The Blessing of Meditation

Shiva Temple at The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment

The depth of realization attained in meditation is measured by the acts of love and compassion it inspires.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
 
For those of us who have a regular meditation practice, how are we to judge its effectiveness? The first level answer is not by what happens during meditation. Even on those days when the mind seems as restless as the wind, our constant returning to a point of focus brings many benefits: an improved ability to concentrate, increased awareness of what is occurring in the mind, and an ability to be present as we go about our daily activities. Often others notice the real benefits of our meditation practice before we do: an abiding calm peacefulness and a pleasant disposition despite outer circumstances. However the greatest blessing of meditation is that natural compassion with all those we come in contact with because we realize that we are not really separate from each other at all.

Amazing!

What has amazed you recently....in a positive way? What about the amazing unfolding of divine potential revealing itself every day?
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from Dharma 365! Live Your Higher Purpose

Neuroscientists have found that our brains are wired to see and hang on to the negative. This comes from our cave-person ancestors to needed to constantly look out for danger in order to be safe. It is easy to get caught up in what is negative. It brings down our energy. So it takes self-discipline to look around and see and hold on to the amazing beautiful life around us. 

One of the three foundational principles of Kriya Yoga is self-discipline. We use self-discipline to follow our soul desire which is always guiding us towards living our highest and best life. Yogacharya O'Brian says that "We use self-discipline to thrive. We notice amazing. We feel it. We let it occupy our thoughts and our feelings. We notice how amazing our life is. We practice this—religiously and scientifically. The 'world is a tree bowed down with fruit'(1)." May we have the discipline to see that and make sure we enjoy it."

What has positively amazed you lately?

(1) Rumi

Enjoy The Wonder and Beauty of Each Moment

Live each moment completely and the future will take care of itself. 
Fully enjoy the wonder and beauty of each moment.
~Paramahansa Yogananda

This advice from Yogananda does not advocate an indulgent approach to life, but is based on this powerful truth: when we live mindfully and make rightly guided decisions, we act in harmony with all of life. When we live without fear of the future and regret about the past we feel content. Our daily meditation practice gives us the tools to let thoughts which are not useful arise and fall away. We can come to live in the joy which is our true inner nature and enjoy the freedom of a peaceful life.

Be Kind

Kindness is the way we enter the family of all beings. It is how we truly experience belonging. This is why serving others is so satisfying—when we do, we enter the sanctuary of belonging. When we stop leaving others out of the circle of love and kindness, we, ourselves, come into right relationship with life. 
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

The Dalai Lama said, "Kindness is my religion."  The practice of kindness is outcome of the spiritual practice of not harming. It is one of the first spiritual principles for right living that is offered in the yogic scripture called the Yoga Sutras. "Cultivate nonviolence and experience the world as your friend." The Golden Rule, as stated in the Bible, Love your neighbor as yourself  is a unversal teaching. Most spiritual traditions have a form of the Golden Rule. It is the important foundation for living our lives in the highest and best way. With this practice we realize our oneness—our connection with all of life. In this day and age when there is so much strife and division in our world it is important to remember that kindness is a simple act. It doesn't take much. 

Let Go of Attachment

Develop a beginner’s mind by practicing non-attachment to views. Adopt a perspective of openness, curiosity, and willingness to discover. Amazing possibilities reveal themselves to an open mind.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Non-attachment doesn't mean that we don't care but it is a spiritual practice that helps us understand that everything in this manifest world is changeable, including our views, our relationships and our things. 
There are so many benefits to the practice of non attachment:
-non-attachment can be a necessary prelude to open us up to soul guidance
-it frees us from the snares of attraction and aversion and leads to freedom from grasping or pushing away
-non-attachment lowers our stress levels
-it saves energy and lets us focus on what is important
-non-attachment opens our consciousness to enhanced awareness of grace in our lives where we live with more equanimity

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ancient scriptures that teach about Kriya Yoga, the promise of the practice of nonattachment is we are freed from greed and can see life clearly.

Live in Equanimity

Develop a beginner’s mind by practicing non-attachment to views. Adopt a perspective of openness, curiosity, and willingness to discover. Amazing possibilities reveal themselves to an open mind.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Non-attachment doesn't mean that we don't care but it is a spiritual practice that helps us understand that everything in this manifest world is changeable, including our views, our relationships and our things. 
There are so many benefits to the practice of non attachment:
-non-attachment can be a necessary prelude to open us up to soul guidance
-it frees us from the snares of attraction and aversion and leads to freedom from grasping or pushing away
-non-attachment lowers our stress levels
-it saves energy and lets us focus on what is important
-non-attachment opens our consciousness to enhanced awareness of grace in our lives where we live with more equanimity

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ancient scriptures that teach about Kriya Yoga, the promise of the practice of nonattachment is we are freed from greed and can see life clearly.

True Wealth

Prosperity is evident as a continuous, timely flow of resources, events, circumstances, and relationships appropriate to and supportive of our meaningful purposes in life and that amply provide for our needs. 
~Roy Eugene Davis

In the teachings of the philosophical teachings of Yoga, there are four overarching goals in life. The first is knowing our purpose in life—to know what is best for our and others well-being and live in harmony with all of life. The second is to prosper—to attract what we need to fulfill our purpose in life. The third is pleasure-life is meant to be lived fully and enjoyed. The fourth goal is to awaken to the knowing that we are all units of Divine Energy. Being prosperous is not only financial prosperity but, as Mr. Davis says it is also relationships and circumstances that support us in living our lives in the highest way. Two practices that can support your awareness of prosperity in your life are having gratitude and being generous. In her book, The Jewel of Abundance, Yogacharya O'Brian says "Change your mind and consciousness from lack to abundance, and wealth will naturally follow...True wealth is access to resources on all levels—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual."  We already have all that we need, we just need to awaken to that knowing. 

The Power of Our Speech

Words reveal volition—the choice point of how and what we will create in our lives. Mindful speech is a key to mastery.
Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

When we first begin meditating, we become aware of the fascinating cacophony of desires, fears, images and wisps of thought churning through our minds. Little by little we learn to let most of them arise and fall away by themselves, lending energy to only those that seem useful. Next we learn the power of voice as we choose to speak aloud only those ideas that serve a real purpose. Then grace takes over and allows us to manifest in the world those words that serve a greater good. In Chapter II:36 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali states that "when one is firmly established in truthfulness, immediate and specific results of actions are experienced." Look back over your life for signs of these "specific results". You may be surprised at how much you can be grateful for.
May awareness of the power of your speech bring healing and good will to all.

Lift Yourself Up—Welcome Happiness

Sweep away negative and self-defeating thoughts with a conscious outbreath. Welcome happiness back into your heart and mind with a conscious inbreath. It only takes a moment—one transforming moment.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

The events taking place this week will go down in history. For some it is a time to complain, to be fearful, anxious, and worried. Watching or reading the the news may keep us informed, which is important, but the design of news programs is to focus on the worst because that is the most sensational. Social media can be even worse. For those of us who have a regular practice of prayer and meditation, it is important that we don't allow ourselves to slip into despair. We won't be able to help ourselves or anyone else from that place. It is a time to rise above, to see the good around us, to be the uplifting presence of the light of peace and love in the world. Our regular meditation practice supports us in observing ourselves so that we don't go too far down into distress. We can stand back and realize what is happening and make a different choice. Our regular meditation practice calms our minds and brings us back to our hearts. Spending time in that quiet space supports us during our day in discerning what the right choices are to make. As Yogacharya says just taking one conscious breath calms the mind and body and brings us back to our peaceful center. Letting go of fear will let you see the light all around you and allow you to go forward with contentment and love. If you don't already have a daily practice, set an intention for this year to do that. It's more important than ever. Begin each day with intention, contentment, and love. 

Walk In The Fullness of God

All this is full.
All that is full.
When fullness is taken from fullness,
Fullness still remains.
Introduction to Isha Upanishad, translated by Eknath Easwaran

This immanent realm we perceive is infused with a perceptible aura of wholeness. It comes from and is part of the transcendent realm (God beyond God). This fullness imbues every element of creation and beyond. This fullness can never be depleted. Viewed from the perch of meditative awareness, all is divine fullness. Haven't you felt this when looking into the eyes of an infant, when walking out of the forest into a beautiful green meadow or when watching a sunrise or sunset on the beach? The promise is that if we persist in our deepening meditation practice, we can walk in this fullness all the days of our life.

Plant Seeds of Positivity

The law of karma is perfect. Harming harms us. Acts of love return to bless us.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Karma is a Sanskrit word that literally means the results of actions. The Bhagavad Gita reminds us that we cannot refrain from acting. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali tell us that actions have consequences: good, bad or a mixture of the two. Even our thoughts have karmic consequences. Through our thoughts, words and actions we are planting seeds. Daily meditation practice nurtures our witness consciousness which enables us to observe and modify our actions in real time. We are fully responsible for our own karma so that we can plant positive seeds for the future. Especially in these difficult times it can be very liberating to act out of love. As we move into this new year, let us make the commitment to plant positive seeds for our and the world's future.

