In today’s world, so many things pass as ‘spiritual’. But what does real spirituality actually mean, and what is the result of engaging in psychedelics, kundalini yoga, or thinking ‘I am everything’? In today’s talk we start off by discussing something Balakhilya’s dad told him in regards to intoxication, namely ‘If you don’t start anything you don’t have to quit’. Actually, all bona-fide spiritual processes teach refraining from intoxication as a prerequisite for spiritual development.

We speak about what can be the result of using psychedelics, how kundalini yoga can help us experience our true spiritual nature, and how we inherently and eternally need a loving relationship. From there Balakhilya explains the 2 ways to acquire knowledge, how self-satisfaction is the solution to the environmental crisis, and the path to get the ultimate, natural ‘high’. You’ll also hear Balakhilya explain the meaning of the mantras we are using and why we use those.

Highlights:

• (3:10) If you don’t start something, you never have to quit
• (8:27) Taking drugs doesn’t open spiritual doors
• (14:47) The difference between physical, mental and spiritual
• (35:50) Descending process and Bhakti yoga, approaching big nature - respect the mountain and the mountain may allow you to summit
• (44:00) Drugs to escape unhappiness: negation of the negative. Problem is a lack of real love.
• (55:00) Start by learning from our faults and bad habits, can't start perfect.
• (1:12:00) 'We worry about how we should leave a better planet for our kids, but we don't worry about leaving better kids for the planet'
• (1:21:51) About the famous surfer who had a massive wipeout, ending up with 11 hours a day rehab just to surf again

Recorded on March 8, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/7 Watch video version, contribute to podcast, join Facebook group, etc: https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail

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

Watch video version, contribute to podcast, join Facebook group, etc: https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail

“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

Watch video version (with subtitles), contribute to podcast, join Facebook group, etc: https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail

Have you ever heard about three modes of material nature? Probably not, because most of the western people do not even know about its existence and influence upon us. Sattva-guna - mode of goodness, Raja-guna - mode of passion and Tama-guna - mode of ignorance — these are three different forces of material nature, that are influencing us every day. The food that we eat, the way that we interact with others, our likes and dislikes, our tendencies and desires are all under influence of these three modes of nature. Sometimes we are under the influence of the mode of goodness, sometimes passion takes over and sometimes ignorance creeps into our life. But can have a control over the influence of these modes upon ourselves.

By learning about the characteristics of each mode of nature you will be able to find out which mode is currently covering you and work against its negative influence. The knowledge of yoga is not only giving us complete information on this subject of three gunas, but it is also giving us solution how to get out from their clutches.

Highlights:

• (5:08) All livings entities have intelligence
• (11:23) The 3 modes of material nature - goodness, passion, and ignorance. If we know how we are being influenced, we can do something about it.
• (37:34) How do we use our intelligence? The purpose is to acquire knowledge.
• (46:33) We don't know what it's gonna take for any individual, including ourselves, to change things in our life; story of Ruben's friend
• (56:38) 4 principles to bring us into the mode of goodness
• (1:13:26) If you have real knowledge, you know the escape route

Recorded on April 5, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/12

Watch video version, contribute to podcast, join Facebook group, etc: https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail

Health and vitality — who doesn’t want to have good health? We all do. So let’s talk about how to balance our bodies and minds simply through our food and lifestyle choices. It’s actually simple and easy to start a healthy lifestyle. The ancient Vedic wisdom gives us amazing insights into how the body actually works, and how we can live our lives to achieve real balance and vitality. It’s possible for us all. Balakhilya explains this and more in this podcast. Tune in to find out more about vegetarian food, the body as a machine, organic food, mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing and more. Highlights:

• (4:18) Ayurveda — The number 1 health system
• (8:42) Balakhilya's healthy life story (being a vegetarian)
• (20:21) Food and diet, stress, physical & mental health, exercise, walking and nature
• (40:40) Nature's timer — When to exercise, meditate, work and sleep? And what happens when we don't follow this system?
• (54:57) Balakhilya's daily routines
• (1:04:40) Good health — for what?
• (1:07:18) «Simple living, high thinking». We can't start with perfection

Recorded on March 1, 2021. Read episode transcript on https://breakingtrail.life/podcast/6

Watch video version, contribute to podcast, join Facebook group, etc: https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail

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

Watch video version, contribute to podcast, join Facebook group, etc: https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail

Is the glass half full, or half empty? The truth is, we won’t really be happy regardless of how we see it. Until and unless we start addressing our true needs, as the spiritual beings we are. We should start seeing life as it truly is—accepting both the good and the bad without dramatization.

Today we dive deep into the realities of life and the spiritual journey ahead of us. You’ll hear a heartfelt story about a friend diagnosed with ALS, that shows the importance of spiritual growth over worldly pleasures. We discuss how people often rely on positive thinking or temporary fixes when facing hardships, while true resilience comes from a realistic approach.

Highlights:

• (5:44) Balakhilya buys rose-colored glasses
• (15:15) Better laugh than cry - but there’s another option
• (23:04) Sometimes difficulty is just what we need
• (31:06) The world is designed to be imperfect
• (36:10) We need to develop a higher taste

Recorded on December 12, 2022.

https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail

A compassionate heart, purified from greed and anger, naturally seeks to care for others and foster peace. As Jesus himself said, “The kingdom of God is within you”.

Today we reflect on Jesus' teachings - particularly the concept of loving one's enemies. Jesus himself wasn’t a promoter of divisive labels, such as religion, but rather a representative of divine truth. We should remember that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

With this we wish all our listeners a very Merry Christmas. We hope that you will always be able to learn, grow, and embody Jesus’ message of love for God and love for all other sentient beings.

Highlights:

• (5:27) You are a spiritual, not a material, being
• (13:01) Love everyone, including enemies; respect freedom
• (31:43) Acceptance of a supreme authority is essential for peace
• (41:34) Transcendental intelligence requires knowledge and perspective
• (49:23) Santa Claus portrays religion as a fake fantasy
• (58:44) Merry Christmas, from Ruben and Balakhilya

Recorded on December 12, 2022.

https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail