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Online Satsang of May 14, 2024

German with German and English subtitles.

About this Video:

This is the second of four online satsangs in the anniversary month of May: I started making videos a year ago. The focus of this Satsang became really spiritual: it started with a question about what is the most valuable in life, and then was again and again about Masters, Gurus, thoughts, the ego and Samarpan Meditation.

In the western world, people have no direct practical experience with spiritual topics. For them, the whole thing is rather abstract. Yet we humans are emotional beings and the abstract does not help us – only what we experience ourselves internally is helpful.

That's what a Guru or a Saint is good for this: they make God tangible, as long as you cannot experience him directly. Many people know this with Jesus: sometimes, a thought of him is enough to make you feel close to God in an inexplicable way. That is why Jesus said: I am the bridge, I am the way. And that's why I like to talk about these topics so much: to make them tangible and to show that we actually do experience God – we just don't recognizing him.

But there was no shortage of worldly matters in this Satsang either: again, it was also about relationships, jealousy and love. Such a rich Satsang! I would like to thank everyone who attended and made it possible with their wonderful questions and their trust.

Links to the topics in this video:

(please find the complete transcript below)

  1. The most important and valuable

  2. What distinguishes master and guru?

  3. What is simplicity

  4. Dealing with jealousy

  5. "Do you still have unwanted thoughts?"

  6. Loving one's own father

  7. Key to a happy relationship

  8. Falling prey to the ego

  9. Should you live with the Guru?

  10. Practicing two forms of meditation

  11. Support me if it gives you Joy

Complete text for reading along:

[Dhyan Mikael:] Good evening. Welcome to the Satsang tonight. I'm happy you're here, and that you've found your way to your computer despite this beautiful weather out there. If this is the first time you've joined, I'd like to say a few words about what we do here. Here in Online Satsang you can, if you like, ask me a question – either via the chat in YouTube or via the chat in Zoom.

But you can also talk to me directly in Zoom, then you can give a hand signal and Simone will make sure that you can talk to me, on and I will then try to say something about your question. Yes, and we'll just do that for an hour and a half tonight. And that's actually all there is to it, very simple. Simone, do you have anything to read out yet?

The most important and valuable

[Simone:] Yes, Mikael, I already have a question for you.

[Dhyan Mikael:] How nice, thank you.

[Simone:] It's from Sandra. Sandra asks: "What would you say? What is the most important and valuable thing in the life of human existence?"

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you.

The most important and valuable thing in this human life that you have here in this body in this world is your time. Most people do not know how infinitely valuable their time is and how quickly it runs out. You have no time to lose. We have come into this life with a specific task – not a task imposed on us from outside, but something that we want; that our soul wants: to find our way back inside, back to ourselves; to discover our true existence.

Most people do not know how infinitely valuable their time is and how quickly it runs out.

You have no time to lose.

And that is possible. That's why I make videos, that's why I do Satsangs, to tell everyone that this is actually possible for us normal people.

We have come into this life with a specific task – not a task imposed on us from outside, but something that we want; that our soul wants:

to find our way back inside, back to ourselves; to discover our true existence.

And that is possible.

And it's simple. It doesn't need a miracle, it doesn't need a lottery win, it's really possible for everyone, but it's only possible if this has become the most important thing in your life. And that means if you have somehow reminded yourself: this is the way, this is my path. You don't know what that means. You have no idea why you feel this way. You only get an inkling of this direction at some point in your life. That's why you end up in Satsang. That's why you might read books that other people wouldn't read.

And the only thing you have to do then is to use the time you have in this life for that. I'm not saying that you should give up your life and go into a cave and only meditate. That's not what I mean. We are not in this human life to run away from it. But when I say, " You have to use the time you have in this life. This is the most important thing we have, the most valuable thing: the time we have left."

Then I mean to use it to look in the right direction; to take what is really important to us seriously and not to waste the time with other things that we know very well are not important in reality... nice perhaps, pleasant, but not really important. Jesus spoke of it, all the Saints speak of it. They say: When your time here is over, nothing of what you have here will remain except one thing: this inner treasure that you have found – or not.

You have to use the time you have in this life. This is the most important thing we have, the most valuable thing: the time we have left.

Everything you do for it... what you discover inside, that's what's permanent. That's what we're here for: to discover that. To discover what's always here; what we are.

When your time here is over, nothing of what you have here will remain except one thing: this inner treasure that you have found – or not.

Everything you do for it... what you discover inside, that's what's permanent.

That's what we're here for: to discover that.

And that takes a lot of time. Enlightenment is simple. It happens in an instant, this first recognition: Wow, there's something completely different to what I've lived so far. But then the real task starts; practicing to put that what you discover here at the first place. And that keeps us busy for the rest of our lives. It's not difficult, but it's important to look in the right direction, to take one thing seriously and to live life as it is – normal life, with work, with family, with relationships, with children.

And that takes a lot of time.

Enlightenment is simple. It happens in an instant, this first recognition.

But then the real task starts; practicing to put that what you discover here at the first place. And that keeps us busy for the rest of our lives.

That is the most important thing, the one thing, the only important thing in this life. Everything else, everything that we take so infinitely seriously: partnership, love, sex, money, success, health, peace... all secondary.

That is the most important thing, the one thing, the only important thing in this life.

Everything else, everything that we take so infinitely seriously: partnership, love, sex, money, success, health, peace... all secondary.

Yes, and if you ask: how do you do that? How is this supposed to work? I talk about this all the time in my videos and also often in Satsang. You practice looking inwards by meditating. You practice it by simply meditating for half an hour every morning. I always talk about Samarpan Meditation. I don't want to claim that this is the only way, but this is the way which I have come to know in this life and which has brought me to this path.

And that's where you learn to turn inwards, despite all the things we think are so important, despite all the distractions, despite the fact that our attention is constantly being pulled outwards with so strongly by our thoughts, our desires, our worries and our fears. Then, we gradually learn to let this become our habit; to let it become something natural; to take the inside, God, our soul, seriously. And then, everything changes. And then, all the other things that have always been so important to us change too: love, relationships, security, health, all those things.

