1-10 September 2023 – To the great happiness of all Croatian disciples, Vishwaguruji extended his 2023 summer seminars with ten days dedicated to all disciples from this part of southern Europe. Participants from all over the world also travelled to Rijeka, so this seminar was indeed considered international.

When a teacher comes to your country, your city and your ashram, the immense happiness is hard to hide. Thus, Vishwaguruji was greeted with great excitement by everyone who found themselves in Rijeka during these ten days. Darshan, satsangs, lectures, bhajans and yoga programs also had some special, different moments in Rijeka.

Special guests, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Phulpuriji, who came to Rijeka for a few days as part of his European tour, and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vivekpuriji, as well as many long-time sannyasis and disciples of Vishwaguruji, enriched the seminar with interesting lectures and various practical programs.

The Mayor of Rijeka paid his respects to Vishwaguruji by visiting him in the Yoga in Daily Life Centre. From the very beginning, the City of Rijeka has supported the project of this beautiful centre which, with the great enthusiasm of  many devotees who have supported this ashram in various ways, has grown and increased since 2009. The project has expanded to a complete yoga centre that includes a hostel, a vegetarian bistro, a hall, and in the near future will offer many more interesting events.

Vishwaguruji always supports the equality and unity of all religions and cultures, so he gladly responded to an invitation from the Rijeka Synagogue for a special cultural program. Swami Uma Puri, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Phulpuri and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vivekpuri each gave a speech in the Synagogue to mark the occasion of the Day of Jewish Culture.

The natural surroundings of the YIDL Centre of Rijeka include the Adriatic Sea, so bathing and swimming were an indispensable part of the program. Vishwaguruji emphasised that this is the best and fastest way to cleanse ourselves of all the impurities that burden our body, mind and soul.

The guiding concept of almost all of Vishwaguruji's satsangs in Rijeka was purity; the inner purity that we achieve with a pure vegetarian diet, purity in relationships, purity in thoughts and through yoga. He pointed out that only with a firm and unwavering attitude that knows no uncertainty and exceptions in the most important things, such as not consuming meat, can we progress on the spiritual path and go towards the goal.

A special festival day, Sri Krishna Janmasthami, the birth of Sri Krishna, was also celebrated at the seminar. Everyone enjoyed the symbolic presentation of the newborn Krishna. Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vivekpuri gave a short lecture explaining the symbolism of Sri Krishna and how, by celebrating the birth of Krishna, we also celebrate the birth of divine qualities in ourselves.

The sadhana and asanas are an indispensable part of every summer seminar, including this one in Rijeka. Everyone practised together, the youngest children, up to those who celebrated their 87th birthday at the seminar, because Yoga in Daily Life is a system for everyone.

Bhajans and evening satsangs with Gurudev, companionship and mutual joy and understanding, remain deeply engraved in all hearts, as spiritual food until the next meeting.