed the connection of the spirit and the gender; but could this difference be seen just looking at the spirit?

Guruji: yes, of course! I will give a different thing today: what is your physical body? It is spirit’s physical expression! Think on it!

We have been discussing how to achieve Samadhi.

And everybody is taking it that it is going to be a very easy thing just lying on the bed of roses.

But as a Yogi I must inform you and tell you that Padmasana is most important posture for Samadhi and after Samadhi you can practice in Siddhasana.

Also until unless You are able to sit in lotos pose for 3 hours and 36 minutes You will never ever

achieve even Pratyahar, Samadhi is the faraway.

So, work hard with a very focused mind with high ambitions in your mind and train your body you will be able to tolerate the overwhelming energy it will be coming with the first experience of Samadhi.

You have my best wishes!

HOW TO CREATE ROUTINE IN PRACTICE

I will say – late evening time is the best for practice.

just before going to sleep?

Guruji: it’s up to you.

have You some recommendations about the food before the practice: how much time before is better?

Guruji: eat two morsels less and start within 10 minutes.

now I have such a routine that I go to sleep about 10 in the evening; should I shift a little bit later?

Guruji: when you get up?

about 7 in the morning

Guruji: ok, you can manipulate your time. But sleep is necessary. Initially you will maybe require more sleep than usual; then it will settle down after some time.

so better leave some time in the morning – if the practice will affect much than to have some time for sleep?

Guruji: you can start getting up at 8 o’clock or 9 o’clock: if you can afford it – why not? I cannot stop myself from dramatic line, that the best sleep is always in the morning time. Better than night time.

I’ve discussed with several disciples and there are different opinions – so I want to ask You about it; first opinion is that you should sit in practice in any condition and do efforts every time to do it better and better; another opinion is that not the practice must be around the life – but the whole life must be around the practice?

Guruji: this is better, yes.

FIRST SHOCK

there is the sequence which could be increased from minimum to maximum: how to decide when you must increase the practice?

Guruji: whenever you’re doing well and you have enough time to increase.

so better start from minimum…

Guruji: of course. Then go slowly and gradually.

I was 17 years old; it was the first shock of my life. My father sent me to some person with some message. I knocked the door; and 6-7 years old boy opened it. I asked: papa is at home? I want to see him. And he shouted: papa, a man is here to see you! That was first time somebody called me a “man”. This was big shock!

about the conditions concerns Hridaya granthi: the yogin should find the place to live not very high in the mountains and not on the seaside…

Guruji: that is the 6th chapter. Because you never know, when samadhi is coming. You never know if something will happen in the high mountains.

and again that yogin must put some kind of grass…

Guruji: kusha grass

… and the deer’s skin and silk: about deer’s skin – how it is possible for the yogi?

Guruji: in the olden times when the deer was died naturally – his skin was taken. Not by killing.

how important these conditions are nowadays?

Guruji: simple blanket is enough.

what about condition of mountains and seaside?

Guruji: by the seaside the air is so humid- good pranayama will not be possible; in high mountains also oxygen is rarely find: you will just be unnecessarily euphoria without achieving anything. Remain in the middle.

PERFECT OR PER FACT

in many yoga texts it is said that mantras should be practiced a huge number of repetitions – hundreds of thousands or even million times; could we apply this principle to the Kriya yoga?

Guruji: I’m sure – if you do 1.610.000 pranayamas – then you will get the right note of it. Because all mantras are vibrations by nature of sound; by repeating them thousand times or hundred thousand times you will get the exact frequency of that vibration. And then it will work.

we’re talking about single pranayama, not the whole practice?

Guruji: you will understand that pranayama after so many repetitions. First – quantity: then you can appreciate the quality. In any art: without practice, repeated practice – you’ll never be near perfect. We have already discussed, why nobody is perfect- as the saying goes: because not many people know the fact – so how they can be as per fact? So first you discover the fact – and after that you can start your training to be perfect.

yes, but only after knowing all You have said before we can know the fact

Guruji: of course, yes

we calculated that if You considered as mantra not the one pranayama but the whole practice; if it will be done 10000 times – it will be approximately 30 years of Kriya yoga practice?

Guruji: it should be like that, yes.

only after that it could be some achievements?

Guruji: deeper understanding will come – that is wisdom. What you begin to understand is called wisdom. Otherwise it’s just information or education.

in any text it’s written that if you chant mantra for 10000 times – that result will come, 1000000 – another effect will come, 1000000000 – than another effect will come?

Guruji: if the frequency is caught then you may have the effect.

how it’s possible to catch the certain note in mantra?

Guruji: if you’re learning well from the Guru and your understanding is good enough – you will understand. And you will know exactly when you’re catching that particular note at this standard. The results will speak for themselves.

Practice and condition

why yogi should not practice in the mountains or near the sea?

Guruji: because near the sea the air is very humid and you never know when the next tsunami is going to hit. High in the mountains oxygen is rarified and it will take so much from you to survive there. You should live where the weather is comfortable and suitable – take the middle path: this is what Buddha was trying to say but they took it somewhere else. Those, who live too long in the mountains – their mind start to become down. They become slow, very slow-minded. Middle ground is always good. Most of mountains habitants among the snow suffer from heavy depressions. Here you see – no depression.

but in the mountains all the processes are slowing down, including process of ageing.

Guruji: but it takes great efforts to survive there. Air is different, water is different, weather is too cold. It’s not suggested that you go there. When you become superman – of course, then you can live anywhere.

what do you think about bathing in the ice water?

Guruji: for Russians it’s fine. It’s not yoga. This is the basic theme because Russia is suffer with heavy winter – that’s might be the one thing to prove that he’s fit. Only the fit is survive. It’s just the test, that the weak will be eliminated and the strong will survive. I will stay away from ice water.

I try just one year for a few seconds

Guruji: what happened after that?

at first it’s very hot but then during few hours – very cold.

Guruji: I feel twice very cold temperature – once in Amarnath and once in Kedarnath – and I don’t want to experience it again. I’m ok here.

somewhere I’ve read that yogis are going to mountains and living in the caves?

Guruji: I think it’s very romantic thought that most of the yogis and sadhus and holy men are living in the mountains in the caves. Look at me: I’m living in the lap if the king of the mountains – Giriraj- and we have good living conditions and I don’t want to live in the cave. If you want – think twice. It will be very hard for practicing yoga. You need good weather and good living conditions – so you can do it in a very relaxed way without any unnecessary disturbance.

Indian hell – the fire is burning everywhere. And some people were sleeping very peacefully in such hot condition. Then Yamaraj asks: who are them? Oh, they are just coming from Siberia – they are just trying to warming here. Especially for Russians and Siberians is very important to have good relations with the devil. He is controlling all fire, and you need fire to survive. So better to have good relations.

YOGA CONVERSATIONS

in pasu bhava sadhak is practicing three times a day; in vira bhava- he is practicing from midday till the evening Sandhya; and If he is in divya bhava – he is practicing all night?

Guruji: so then I’m in divya bhava

but it is about one and the same practice – or it’s a different things?

Guruji: sadhana is sadhana! But this timing is connected with musical ragas also: Bhairav raga is in the morning( Ahir Bhairav); Bhairavi is in the midnight; so different ragas – in different time. Night time for practice is the best.

if we will sit for 4 hours steady – we will lose the feeling of time?

Guruji: no, you will become aware of different sense of time.

so now no matter how much we will ask until unless we experience it – it will be just another concept?

Guruji: by asking you will receive some answer and that answer will make you think. And maybe one day you will exactly understand it – what was the answer. Communication should remain: keep asking!

PRACTICE IS THE BASIS OF LIFE

how to balance the practice and all other activities in life?

Guruji: that’s up to you. That’s no longer my problem(smiling)

I understand that the practice is the main aim of my life; but what about other activities? They matters, they must be on a very high level…?

Guruji: most of them are for passing your time in a good way. Entertainment!

is it a good idea if you have enough money and space to leave everything and just practice?

Guruji: no, you need to find the balance.

could we say that only if we cannot move in some form which we call “asana” for more than 3 hours…

Guruji: 3 hours and 36 minutes – this is the standard given by ancient yogis.

…so then come the real steadiness?

Guruji: yes; and the spirit or jivatma is feeling very comfortably.

but there are only 15 asanas described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika – and a little bit more in Gheranda Samhita?

Guruji: they will just prepare you – and the best asanas, which they also describe – are siddhasana and padmasana, ultimately to remain that period of time.

TO BECOME AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION

If you have suddenly the great amount of electricity – you need some time to learn how to use it.

what is here the electrical network?

Guruji: your nervous system, awaken consciousness. You will try your best – then the energy of Shakti will follow. When Shakti has been awaken and awakens your subconscious brain – you will sit quietly with the open eyes but your mind will be inside with Shakti. Then some union will take place.

is it the state of samadhi without going into suspended animation?

Guruji: yes, much higher state.

omkar kriya is described in Gita and in Gorakhbodh – but not un Hatha Yoga Pradipika?