But the order has to be right, then life works, then it flourishes. That's the only important thing in life. Everything else is unimportant. Thank you for this wonderful question, what a beautiful start to Satsang! Thank you.

What distinguishes master and guru?

[Simone:] There is no question right now, Mikael.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you, Simone, then I'll read out a short e-mail that reached me.

"You keep talking about your Master and your Guru. What is the difference, and at what point do you consider a teacher to be your own Master or Guru?"

The question is: what is the difference between Master and Guru? But before I talk about that, I would like to say a sentence about what the difference is between a teacher and a Master. A teacher teaches you something: knowledge.

A Master doesn't teach you anything. He lures you in a new direction.

A teacher teaches you something:
knowledge.

A Master doesn't teach you anything. He lures you in a new direction.

What I'm saying now is my own personal way of putting it. If you ask someone else, the answer will probably be very different.

When I came to my Master, to Soham, my spiritual Master, twenty-four years ago... that's when my life completely changed, because he started teaching me what I was just talking about in the first question that Simone read out. He showed me this way inwards.

I began to discover for the first time in my life that I even existed. Until then, I had only looked into the world and tried to fulfill what was required of me, to fulfill what was expected of me, to be loved, to be good enough. And he taught me to feel myself, to perceive myself, to get to know myself and to live within myself and no longer out there in the world.

He taught me to be happy, to be at peace with everything, and I thought that was everything. He also thought that was everything. That's a Master. A Master turns you around so that you no longer look outside, but inside.

A Master turns you around so that you no longer look outside, but inside.

A Guru is something else. Maybe you know the story from the Bible. There was John the Baptist. John the Baptist was a Master, a great spiritual Master, just like mine. He showed people the true life that dwells within them. He baptized them, which means: he opened them up to the inside, to what normal people know nothing about.

One day, Jesus came to the river Jordan where John the Baptist lived and preached, and when John the Baptist saw Jesus, he lay down at his feet and said to his disciples, to his own disciples: "Go! Go to him. I am not even worthy to touch his feet. I know nothing. Follow him." That is the difference between a Master and a Guru.

When you come to a Master, you think you are discovering a new world. And then, at some point, a Guru comes into your life, and then you find out that what you've learned so far was nothing. That's how it was for me with Soham and with my Guru Swamiji. I thought I had learned everything from my Master.

There was a point about seven years ago when I felt that I wasn't going to learn anything more from him. And he felt that too. And we both talked about it once and we wondered, as if we both felt that that wasn't all. But we had no idea what we were feeling. I was happy. I wasn't looking for anything anymore. I had arrived. For all I knew, I had discovered everything what there was to discover.

And then this Guru, Swamiji, came into our lives, and from one day to the next... that's not true, not 'from one day to the next'... from one moment to the next it was clear: what we had discoveredand learned so far is nothing compared to what is opening up right now. Simply by this Guru coming into life; simply by that; in an instant.

I was happy. I wasn't looking for anything anymore. I had arrived.

And then this Guru, Swamiji, came into our lives, and from one moment to the next it was clear: what we had discovered so far is nothing compared to what is opening up right now.

And then my Master Soham did what John the Baptist did two thousand years ago.

Soham said to all his disciples: I have met a Guru. Everything is different. From one day to the next, the Satsang of my spiritual Master changed completely. He only talked about this new thing that came from this Guru, and many of his disciples didn't understand him. But he couldn't help it because he knew: the one who comes is so much greater: I am not worthy of touching his feet. And that's how it really is.

And then my Master Soham did what John the Baptist did two thousand years ago.

Soham said to all his disciples: I have met a Guru. Everything is different.

A Master turns you inwards and teaches you to meet yourself. A Guru takes you to God, to the Infinite.

And the words, of course they don't mean anything when I say them like this: I know, it all sounds a bit strange. You have to experience it for yourself.

You don't need to look for a Master or a Guru. This happens by itself. Just like you don't have to look for a husband or wife or boyfriend. Suddenly you fall in love. And it's the same with a Guru: when your soul is ready, it just happens, and then you will know.

You don't need to look for a Master or a Guru.

This happens by itself. Just like you don't have to look for a husband or wife or boyfriend. Suddenly you fall in love.

And it's the same with a Guru: when your soul is ready, it just happens, and then you will know.

Thank you for this question, I love talking about this.

What is simplicity

Simone, may I continue or do you have something?

[Simone:] I have something for you.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Yes, very nice.

[Simone:] Sandra has one more question, and she asks: "Would you like to say something about simplicity? What covers up simplicity so that it can no longer be recognized and lived? What is simplicity? How can people live in simplicity again?"

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you. Such beautiful questions, thank you.... such a joy. It's quite simple, with simplicity. The first question was about: what is the One Thing, what is important in life? What is the most valuable thing in life? If you know that... when you realize what is the one thing that is important to you... when you have only one thing that is important to you, then life is simple for you.

And then, all your attention goes in one direction. All your energy goes in one direction. As I said, this doesn't mean that you then give up your life. You continue to live your life as before, but your inner alignment, that's what I'm talking about, is aligned in one direction. And then your life is simple. That's all. Most people don't live simple.

When you realize what is the one thing that is important to you... when you have only one thing that is important to you, then life is simple for you.

And then, all your attention goes in one direction. All your energy goes in one direction.

Most people have many things that are important to them; and not just two... ten, twenty, infinitely.

Your inner alignment, that's what I'm talking about, is aligned in one direction. And then your life is simple. That's all.

Most people don't live simple. Most people have many things that are important to them; and not just two... ten, twenty, infinitely.

That's like having ten or twenty horses, but they don't all pull in one direction, but each horse runs in its own direction, and you can't get one step forward. And that's how people live their lives, and work hard all their lives, and then life is over, and then they discover that they haven't moved a meter further in the direction they actually wanted to go in this life, but of course they've forgotten that.

But when your life becomes easy because you only have one thing that is important to you, then you will succeed. And now it just depends on what that one thing is that you choose. There are people who absolutely want to become successful in business, to make money, and a person who doesn't care about anything else, but only that, will succeed, no matter what it is.... some people want to become powerful.

