Breaking Trail

Repetition of a certain behaviour creates habits, and many of those truly control our lives. We may have some good habits, bad ones, or even some really ugly ones. We all know that it is very easy to get into bad habits - you do not need to make an effort to do it. But while bad habits start with some sweet taste to them, they always turn out very bitter.

In this episode we take a closer look at how we with knowledge and determination can make good choices and get good results for our lives. The tendency to cheat is built in in the human form of life; that is why we have guidelines to prevent us starting on a path that leads to mistakes & misery. Knowledge allows us to make a conscious decision on where we want to go.

In this context, we touch upon the difference between animals and humans; namely that being in a human form of life, we are not just controlled by instinct but have the facility to choose between good or bad decisions. Choices based on knowledge and determination lead to good results, while choices made in ignorance produce bad results.

You’ll also hear how the Bhakti Yoga process gives us many opportunities to develop good habits; habits that function as an investment for our future wellbeing (for example, listening to this podcast!). And how we can be free from expecting other peoples' praise about our achievements through uncovering our true spiritual nature and intrinsic value. In the end the question really boils down to: where do I want to end up, in a good or bad situation?

Highlights:

• (1:41) A recent study found that those who followed a plant-based diet (as recommended in the Vedas) had 73% lower odds of developing moderate to severe COVID19
• (10:39) There is no ‘magical pill’ - hard work is required to achieve the results we want. Good habits may appear difficult, while bad habits start off easy and yield a very difficult end result.
• (21:56) Habits are a spiritual concept. The Bhakti Yoga system is filled with guidelines and promotes a lifestyle with recommended daily activities/habits that leads to a very bright & fulfilling life.
• (31:31) How to avoid the pitfall where good habits become a source of false pride, simply a means by which we are recognized by others.
• (39:10) The topmost ‘good habit’ is hearing and repeating the absolute truth. Practice becomes habit, and habits have the strength to take us through any difficulty.
• (53:21) “By keeping regular habits and eating simple food, any man can maintain his health. Overeating, over-sense gratification, over dependence on another’s mercy, and artificial standards of living sap the very vitality of human energy.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 1:1:10, purport

Recorded on June 28, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/22

Episode links:

• ‘Plant-based diets, pescatarian diets and COVID-19 severity: a population-based case–control study in six countries’: https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2021/05/18/bmjnph-2021-000272

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“For one who is born, death is certain” - Bhagavad-gita 2.27

A few months ago, a friend of ours started having a minor headache. The day afterwards, it got a lot worse with vomiting and extreme pain. She went into a coma. The doctors diagnosed her with brain cancer. The day after, they operated and found out that the brain was already dead. From perfectly healthy to leaving her body - it was all over in 4 days.

Death is probably one of the most painful and scary experiences in life. We are usually trying to run away from this uncomfortable subject, so much so that we don’t want to talk or even think about it. We are not only afraid of our own death, but more so - we do not want to lose the ones we love. We know that this will break our heart and bring painful separation. But the truth is; we all have a terminal illness, and every second brings us closer to death. And death is the final exam of our life.

In this episode we share the story of our friend, and how she passed this exam through daily activities and decisions that promoted spiritual growth. You’ll hear how the foundation is understanding that we and our loved ones are all spirit souls - part and parcel of the Supreme Soul - and our nature is eternal, wise, and blissful. And we need knowledge and guidance coming from a living spiritual teacher, someone who is above illusions. We speak about how the karmic reactions actually decide how much time we have in this lifetime, and how we can choose to come to terms with death and learn how to prepare for it.

We also look at the importance of a daily mantra meditation practice, something that helps us to transcend this material world even before we actually leave our body. We describe how the whole Vedic system aims at directing people to knowing their constitutional position. It provides a step by step process for gradual purification and different practices according to each person's consciousness.

