A Summer of Yoga, Satsang and Spiritual Inspiration – Part 3
A Spiritual Journey through Hungary and Croatia
After Gurupurnima, the summer journey continued through Europe. Following a week of yoga, satsang and community life in Vép, Hungary, Param Pujya Mahamandaleshwar Sri Swami Avatar Puri Ji continued to Croatia, bringing the spirit of Yoga in Daily Life to Rastovac, and in Rijeka and Split on the Adriatic Coast.
Living in the Present – Vep, Hungary
Returning to Europe, MM Sri Swami Avatar Puri Ji continued with a Yoga in Daily Life retreat in Vép, Hungary, where participants gathered for a week of yoga, satsang, meditation and joyful community life.
MM Sri Swami Avatar Puri Ji pointed to the value of living in the present moment. If we remain too focused on what has already happened or constantly worry about what may happen in the future, we can lose awareness of the opportunities available to us now.
“There are so many doors which are waiting for us to open them.”
Fear, worry, sadness and excessive thinking can prevent us from moving forward. Through spiritual practice, we learn to recognise these obstacles and develop the courage and clarity to take the next step.
A Summer of Yoga in Croatia
The spirit of yoga and satsang continued in Croatia, with programmes in Rastovac and on the Adriatic Coast – in Rijeka and Split.
At Sri Alakhpuriji’s Ashram in Rastovac, MM Sri Swami Avatar Puri Ji ceremoniously cut the ribbon and lit the sacred light on the altar of the new hall dedicated to sadhana.
The new space will provide an inspiring environment for spiritual practice, with numerous seminars planned for the future.
Seven Days of Yoga by the Adriatic Sea
After an intensive period of sadhana in Střílky and Vép, MM Swami Sri Avatar Puri Ji wanted to offer a more relaxed spiritual programme by the sea, hosted by Yoga in Daily Life Rijeka on the beautiful Adriatic Coast.
Participants could combine yoga practice and satsang with time by the sea, swimming, sharing experiences and enjoying a warm sense of community. Among the words of wisdom shared by MM Sri Swami Avatar Puri Ji was the reminder:
“Do not allow the things that you possess to one day possess you.”
True freedom means using what we have with gratitude and wisdom, while remaining free from attachment and keeping our awareness turned towards the Divine.
30 Years of Yoga in Daily Life in Split
The journey continued to the Yoga in Daily Life Centre in Split, which is celebrating 30 years of yoga, satsang and service.
During these three decades, the centre has welcomed Vishwaguruji and sannyasis of the Om Sri Alakhpuriji Siddha Peeth Parampara and hosted programmes, lectures, workshops and humanitarian activities. During his visit, Swami Avatar Puri Ji offered guidance and inspiration for carrying this work forward:
“No matter what the world throws at us, take it as a test.”
With endurance, awareness and determination, challenges can become opportunities for inner growth.
The Croatian part of the summer schedule showed how yoga can become a healthy way of living together – through practice, satsang, service, friendship and shared spiritual experience.
Continue reading: Part 4, the final part of our summer journey, takes us to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a new chapter of Yoga in Daily Life has begun.