When your life becomes easy because you only have one thing that is important to you, then you will succeed.

And now it just depends on what that one thing is that you choose.

Then, life is easy.

And it becomes really easy when you discover the one thing, when you remember the one thing, what you actually came into your life for. Most people have no idea.

And when you realize that, when you make that the one thing that's important to you, then it becomes really easy, because then... It is as if everything happens by itself. It's really as if the whole universe is working with you, because this whole life has actually been there from the beginning, it's been designed just to get you on this path that you're discovering. That's why you are here in Satsang.

There is this beautiful saying: "When man takes one step towards God, God takes ninety-nine steps towards man." And that's how it feels. It's not true, of course, because God is already in us anyway, but that's how it feels: once we turn in the one direction, which is the direction we're here for, everything works almost by itself. To become successful, you have to try very hard, and you have to bamboozle a lot of people.

Once we turn in the one direction we're here for, everything works almost by itself.

To become powerful, you have to achieve an incredible amount and destroy and oppress many people. But to discover the one thing, to discover your own soul, to discover Heaven, to achieve that, you don't have to make any effort at all. You just have to know which direction you like to look in. This determination you need. Everything else works by itself. Just meditate every day, every morning, for half an hour, and life starts to change, and you don't even know how it happens.

But to discover the one thing, to discover your own soul, to discover Heaven, to achieve that, you don't have to make any effort at all.

You just have to know which direction you like to look in. This determination you need. Everything else works by itself.

And it's my personal experience: the longer I meditate, the easier this life becomes. It's incredible.

It's my personal experience:
the longer I meditate, the easier this life becomes.

It's incredible.

As I said, I want to counteract this stereotypical image that some people have of a spiritual life, that you just sit in a corner and chant 'Om' and read spiritual books or sit around lazily. I don't live like that. Maybe there are people like that, but I'm not like that.

I'm actually busier than ever, but my life is easier than ever, quieter than ever, more peaceful than ever, more stress-free than ever, but also more fulfilled than ever, richer than ever. You have to experience that. But it becomes easier because there are no more contradictions inside you, no more conflicts. No questions: should I do this or that? Is this important to me, or that?

All the energy goes in one direction, and all the rest follows automatically.

Life really can be that simple.

It becomes easier because there are no more contradictions inside you, no more conflicts.

No questions: should I do this or that? Is this important to me, or that?

All the energy goes in one direction, and all the rest follows automatically.

Life really can be that simple.

Thank you for this wonderful question. Thank you very, very much.

Dealing with jealousy

[Simone:] I have another question, Mikael.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Ah, how nice.

[Simone:] It comes from someone called Thank-You-1-2-3.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Hello Thank-You-1-2-3.

[Simone:] "Dear Mikael, can you tell me how to deal with my jealousy? I have felt for some time that I am afraid that my partner is looking for someone else. Thank you."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you.

I appreciate questions like so immensely because these questions... everyone knows them. Every person has experienced it and knows what it means to be jealous.

I would like to say two things about this. One is something very practical. You ask: "What can I do with my jealousy?" Feel it.

Allow it. That doesn't mean you should let your jealousy run wild and act it out and act jealous. This I don't mean by that. Jealousy is a feeling. Let it come to you. Embrace it. Let it touch you, very quietly. It is a precious gift. Don't throw it up, don't throw it out, but withdraw with it, take time to be alone with it. Such strong feelings like jealousy – and underneath usually lies a great fear – these feelings are so valuable because they are actually an invitation.

Jealousy is a feeling. Let it come to you. Embrace it. Let it touch you, very quietly.

It is a precious gift.

They invite your attention to go inwards, towards these feelings.

Such strong feelings like jealousy – and underneath usually lies a great fear – these feelings are so valuable because they are actually an invitation.

They invite your attention to go inwards, towards these feelings.

You know, with jealousy it's like this: maybe you remember the time when you didn't have a partner. All was right with the world then... maybe you remember. You didn't miss anything, your life was full, you were busy, you had everything you needed. And then, your partner can come into your life. And now you are afraid of losing him or her. Isn't that strange? Before he or she was there, you were complete, and now you have a partner and you're afraid that he or she will leave again.

And I want to tell you why that is. When you are alone, your attention is with you. You naturally take care of your affairs. That's what you have to do. There's no one else here to take care of you. You do it yourself. Your attention is with you. And everything is fine. And then, we meet someone and we fall in love, and we think this person is great and we give them all our attention.

What was always with us before – our attention – is now constantly with this other person. It is as if we are shifting our center out of ourselves and into the other person. Of course, it doesn't belong there. And as soon as there are signs that this other person might not really always be there or might not be what we thought they were, it suddenly becomes critical, because our center is now in danger; because it's out there, with this other person.

And jealousy, or what happens now when insecurity arises in the relationship, for whatever reason... These feelings that are happening now are a sign that your attention has been where it doesn't belong for a long time; as if your inner self has become unstable as a result. And these feelings that are now helping you to bring your attention back to where it belongs, namely to yourself – inside yourself.

These feelings that are happening now are a sign that your attention has been where it doesn't belong for a long time; as if your inner self has become unstable as a result.

And these feelings are now helping you to bring your attention back to where it belongs, namely to yourself – inside yourself.

So, if you pay attention to these feelings, loving, gentle attention, not just for a second or a minute, but for as long as they are here, then you heal the actual problem: your attention returns to yourself. And when you do that, it doesn't take long and you will feel better.

If you pay attention to these feelings, loving, gentle attention, not just for a second or a minute, but for as long as they are here, then you heal the actual problem:

your attention returns to yourself.

That's one thing. That's the immediate thing to do with jealousy, so to speak. But there's another aspect, which is a little bigger, and that has to do with the fact that we normally look for what we need in life where it's not to be found. You're looking for safety, you're looking for love, security, acceptance, happiness, and we don't know where to look for these things. We have no idea. The only thing we have heard is that it can apparently be found in relationship.