Highlights:

• (2:47) Coming to understand the truth of your identity is the foundation of knowledge that will cover all aspects of life, including how to leave this world
• (7:53) People that do extreme things in the outdoors often say they do it to “learn about themselves” - but really, they learn only about the limits of the body & mind. The danger is a sense of false self-reliance.
• (10:30) A real life story of our friend that left this world successfully after being diagnosed with brain cancer
• (31:17) We find bliss in spirituality - the real fruit is in knowledge. No need to speculate, you can have real experiences.
• (35:18) Your consciousness determines your future, and what actions you take in this life determines your consciousness.
• (46:12) The gradual advancement of spiritual consciousness is centred around accepting a higher authority
• (59:51) Developing our relationship to the Supreme Soul will transfer us smoothly and safely away from this body and back home to the spiritual world.

Recorded on June 7, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/21

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We all know that alcohol abuse causes tremendous negative impacts for individuals and society. The cost of excessive alcohol use in the US alone reaches around $249 billion every year. And the aggression and violence that comes from such an abuse has tremendous impacts through broken families, traumatised children, etc.

But a recent scientific study of 25 000 individuals point to the fact that there is no safe amount, that all alcohol consumption is harmful to the brain - something the Vedas have made clear since time immemorial. In this episode we take a closer look at the most wide-spread drug of all. We speak about the idea that ‘everything that exists in nature is meant for humans to consume’ - actually, the reality is that we need to be selective, because different substances that we take in to our bodies bring us into different states of consciousness.

You’ll also hear us talk about how people use intoxicants like alcohol as a way to escape pain and misery, and why this never will produce a good result. Another aspect we touch upon is that all activities we engage in have repercussions (karmic reactions), whether in this lifetime or in future lifetimes. And as society become increasingly based on sense pleasure, there are less and less restrictions to any type conduct, and moral codes are disappearing. You’ll hear us talk about how we no longer have a clear compass to follow, how people are supported to act based on their lust - but lust always leads to anger.

Another important aspect we discuss in recovering from alcohol abuse is that one cannot do it alone. Surrendering to a higher power plays a completely central part in the most successful recovery programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Highlights:

• (2:25) Is everything in nature natural/good for us? Peace vs. anxiety
• (8:24) A scientific look at alcohol's effect on the human brain
• (24:46) We are so far away from what real fun is, that we have to turn to alternate states of consciousness
• (27:40) Everyone wants liberation; the Vedas teach real liberation
• (42:39) We want to be able to redirect the mind into a favourable direction, that’s why alcohol is not beneficial for us
• (52:11) The link between mass shootings and our hedonistic society
• (1:08:28) Choose a life that is beneficial for you physically, mentally and spiritually - and help others by inspiring them to do the same

Recorded on May 31, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/20

Episode links:

• ‘No safe amount’ - All alcohol consumption ‘harmful to the brain’: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/no-safe-amount-all-alcohol-consumption-harmful-to-the-brain-1.4569266

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When we go for winter hikes in freezing temperature, knowing that unforeseen things may happen and that the cold can create dangerous situations, we prepare for it properly and adjust our clothing, food, travel plans, etc. Just like that, in our last talk we described how this is a difficult time period - Kali Yuga, the age of chaos and confusion.

The Vedic literature gives an answer to this question by strongly recommending the process of chanting of the mantras - giving the best protection in the age of kali.

Highlights:

• (6:37) Lessons from the catastrophic ultra marathon in China where 21 participants died as they were not prepared for the mountain weather: we should prepare for inevitable events in our life according to authority, not to our own whims or faulty teachings
• (11:07) The real meaning of the saying, “Live for today, live today as if it was your last day” is not to promote sense enjoyment, but to take it seriously and start finding shelter in that which (unlike this world) does not change
• (24:41) The process of spiritual life is different in the four yugas, as the consciousness of the people are different. Following the particular process of Kali Yuga, we prepare for "winter time" in life - as well as in our life after death. So what is the particular practice recommended in kali yuga?
• (47:57) A nice short story that reveals the natural attraction to the chanting of mantras and how it spreads
• (58:28) The four pillars of real religion leads to a properly functioning society. When these pillars gradually are removed, the chance for having a healthy & happy society also disappear.
• (1:01:59) Success should be measured in “How happy am I, am I peaceful, is my internal state stable, am I satisfied?” and not in “How much money do I have, how big a house do I have, am I having a successful career?”