Guruji: because it’s the result. It’s the very different thing – transference of the consciousness. When you’re learn the alphabet – it doesn’t mean you know the language and can speak in it.

as we discussed before – yogin with the perfect vajroli mudra can change his gender: what does it mean?

Guruji: with the Shakti awaken.

so it’s in Shakti Chalini?

Guruji: how can we separate Shakti Chalini from vajroli? It’s next step – if you don’t master it, how Shakti Chalini will follow? When Shakti is awaken – she has a separate identity. You will merge: so you will become her, she will become you – that is the real meaning.

All development will take three years – but it’s a development of an international champion to join the Olympic games. Three years of intense training to become an Olympic champion. Suddenly nothing happens.

what is world championship here – practicing samadhi?

Guruji: you must be physically ready, mentally ready, smart enough to understand the subject and then Guru finds you or you find the Guru – then it will take three years for the most intense person.

Night time is suggested the best for the yoga practice. Gita suggest it.

RUDRA YAMALA TANTRA (continuation 2)

DO NOT GET UP EARLY

someone told me, that we must be awake at 6 o’clock, because it’s the time of akash element?

Guruji: don’t believe in this, from 4 to 6 in the morning is the best time for sleep. I still can’t understand, how saint men get up at 4 o’clock in the morning.

one guy told that he is waking up at 3 in the night and practicing before sunrise?

Guruji: oh no, go to sleep that time – and practice in the night.

from where this confusion of getting up early came?

Guruji: India was mostly farmers, 80% farmers are there – for farming work you need to get up early. Somehow it develop into that culture. Only I’m saying like this: mostly people are told to get up at 2 or 3 or 4 in the night. My experiences are different. We are followers of Gita – so no need to get up at 4.

how it sounds in English, the words from Gita?

Guruji: when it is night for every other beings, the yogis – or controllers of their mind - they keep awake. Which is the day for others – it is night for them, they sleep.

Guruji, please, give me advice: yesterday it was very difficult to me to start practice because of so much thoughts?

Guruji: thoughts will come and thoughts will go – you must stick to strict routine. Then slowly-slowly thoughts will be subside and it will be more calm and peaceful. Never let them bother you or disturb you.

THE HIGHEST STANDARD IN YOGA

We have been discussing how to achieve Samadhi (समाधि), and everybody is taking it

that it is going to be a very

easy thing. Just lying on the bed of roses.

But as a Yogi I must inform you, and tell you: that Padmasan is the most important posture for Samadhi. And after Samadhi you can practice in Siddhasan also.

Until and unless you are able to sit in lotus pose for 3 hours and 36 minutes — you will never, ever

achieve even Pratyahar (प्रत्याहार). Samadhi (समाधि) is far away from it.

So work hard with a very focused mind with high ambition in your mind and train your body.

So you will be able to tolerate the overwhelming energy which will be coming with the first experience of Samadhi (समाधि).

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR TIME IN PRACTICE

Is successful socializing the criteria of successful yoga practice?

Guruji: I will say that as a result of yoga practice your mind is highly developed and your consciousness is much better – it is very easy for you to socialize. When your consciousness is wide – it’s very easy for you to live with society – with anyone. Only intelligent people develop in society.

Some of Your disciples teach yoga postures; but some people earn money by working in the office; what do You recommend to people who are working for 2-3 days even during the night time and then have a day off?

Guruji: I will say: whenever you’re waking up – that is your morning. You don’t have to go by sunrise and sunset. Whenever you wake up – that is your morning. When you go to sleep – that is your night. Very simple .

…people were asking me: how are You managing Your practice? That time it was like this: I practiced for 20 hours, then had my food and then slept for 12-13 hours. Wake up, get ready, have some breakfast and then again practice for 20 hours: you cannot just put it in 24 plots of a day.

As I understand some techniques must be performed only before sunrise?

Guruji: Don’t practice them: you’re intelligent, your mind is developing – so you’re intelligent enough to manage.

But do some biological rhythms exist for us?

Guruji: Only by keeping us a part of the biological system will we begin to understand the biological rhythms.

when we’re practicing Kriya – which direction we must face?

Guruji: east or north. And the best thing is to face yourself – that will take some time.

what will happen if practice facing west or south?

Guruji: it will be less results – because your earthly body must be in tune with the Earth. That is like harmonizing or tune.

how we can face ourselves?

Guruji: put the big mirror and sit in front of it( laughing) you will see the image of god.

Shiva Ji Aghora face is facing south – so when you’re practicing facing north…?

Guruji: yes, that’s the point. When you’re facing north – hypothetically you’re facing Him.