You're looking for safety, you're looking for love, security, acceptance, happiness, and we don't know where to look for these things.

We have no idea.

That's why we have all these love stories and these happy endings in movies and in books. But that's all a lie. Anyone who has a happy relationship knows that. Relationships can be beautiful, relationships can be happy, but ultimately, they don't give us what we're really looking for. And at some point you realize that. And you are lucky. Something is happening to you right now that shakes you up and reminds you that what you are looking for is not there. That is why there is such a thing as Satsang, that is why there is such a thing as Meditation.

Relationships can be beautiful, relationships can be happy, but ultimately, they don't give us what we're really looking for.

And at some point you realize that.

These are the means that help us to discover where these things are really to be found.

Not in your partner... you will never find it there, no matter how great he is, no matter how faithful he is, no matter how beautiful he is.

And that's the second aspect of what you're experiencing right now. What you are experiencing right now, this shock, this deep insecurity, reminds you of what you are actually looking for, and asks you the question: "Where can you find it? Are you sure you'll find it with this man? Or do you perhaps want to look somewhere else?"

What you are experiencing right now, this shock, this deep insecurity, reminds you of what you are actually looking for, and asks you the question:

"Where can you find it? Are you sure you'll find it with this man? Or do you perhaps want to look somewhere else?".

And the interesting thing is: once you start looking for the one important thing in life where it really is – inside you – then all these other things in life suddenly start working again, because we are no longer looking for something that isn't there. Then the relationship is unburdened again.

Once you start looking for the one important thing in life where it really is – inside you – then all these other things in life suddenly start working again, because we are no longer looking for something that isn't there.

Then it is what it can be: a wonderful addition, a wonderful help, a lot of joy, but not a source of happiness – that is somewhere else.

Then the relationship is unburdened. Then it is what it can be: a wonderful addition, a wonderful help, a lot of joy, but not a source of happiness –

that is somewhere else.

So, my advice to you is: invite your jealousy inside you. Make time for it. Give yourself space for it. Jealousy is something that needs a lot of space and a lot of time. I know what you're talking about, I've experienced it myself.

And ask yourself where you can find what you are really looking for in order to be happy, where you can find that. Ask yourself this question. That is why you are here in this life.

Thank you, Thank-You-1-2-3.

"Do you still have unwanted thoughts?"

[Simone:] Mikael, I have another question from Alexandra that I would like to read out.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Yes, please. Hello Alexandra, I'm happy you're here.

[Simone:] "Good evening and thank you very much! In the Course in Miracles it says:...while you are learning, that you only need to come without the thoughts that you never wanted and that are not true. Do you still have unwanted thoughts? Is your mind completely empty while meditating?"

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you for your question. I am glad that I can talk about this. No, the mind is not empty when meditating, at least not mine.

The thing about thoughts is this... It's not about sitting down and becoming thought-free. You can't do that.

But what you can do is not pay attention to the thoughts that are there; not take them important; not take them seriously; not believe them – not at all.

It's not about sitting down and becoming thought-free. You can't do that.

But what you can do is not pay attention to the thoughts that are there; not take them important; not take them seriously; not believe them – not at all.

And you can only do that if you have another target for your own attention. And that's why Samarpan Meditation is so brilliant, for me anyway. When you start this meditation, you think at the beginning: "Well, all good and well, but"... It's so simple. You have no idea what's involved. But once you've done it for a few weeks, you discover something quite amazing. I don't know if you know the meditation or have ever heard me talk about it.

What you do in this half hour, when you do the Samarpan Meditation in the morning, is that you rest your attention up here at the crown chakra. The crown chakra is simply the topmost point of the head, something completely practical, non-esoteric; here, this point. And when you are up there with your attention, at this spot... I don't know why that is, but then you can't think. Look, the thoughts are only there for you when you are paying attention. If your attention is tied up with something else, you don't perceive any thoughts.

Many people experience this in a sudden emergency situation, for example. Then, the entire system is completely occupied and absorbed with something and there are no thoughts because the attention is elsewhere. Or when you're in the kitchen cooking. You're not thinking much, you're just chopping the vegetables. But as soon as you sit down and do nothing – that's meditation: the body sits completely still and does nothing, and the mind has nothing to do either... And now you don't know where to put your attention, and then your thoughts come to the fore.

And that's why you meditate. You sit down and have nothing to do. And now you practice keeping your attention on yourself, even though there is nothing to do. That's the most difficult situation, so to speak. And I didn't really know what to do in the past. But now, since I got to know Samarpan Meditation, it's as if I know where I can let my attention rest; as if it's being refueled there. When my attention is resting up here, I don't perceive any thoughts. I don't know whether thoughts are still there or not.

But a moment later, my attention is no longer up there. Then I think again. It's as if my attention has simply slipped down a floor without me realizing it, down here, and there are the thoughts. And then, a few moments later, I notice: "Wait a minute, I'm thinking again", and then I go back up here to the crown chakra with my attention, and then it immediately becomes quiet again. And that goes back and forth, back and forth.

And what we learn there is... Maybe you do physical exercises. For example, if you practice with weights or any physical training. If you've been doing a certain exercise for a while, then you'll notice that certain muscles develop in you, just by you using them. And it's the same with our attention. Normally, our attention – and this is the most valuable thing we have – is not controlled by us. We have no power, we have no muscle that enables us to determine where our attention goes.

It is simply drawn to where it is interesting. That's how advertising works. That's how men and women work. A beautiful woman walks by and if you're a man, you look. All your attention is suddenly there. You don't know her, you'll never see her again, but you're not in control of your attention. Then thoughts come, and then these thoughts attract your attention. In this way, your attention is on the move all the time.

Normally, our attention – and this is the most valuable thing we have – is not controlled by us.

We have no power, we have no muscle that enables us to determine where our attention goes.

When you start to meditate, when you do Samarpan Meditation, you start to develop a new strength. You start to train a muscle – that's not really a muscle, of course, but it's an inner strength... You start to become Master of your own attention. At the beginning, you meditate and you're in the crown chakra for not even five seconds and you're already back in thought. And so it goes back and forth for half an hour.