Recorded on May 24, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/19

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Kali Yuga - the age of chaos and confusion, the age of conflicts and wars, duplicity and corruption. This is the time epoch we are living in right now. Just as we have seconds, year, minutes, millennia, we also have 4 time periods - each with a certain duration, and each with particular characteristics.

If you’d like to see proof, just go online, listen to the news or read the newspaper - and you will see the full spectrum of Kali yuga. Surprisingly, in the Vedic literature, written over 5000 years ago, Kali yuga was predicted and is explained in detail. In this episode, we’ll be reading from the ancient Vedic scripture Srimad Bhagavatam about the characteristics of society and individuals during Kali yuga.

We’ll be speaking about how this world, including our very own bodies, are temporary - and how learning the nature of this world and our actual position leads to peace and understanding. Balakhilya explains how in the beginning of this yuga, many saintly persons gathered together to discuss what they could do to help people in this age. We now have the opportunity to learn from them about how to live a happy and peaceful life in this age. We also peak about how there are so many negative influences in the Kali yuga, and to become aware of these is essential for success on our journey forward.

Highlights:

• (10:21) Yugas are long periods of time that continuously rotate, just like the seasons change in a year. Kali Yuga: the age of chaos, quarrel and confusion.
• (25:00) Description of humans in the age of Kali; “They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky, and above all, always disturbed.”
• (32:00) We can learn from saintly persons how to live happy and peaceful life in this difficult time period
• (40:06) By learning what self-realization actually means, we may spark a natural interest in the subject
• (49:05) Learning the temporary nature of this world, and our position in it, leads to great peace and understanding
• (59:28) To learn about the negative influences during Kali yuga is essential on our journey forward

Recorded on May 17, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/18

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Jesus said, “Don’t build your house on the sea shore in low tide”. The truth is, it’s our nature to have a permanent, stable situation. That’s why everybody’s trying to achieve it. Because in the spiritual world, there is no birth, no death - you’re not struggling to hold on to anything, because it’s not trying to run away from you.

In today’s episode we speak about various topics related to the temporary nature of this world - and where a true shelter can be found. You’ll hear Balakhilya explain how faith coupled with intelligence is required to make progress, how there is an absolute truth that we can move closer to through a true spiritual process, and the nature of doubts. Maybe in listening to our podcast, or this particular episode, you have doubts rising to your mind. The fact is: doubts can be positive or negative, depending on how you react to them.

You’ll also hear us talk about Elon Musk saying that artificial intelligence is much much more dangerous than nuclear weapons, how we can choose to be controlled by a spiritual influence or by the modes of nature (see episode 12 & 13), and how it’s important to not jump into things ‘over our head’ - we need to take one step at a time, which is equally true for our spiritual life.

Highlights:

• (2:31) Nothing in this world lasts; that’s actually part of the design
• (4:47) Both faith & intelligence is required to make progress
• (8:38) If you’re only accepting material truths as being true, then it’s always changing - it’s all relative
• (13:52) Doubts can be positive or negative, depending on how you react to them
• (27:51) About AI and how neglecting spiritual education comes at a very high price
• (37:22) Crossing the bridge of change starts with one small step

Recorded on May 10, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/17

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“Group singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety, and elevate endorphins.” Are you wondering why we are always ending our episodes with a small music meditation? We take a closer look at the powerful physical and mental benefits of kirtan - an ancient form of meditation focused on the hearing and repeating of mantras, accompanied by music.