If I’ve been practicing for 8 years already – at which point, at which level I need to increase my practice to progress? To do more of the 2nd, the 3rd, the 4th Kriya or to keep whatever you gave me?

Guruji: Yes, this is suggested for you specifically – so do it.

But keeping this proportion regularly leaves very little time for anything else.

Guruji: Just manage it; you can decrease the number if you don ’ t have much time. But if you ’ re ambitious enough – you ’ ll manage the time.

So my take here is when you start to go to the gym and the instructor is instructing you in different weight training exercises, in one time, two times in a month or in a few years you won't develop the feel of the weight training exercises for different body parts, muscles. So just imagine, if somebody is teaching you yoga, it will take you many decades to actually develop the feel. And to go deep into meditation and hope for attaining samadhi. So, thing is, keep your mind open, full concentration, full focus and try to understand what you are being taught. Think on that.

so only when you achieve immortality you can roam everywhere and beg for food and leave the country?

Guruji:

you’re free to do – where are turn the legs. But the spirit is already immortal and it is wandering from body to body – that is their travel program.

PRACTICE ROOM

Q:

You advised not to sleep in practice room; what will happen if somebody do so?

Guruji:

you will get unnecessary disturbing dream – something like that; because mind is not yet strong enough.

Q:

the type of the mirror in practice room matters?

Guruji:

the best one.

Q: it’s very popular theory among practitioners that now I will work, but after 10 or 20 years I will earn enough money and then I will practicing only?

Guruji: they are trying to convince themselves – they are so interested in practicing that they will do it in future. I keep reminding them that we all have the very limited frame of time – so it is just a matter of time management; so use now whatever time you have. Keep remembering, that we have very limited frame of time – so use it very wisely and practically.

This is good for business: what is your new year results, what is your aim, what you want to achieve in this year. For us – all years are same. I just realized, why calendar was created: you can pay weekly or monthly.

Q: could the stress be destructible for the person?

Guruji: if the person is not strong enough. In the bodybuilding we have a term – overtraining; in life also same. Lifting weights in the gym and carrying your responsibility are almost same to me. If you’re strong enough – you will carry all the responsibilities; and in my opinion, responsibility is the ability to give response to any certain situation. Only strong men have that thing.

Q: can father or mother practice Kriya yoga in the room the sleeping child is?

Guruji: yes, they can do it.

Q: what else is as necessary as kundals for yogis? Except practice, of course…

Guruji: the vegetarian diet, the very strict sexual life, living in one place continuously for years and years.

Q: why living in one place is so important?

Guruji: because travelling will disturb your discipline. Now you are in a hotel; I will give you the very simple example. You are using the toilet there: in that toilet hundreds of people have already used it, remove their clothes there, shit there, so that sort of energy is still as a memory there inside. When you will remain in one place, you have all things in your own, – it will be your energy that will become more and more pure and refine more and more. After some time it will be simply impossible to use the used toilet. Even then; the food – you never know the man who is preparing food – in which mood he was preparing or what he was done, may be he was scratching some unmentionable place before he cook. Think on that! Discipline, schedule and sensitive purity. And when you are going in the streets many people could touch you, something what you can avoid. Their sweat could touch your sweat, their memories mixed with yours and directly affects your mind. It is always possible. Better to remain comfort financially and remain in one place – create your own heaven there. If somebody wants to learn – let him come to learn. And when you are sleeping in the hotel bed – you don’t know, what people have done there.

Q: could the child present during the parents practicing Kriya yoga?

Guruji: only if it is very small; after 3-4 years it is not a good idea.

Hatha Yoga is a monastery for those troubled by the three
tapas (sufferings). To all those engaged in the practice of
yoga, Hatha Yoga is like the tortoise that supports the
world.
Hatha Yoga is the greatest secret of the yogis who wish
to achieve perfection. It is fruitful only when concealed,
ineffective when revealed.

To practice Hatha Yoga, one should live alone in a small
house in a place free from any disturbances from rock,
water, and fire. It should be the size of a bow’s length, in a
virtuous state, where alms can be obtained easily.

This is how the siddhas describe the place for the prac -
titioners of Hatha Yoga. The room should have a very
small door, and should be without any windows, holes
or cracks; it should be neither too high nor too low. It
should be very clean, being smeared over with cow dung
and should be free from all animals or insects. It should

have an open platform outside with a thatched roof and
a well with a boundary wall. This place should appear as
pleasant.

In this way, living in a monastery, free from all worries,
one should practice yoga exactly the way taught by the
Guru.
Over-eating, over-exertion, talking too much, overem -
phasis on adhering to religious discipline, keeping the
company of common people, and unsteadiness are the
six causes which destroy yoga.