When you start to meditate, when you do Samarpan Meditation, you start to develop a new strength.

You start to become Master of your own attention.

And over the years, this inner power becomes stronger and stronger and gradually, you become Master of your own attention. Then, thoughts are still in your brain, but you no longer know anything about them because you have your attention elsewhere – where you want it to be. And if it does slip down again, one floor down to your thoughts, then you grab your attention and push it back up again. And then, there is peace again.

Gradually, you become Master of your own attention. Then, thoughts are still in your brain, but you no longer know anything about them because you have your attention elsewhere – where you want it to be.

And this inner strength... the Indians call it 'Chitta'. Chitta is a word for this inner attention, for the eye of our consciousness. And this Chitta, this inner ability to perceive... we become the Master of it.

It all sounds very simple and beautiful now, but what I'm describing is a revolution. You know, in the past it used to be that the people who had muscle power were the boss. The strongest man became chief of the tribe; all the women thought the strongest man was the greatest; he had the power, he was in charge. It's no longer like that today. Today, intellect counts. The cunning, the clever, the smart, they are in charge today, they have the power today; they decide where things are going today.

And this Chitta, this inner ability to perceive... we become the Master of it.

It all sounds very simple and beautiful now, but what I'm describing is a revolution.

And we are just entering a new age, we are just at the beginning of it. We are currently experiencing a major upheaval in the world, but most people are unaware of it. It used to be the age of physical power. What we've experienced in the last few hundred years has been the age of mental power. And now the age of inner power is beginning.

The Indians call it 'Chitta Shakti' – the power to direct your own consciousness. And then, your consciousness is no longer controlled by external influences. Then you are no longer interested in advertising or Facebook or a poster of a naked woman or your thoughts. You control your attention. You decide in which direction it looks. You decide where it rests.

Now the age of inner power is beginning. The Indians call it 'Chitta Shakti' – the power to direct your own consciousness. And then, your consciousness is no longer controlled by external influences.

You control your attention. You decide in which direction it looks. You decide where it rests.

And then, the thoughts no longer have any power. They may still be there, but maybe you don't even know it anymore because you're not looking. The thoughts are only so disturbing when this 'Chitta Shakti – this power to control your consciousness – if it is not trained. And it is not trained anywhere in humans; no one has ever learned it. Our consciousness always goes outwards, all the time.

But it doesn't have to be like that. Samarpan Meditation is the key to this, very simple, and yet a total revolution. But you only discover this when you do it for a while. And this power to direct your own consciousness... to be able to determine what my inner attention is focused on, that changes everything. This is the new force that will determine the world in the future.

Thoughts are only so disturbing when this 'Chitta Shakti – this power to control your consciousness – is not trained. And no one has ever learned it. Our consciousness always goes outwards, all the time.

But it doesn't have to be like that. Samarpan Meditation is the key to this, very simple, and yet a total revolution.

It is stronger than anything else.

And this power to direct your own consciousness... to be able to determine what my inner attention is focused on, that changes everything.

This is the new force that will determine the world in the future. It is stronger than anything else.

Thank you for your question. Thank you very much.

Loving one's own father

[Simone:] I now have another question that I would like to read out, it's from Michael.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you very much. Hello Michael, I'm glad you're here.

[Simone:] "Dear Mikael, my father is getting worse and worse, and it may be that he will soon die. He has deteriorated more and more over the last few years and can hardly speak anymore, and he lost his sense of life a long time ago. He doesn't want to go to hospital or even to the doctor under any circumstances. It's very difficult for my mother. Why has he always been so afraid of doctors, where he might get help? What can I do as a son? I would still like to look him in the eyes and tell him that I love him and that he can stop suffering. All my love."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Why should your father go to the doctor? Why would your father go to the hospital, for God's sake?

Your father knows exactly what's happening. His life is coming to an end.

Everyone else around him has a problem with it; he obviously doesn't, and I congratulate him on that.

I don't know your father, but it sounds to me like he's at peace, and that's wonderful. You say he lost his sense of life a long time ago.

I don't know exactly what you mean by that. If you mean that he doesn't fight anymore: oh, that's a good sign!

You don't need to fight. Being ready to die, that's a wonderful thing. I'm ready to die, now, in this moment.

You don't need to fight.

Being ready to die, that's a wonderful thing.

I'm ready to die, now, in this moment.

I'm not fighting. I'm not in your father's condition and I'm not his age, but I'm not fighting.

Death is something that normal people ignore, and then, when it can no longer be ignored, we try to do everything we can to delay it.

I'm glad your father is not doing this. I am very happy. Love him. Make the most of the time you have. It sounds to me like he's a wise man. He knows that he's dying. He wants his peace. He wants his peace, that's the most important thing about dying.

At some point you realize: my time has come, and then you just let go. Leave the man alone.

Celebrate him, enjoy him while he's still here, love him while he's still here and admire him for his stubbornness in this sick game that we all normally play with death, where he doesn't play along.

[Simone:] May I interrupt you for a moment, Mikael?

[Dhyan Mikael:] Yes, please.

[Simone:] Because Michael has just written: "He seems rather bitter, and that he is very much afraid of dying."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Yes, that may be. Thank you, Simone.

You know, when death comes, that's the time when you're confronted with yourself. That's when you realize how you really feel. Most people ignore it all their lives, the fear, the disappointment about life, that you haven't found what you were always looking for, and the fear of death because you don't know... You haven't found this foundation in yourself. And when it comes to dying, these feelings come up.

And some people distract themselves by fighting for their lives. Some people sink into their feelings, their bitterness, their depression, whatever.

What you can do is: leave him as he is. Really... leave him as he is. I mean, if you have an idea that there's something that could help him, you can offer it to him. I don't know. When my father died, he was in hospice care for the last few months. That was very good for him.

But there was no fighting there; he was accompanied by people who know what someone needs in their last days and weeks and months.

As for your father... you asked what you could do?