Article discussed:

“Non-violence, truthfulness, honesty, desire for the welfare & happiness of all others, and freedom from lust, anger, and greed, constitute duties for all member of society”

We speak a lot about our rights, but how about our responsibilities? What is my duty as a human being in this world, that will provide for a peaceful and prosperous society? In this episode we talk about how the universal duty for all human beings is to desire the welfare & happiness of all others. You’ll hear about the importance of not just present opinions but the actual truth, the difference between accepting our imperfections and just being OK with it, as well as the Vedic system of dividing society.

Maybe you are a mother or father - with full spectrum of duties and responsibilities of a parent, maybe you are a simple worker or a boss of the company, maybe you have some profession and a lot of duties connected with that. Maybe you have some mission in life that brings with it some activities, duties and responsibilities. According to the Vedas there are four different varnas and ashramas that are defying our position in the society, and there are specific duties that come along with that.

But above all of that we also have prescribed duties of a human beings and qualities that we should cultivate; like non-violence, truthfulness, and honesty. We speak about the importance of actually cultivating these qualities for the better of society and everyone living in it - because when there is no external peace, it’s because there’s no internal peace.

Highlights:

• (1:33) Truth is always true—regardless of our opinion about it
• (7:18) Equality doesn’t mean bringing everybody down to the lowest common denominator (example from Virginia)
• (11:32) The Vedic division of society for perfect harmony
• (20:35) Truthfulness is speaking truth: not what people want to hear, but what they need to hear
• (32:36) Going beyond lust in our relationships to others
• (44:12) If we care for the wellbeing of others, we should cultivate the qualities of non-violence, truthfulness & honesty—which also serves as an internal control mechanism
• (1:02:09) This podcast is for the few people who are interested and ready for change (example of record-holding female surfer)

Recorded on May 3, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/16

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In his younger years he was known as Firebird, a well-known personality in the nightclub hosting community in Toronto, Canada. At the time his life was seeking pleasure through late nights, intoxication and partying but when his health started to decline he figured that something had to change. He wasn’t happy and realized that the lifestyle he was leading wasn’t the answer.

In this episode we sit down for a chat with Jonathan who is currently a highly successful real estate sales person in Toronto, an outstanding long-distance mountain biker, a father - but first and foremost, someone who is leading and promoting a lifestyle of yoga meditation. We discuss the importance of having determination for achieving anything in life, how Jonathan and Balakhilya were and are still pleasure-seekers (the method to achieve it has changed though), and how to balance meditation practice with a busy career. Jonathan reveals his intriguing secret to a healthy back and shares the story of a six day and 500km fatbike ride through the snowy trails of the Durham forest last winter.

Highlights:

• (18:44) Seeking the topmost pleasure
• (31:53) Changing one’s life and desires through discipline and commitment
• (42:43) Fun story about vegetarian diet and sports performance
• (51:40) Stimulants, caffeine and mountain biking
• (58:36) Chant no matter what and leave nobody behind; short story about real life changing values

Recorded on September 20, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/15

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Everybody likes stories - and the Vedic literature is full of amazing stories that we can reflect upon. So today we would like to invite you to listen to the famous Vedic story about the hunter named Mrgari. This is a story close to Balakhilya’s heart, since he himself was hunting for a large part of his youth. It is a story about how a change of ones heart is made possible by listening with an open mind and heart, and following the guidance of a true spiritual teacher. Even one such meeting with a saintly person can change ones life for ever. This is exactly the story of Mrgari - the hunter who became a saint. If you listen in, you’ll also get to hear the true meaning of the biblical story of Adam & Eve.

It is never too late for a change, and we all have the possibility to make new decisions everyday.

Highlights:

• (9:41) The story of the hunter Mrgari who met the saint Narada Muni
• (28:19) A change of heart is made possible through listening and hearing from the wise
• (35:23) The real meaning of original sin and the story of Adam & Eve
• (43:37) Balakhilya: “I know this story, because I too was a hunter”
• (57:59) We can all change, simply by adding things into our life

Recorded on April 26, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/14

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