You want to be able to look him in the eye and want to be able to tell him that you love him. And to do this, you need to be at peace with him; with the way he is; with his fear, with his bitterness, with his disappointment.

Going to him and recognizing these feelings in him and loving him with this: that is love. A lot is possible.

You want to be able to look him in the eye and tell him that you love him. And to do this, you need to be at peace with him; with his fear, with his bitterness, with his disappointment. Going to him and recognizing these feelings in him and loving him with this: that is love.

And, you know: if you love him and let him be as he really is, as you are experiencing him right now... If you don't try to want him differently, because in reality, the way he is is very difficult for you... Who knows? Who knows what else is possible. My experience is: as soon as I accept the other person completely, as they really are, and finally let them be, and make peace with the feelings I have about them, then suddenly all sorts of things become possible that I couldn't even imagine.

We usually try to change the other person somehow because it's really difficult for us what we're experiencing with this person, these feelings from this person.

You can't do much as a son, but you can love him, and that means that you have to love the feelings you have about him. If you do that – that's your homework, so to speak –, then you can meet him as he is.

You can't do much as a son, but you can love him, and that means that you have to love the feelings you have about him. If you do that – that's your homework, so to speak –, then you can meet him as he is.

Thank you for your questions, Michael.

[Simone:] He writes "Thank you very much".

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you.

Key to a happy relationship

[Simone:] I have another question from Sandra... [Dhyan Mikael:] Yes, please.

[Simone:] ...I'll be happy to read it out now. "What is the key to a happy relationship? What is the true approach to each other, to be able to grow together, to heal together."

[Dhyan Mikael:] The key to this togetherness is that you don't want anything from the other, don't need anything from the other, don't expect anything from the other, but find everything you need within yourself. That's the key. Nobody tells you that. There are great workshops where you can experience, find and try out all kinds of things together.

The key to this togetherness is that you don't want anything from the other, don't need anything from the other, don't expect anything from the other, but find everything you need within yourself.

That's the key.

The whole world is looking for what you just described – that's why I am so happy about your question – because everyone is trying to do it together. But I'm telling you: you can only do what you're here for on your own.

Everyone has to become happy for themselves. Becoming happy is a very intimate, private matter for each soul on its own.

I'm telling you: you can only do what you're here for on your own.

Everyone has to become happy for themselves.

Becoming happy is a very intimate, private matter for each soul on its own.

And anyone who discovers this, this path to their own happiness, suddenly becomes capable of being together with other people, but truly being together.

You ask: what is the access to being able to do that together? I have experienced this in my life.

In the past, my focus, my attention was always on my partner. I wanted exactly what you are asking: to be together, to merge together, to be happy together. But I have the Master who fortunately knew better, and he always threw me back onto myself again and again, and I gradually learned to find happiness and a ground within myself; to find the foundation of my life within myself.

And then I no longer needed the other person. So, practically speaking, of course we all need each other, that's clear – for practical life. But we're talking here about this inner being, this inner fulfillment, this happiness.

And then I experienced... When I arrived inside myself and realized: I no longer need the others, I am happy, I have everything I need... I realized something totally interesting: The more I felt myself, the more I was with myself, the more I looked within myself, the more I was connected to the other. It's still like that today. More and more.

It's as if the true connection to other people goes through your own inner self.

The more I felt myself, the more I was with myself, the more I looked within myself, the more I was connected to the other. It's still like that today. More and more.

It's as if the true connection to other people goes through your own inner self.

A normal relationship is characterized – I know, no one wants to hear this, but it's still true – by neediness. You want to be happy. You have no idea how to do that. You are convinced that you can be happy with the other person. You want them to make you happy. We don't want to be alone, we want to be loved, we want confirmation.

We don't love ourselves, but we want someone else to love us. We feel wrong, but we want someone else to approve of us. This is what I call 'neediness'. And on the basis of this neediness, which all people have – that's nothing reprehensible, it's just the way we are - no healthy relationship works. It just doesn't work.

We don't love ourselves, but we want someone else to love us. We feel wrong, but we want someone else to approve of us. This is what I call 'neediness'. And on the basis of this neediness, no healthy relationship works. It just doesn't work.

And at some point, a person finds that out. At some point, you realize after you... I've been married three times, I've had any number of relationships. I tried really hard, again and again, with everything, with therapy and workshops and everything you can do. At some point I realized that something wasn't right: "There is something wrong, it can't just be me.

I think I'm looking in the wrong place." And now that I've become happy; now that I'm beginning to discover my soul; now that I live within myself, rest within myself; now that I no longer need other people: now I feel connected to them. Now there's love flowing, just like that. Now there's openness.

Now that I've become happy; now that I'm beginning to discover my soul; now that I live within myself, rest within myself; now that I no longer need other people: now I feel connected to them.

Now there's love flowing, just like that. Now there's openness.

And now there's also mutual support, as if it were the point of us all being on this planet together. But I've only been experiencing all of this since I started living within myself. It all goes through me. It doesn't happen by me trying to make something happen with someone else, to be happy together. If you look in that direction, it never works.

And initially, that's a little difficult. At the beginning, it feels like you almost become unloving towards other people, because for the first time in your life, you start to only look at yourself and get to know yourself and only care about your own feelings and your own needs and no longer about those of others.

But only if you do that and persevere with it will you begin to discover: "Wow, through here, through my inner self, through my own soul, here, through the crown chakra, that's where we're really connected."

That's the one true connection that remains. It goes beyond anything you would normally experience in a partnership, but in a very practical way. You simply experience it. It's completely natural for you then.

So, start with yourself! Start loving yourself. Be your own best partner. Get to know yourself really well. Get to know all your feelings. Learn to appreciate all your feelings. Accept yourself as you are, completely and utterly. And if you feel lonely, accept that. If you feel inadequate, accept that. If you feel wrong, love yourself as you are. That's the homework.

Start with yourself! Start loving yourself. Be your own best partner.

And if you feel lonely, accept that. If you feel inadequate, accept that. If you feel wrong, love yourself as you are.

That's the homework.

And if you do that, again and again, again and again, then you gradually begin to be close to yourself. And that is the key: getting close to yourself. And then you also discover closeness to others. Not before. Everything we experience before is all just on the surface, even if it feels great for a short time. Thank you for your question. It's a great topic because it concerns us all so much. Thank you so much.

That is the key: getting close to yourself.

And then you also discover closeness to others. Not before.

Falling prey to the ego

[Simone:] I don't have any questions to read out at the moment.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Ah, fine. Then I would like to read out a letter I received.

I invite everyone to write me handwritten letters. I really appreciate that. I always reply also handwritten, but the actual answer to the question, to the subject of the letter, I give in a video or in a Satsang so that everyone can hear it.

"I am now forty-six years old. About ten years ago I read a book by Eckart Tolle and my spiritual journey began. Nevertheless, I realize that I have fallen prey to the ego. My life was and still is shaped and guided by the voice in my head. Since I have been on the trail of the ego's machinations, I have been feeling much worse. The voice has become very negative and very persuasive.

When I see through its strategy, it comes up with something new. Is the ego writing this letter now? Am I going crazy? The Samarpan Meditation that I have been doing for a few weeks now helps a lot to alleviate the ego's dominance. Nevertheless, I only see ego in everyday life. I no longer know what is real. Thank you for your reply."

Well, that really is such a beautiful letter. It just gets to the heart of the matter. Yes, that's how it is. At some point, we get to the bottom of the ego. At some point we realize that what we feel and hear inside us, all the thoughts, and also the feelings, that we can't trust it, and we know... When this time in life begins, then the great uncertainty begins because we no longer know: Who or what can I still believe? Everything I feel inside me is not trustworthy. It's all the ego. That's exactly how it is.

When this time in life begins, then the great uncertainty begins because we no longer know:

Who or what can I still believe? Everything I feel inside me is not trustworthy. It's all the ego.

That's exactly how it is.

When you start with Samarpan Meditation, you rest your attention up here in the crown chakra. And when I rest there with my attention, I don't know anything anymore, and my thoughts, of course they know everything, but I don't believe them anymore. I turn away from them. And whenever I rest in the crown chakra, whenever I meditate, I no longer know anything. And as soon as I know something, I let it go again and know again nothing.

It sounds a little strange to the untrained, but the certainty you are looking for lies hidden in not knowing.

It sounds a little strange to the untrained, but the certainty you are looking for lies hidden in not knowing.

It starts like this: you have lots of questions, you want to know how life works, you want to know what you should do, you want to know where to go, you want to know what is right and what is wrong, but you know you can't trust your head. And now you're wondering where you can get the answers to all your questions. How do you now know what is right? And you have realized – and this is a very crucial point and a good point where you are – you have realized that none of what you find inside you is trustworthy.

The answer lies in meditating, and here is why. When you meditate – the Samarpan meditation, mind you –, it's not that you find answers there. But the questions disappear.

You no longer know anything, but you no longer have any questions either.

It's a completely different way of living.

When you meditate, it's not that you find answers there.

But the questions disappear.

You no longer know anything, but you no longer have any questions either.

It's a completely different way of living.

And of course, the thoughts come back. Of course, the questions come back. Of course, the uncertainty comes back. But now you know a direction that you can return to at any time. Even during the day... you don't need to sit down formally to meditate. You can do it while working, while cooking, while walking, while driving. You just rest up here and the questions disappear.

Of course, the thoughts come back. Of course, the questions come back. Of course, the uncertainty comes back.

But now you know a direction that you can return to at any time.

At first you think: "Wait a minute, that can't be right, I must know something". But gradually you realize: I can trust this. If I stay out of it, if I don't know anything, if I just rest here, then somehow everything works, but I have no idea how. Life works better than before, better and better, and you have absolutely no idea how this is possible. And then, you gradually trust it more and more, because you experience it again and again.

I said in one of my last videos: When you become wise... It's not that the wise person knows more than others and has the right answers. The wise person knows that he doesn't need to know anything, and he simply trusts in life. He knows: I don't need to know anything. This is letting go: I don't need to know anything.

It's not that the wise person knows more than others and has the right answers.

The wise person knows that he doesn't need to know anything, and he simply trusts in life. He knows: I don't need to know anything.

This is letting go:
I don't need to know anything.

And then, what you are experiencing, the storm of the ego, the storm of thoughts, then it calms down: when you are ready to live without answers and without questions.

What you are experiencing, the storm of the ego, the storm of thoughts, then it calms down:

when you are ready to live without answers
and without questions.

And I am glad that you have started the Samarpan Meditation. Be patient. You write that you have been doing it for a few weeks. The letter is already several weeks old, so perhaps you have been doing it for several months now. Be patient.

That's how this Satsang started, with the question: "What is the most important thing in life?" And I said: This whole life is here for us to learn the one thing – what you are talking about in your letter. We learn that. For the rest of life, that's what we learn: to rest here and live without questions and without answers. And you will discover things that you can't imagine. It's a completely different way of living. There you discover who you really are. It has nothing to do with knowledge. There's no room for ego.

This whole life is here for us to learn the one thing: to rest here and live without questions and without answers.

And you will discover things that you can't imagine. It's a completely different way of living.

But be patient. That's what the ego doesn't like at all: patience.

That's what the ego doesn't like at all:

patience.

Thank you. Thank you for your letter. It really touched me.

[Simone:] I don't have a new question, Mikael, but I'd like to read out briefly what Sandra's feedback is. She writes: "Answers from the source. It is like fresh, clear water flowing from you. Thank you very much for that. Namaste."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you, Sandra. You know, I have no idea if what I'm saying here is total genius or total nonsense. It's just like my answer to the letter just now. I don't know anything, I really have no idea. I am amazed myself and just hope that it is useful. And that's why I'm so happy if it helps you in any way. Yes.

Should you live with the Guru?

Thank you. I have another letter. If you don't have anything, Simone, I'll read out another letter.

"I've been living near my Guru for six years now. I moved here from my home region to another corner of Germany. I regularly attend meditation evenings, Darshan and sometimes seminars which are offered. Despite the proximity, I don't feel at home here but rather homeless, strange and alone. I live a rather secluded life in a quiet village. Outside of the events, everyone goes their own way.

We meet privately for a few hours twice a month or so. I have a growing desire to move back to my home area. My Guru told me that he would be very sad then. What do I do now? This weekend, my homesickness and my feeling of being alone and helpless was particularly strong. It really hurt inside me. So, the video you posted today came at just the right time. Can you please give me some more advice on this?"

Thank you.

I'm very touched that you asked me this. I would like to say two things. The one is: we are not in this life by accident, in this normal, everyday human life. And we like to have the idea, especially in spiritual circles, that it would be more correct to live a spiritual life only at the feet of the guru.

I'm not sure if that's true. We have come to this life, to this practical life with all its aspects, because it is precisely this life that is so helpful for us: being in society, with family, with job, earning money, with difficulties, with our partner, colleagues, fellow human beings. We get so many buttons pushed, it is so difficult: we learn what we have to learn. And then, we have a spiritual Master or a Guru who shows us the right direction on how to make the most of this life that we have.

But that doesn't mean we have to live with the Guru. For me, Swamiji, my Guru, is the greatest Guru there is. It's probably the same for every disciple: their Guru is the greatest. But nobody lives with him. All his disciples live their lives, and he gives them the tools in the form of Samarpan Meditation and thus the energy they need to learn to focus on the inner and the soul in this life full of distractions and difficulties. This is how this ability becomes strong; this is how this ability is developed.

We are not in this life by accident, in this normal, everyday human life. And we like to have the idea, especially in spiritual circles, that it would be more correct to live a spiritual life only at the feet of the guru.

I'm not sure if that's true.

So, it is not necessary to live with the Guru all the time. If you want to and the Guru allows it, you can of course do that. I never wanted to do that. My Guru doesn't allow it at all. My spiritual Master, Soham, always prevented it too. People around him also wanted to form a community where people would flock together and live together in this spiritual spirit.

But that's not what life is made for. We live our practical life, but we are guided in this practical life by our spiritual guide, by our Master or by our Guru. And then, we can really make the most of life. My advice to you is: trust your soul.

Where do you find the Guru? My Guru says: The connection to the Guru is within you. My Guru says, Swamiji says again and again: It doesn't matter at all to be physically close to him, on the contrary. He says that usually, this makes it more difficult for people. He says: What matters is your inner openness to what the Guru brings. You don't have to live with him for that.

Your inner openness, that is what counts. Trust your soul, go your own way. I've always done the same as you, by the way. I have to look at my watch for a moment so I don't go overtime. Sorry about that. I can only encourage you to be true to yourself.

You know, it was like this with me... I shared at the beginning of Satsang what it was like for me when, after many years of being together with my spiritual Master... We had already been together for seventeen years, when Swamiji, a Guru, came into our lives. And I told you earlier what an upheaval that was in my life. I knew: everything that I am in this life for comes from this medium, from this Guru.

What matters is your inner openness to what the Guru brings.

You don't have to live with him for that.

Your inner openness, that is what counts.

But I never went to India. My Master went to India. Many others have gone to India. I don't know why I didn't want to go, but I had heard him. He said: the true connection is inside, and inside I felt him, always; even now.

I never felt the need to travel to India. When he is in Germany and gives Darshan, I go there. I find that totally amazing and infinitely enriching. And after that day or after a weekend like that, then I go back home and don't see him again for a year, or even longer.

The real connection is inside. And I was always radical about that. I couldn't help it. I often felt wrong; then I thought: "Everyone is going to India, everyone wants to be near him now, but I don't feel like it." And I stayed where I was. I have always listened to my own soul. And my life is getting better and better, more and more beautiful. I feel so connected to this Guru, who actually lives inside you. That's where the true Guru is. The Guru in the outside world is just the initial spark. Yes, be true to yourself.

Practicing two forms of meditation

And I know it's now half past nine, but I have one more question, and it's a quick one. I would like to answer it.

"I've been practicing a light meditation for twelve years, learned from my Guru. Now I also find Samarpan Meditation very interesting, and something inside me would like to learn it. How can I practice these two forms of meditation now, dear Mikael?"

That's not a problem at all. Samarpan Meditation is not a religion, it's not a doctrine, it's not about that you only do this meditation now. It's quite simple: continue to live your life as before. Love your Guru if you want to. Do the meditation you want. Do all the things you like to do, don't do all the things you don't like to do, and just add Samarpan Meditation to your life. There is no problem at all. Thank you very much for your letter. Thank you.

Support me if it gives you Joy

And I thank you all for this beautiful evening, for this beautiful Satsang. Thank you for the opportunity to hear your questions and to be able to answer. I don't know anything myself, and I am always amazed anew at what is told, and I am happy when it is helpful. Now, at the end, I want to... Actually, I always want to say it at the beginning, but I forget.

If you like what I'm doing here, and if you would like to support me... I am very happy about help, about financial support, and no matter how much: a few Euros a month are already infinitely valuable to me. If you would like to help me make these Satsangs and videos, there is a page on my website called 'Donate', where you can find out how to do it. And as I said, I deliberately put it like this: "If it makes you happy".... only then. Everything I do is free, and it will always stay that way.

That will never change, I promise. And somehow it works. If the people who feel the desire for it and the joy, when they support me, then I have everything I need. And if you have any questions: you are welcome to write to me by email or by handwritten letter – I love that. There's a page on my website called 'Ask me', where you'll find the contact options for writing to me at. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you very much. Thank you for Satsang.

[Devasetu:] Yes, and anyone who would like to donate to Jetzt-TV is of course also very welcome to do so.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Oh yes, thank you, Devasetu, for reminding us. Thank you for making this Satsang possible here with you. And Jetzt-TV really needs donations. Jetzt-TV supports so many Satsang teachers and so many people, thousands of people, and everybody loves the Satsang teachers, and you have no idea what Devasetu has been doing for years, for decades. His whole life is just for this, it's unbelievable. Please, think of Jetzt-TV and Devasetu too. Thank you.