New Year's Affirmation

With the opening of the New Year, all the closed portals of limitations will be thrown open and I shall move through them to vaster fields, where my worthwhile dreams of life will be fulfilled.
~Paramahansa Yogananda

The coming of the new year is a wonderful time to affirm our intention to flourish on all levels. Take Yogananda's affirmation and personalize it for yourself. Then after meditation, know and feel its power to overcome obstacles as you repeat the affirmation several times feeling its truth now, even before it comes to pass. Then live in the secure knowledge that all our worthwhile goals can be achieved as we cooperate with a supportive universe. 

You Are Love Itself

You are Love itself. Live that way.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

At this time of the year we are surrounded by messages of love. We get holiday cards and hear from family and friends that we may not have heard from for a long time. We see movies, such as It's a Wonderful Life that remind us of love. We buy and receive gifts, that are given with love. Strangers say hello and wish us happy holidays. It can also be a difficult, stressful time for some of us. It may be hard to see that love. Our meditation practice helps us to slow down, notice the good around us and experience the love. It helps us to experience the love that is within us and to share that with others. Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Then immediately we move from the shortest day of the year into longer days, more light. In many ways and in many religious traditions, even for those without a religion, the coming of the light is celebrated at this time of year. 
In the Christian tradition, the coming of the light in the form Jesus of Nazareth is celebrated. This child represents the light of hope, the light of peace, the light of love. We are reminded that we are that same light and we can live from that place of love and light. As that light of love we can bring joy to ourselves, our families and to the world. The way we live contributes to the light of the world. We are Love itself. 

Love The World As Yourself

Do not strive to fix the world; that is arrogance. Instead, love the world as yourself. Change any part of your life that does not reflect this truth.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

There are times when we look at the world around us and feel anger or frustration about what we perceive is happening. Through this anger we want to try to change or fix it. This is an exhausting state of mind and has major negative side effects on the body because it creates stress. Worse yet, it is a useless waste of energy benefiting no one. We can only change ourselves. There are many ways to to lift ourselves into more positive states of consciousness. The  practice of mantra is a useful tool such as repeating So Hum (“I am That which I seek” in Sanskrit) both in meditation and during daily activity. This calms the mind and allows us to empathize with the situation or person that frustrates and discern how to react (or not react) in the highest way. This brings peace and love into a situation, instead of anger.

The Coming of The Light

Advent coincides with Winter Solstice and myths from many times and cultures, which provide and entry into sacred time. Sacred time is a portal. It can take us into the profound, spiritual significance of the time of year, the time in our world, in our lives and our consciousness.
~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian (from her book The Path of Wonder: A Meditator's Guide to Advent)

We are reminded, by the Christian practice of Advent that this is a sacred time of the year. Many other spiritual traditions celebrate the coming of the light. That this is a sacred time is easily forgotten, in our culture, with all the material focus on the holidays. We can slow down, though, and take the time to watch and listen. Advent means the arrival or coming. We prepare for the arrival of the light by watching for it, seeing it all around us in the people we meet and the goodness that is around us even when times seem dark. We can listen to the still, small voice within each of us that guides us, offers us peace and reminds us that the light is within ourselves. We are reminded each and every year, at this time, that as soon as the shortest darkest day happens, it is followed by the days slowly growing longer and brighter. This is the reminder that as we watch and wait, the light always comes. It never fails us. We can create a ritual each day that reminds of the coming of the light by just lighting a candle before meditation. Do it consciously and offer a short prayer as we light it. We can remember that this sacred time is a portal, a portal to the light of love, the light of peace.

Shelter From The Storm

Conditions are ever-changing but arise on the ground of being, or pure existence, which is unchanging. That is what we are. This Self-knowledge is the shelter from every storm.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian

Here in northern California we have had a very stormy week. It is also a stormy, chaotic time in our country and in the world. With the war in the Middle East and the elections here in the United States, many people are feeling unsettled, fearful and wondering what will happen next. Many of us feel that what we thought we knew about this world no longer exists. We feel the foundation on which our life has been based has been shaken. In the teachings of Yoga we are taught that there is a ground of being from which all in this manifest world arises. That ground of being is benevolent and never changes. It is a constant force for good that is always there and each of us is an emanation of that force. As Yogacharya O'Brian says in this quote—That is what we are. Our time in meditation calms the mind and supports us in remembering our Self. From this place of knowing what we are, we can move into the world, be the presence of peace to ourselves and others and from that discern what is the next right thing to do. 

Bring Simplicity Into Your Life

Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become.
~Paramahansa Yogananda

The pursuit of simplicity in life is in harmony with the core spiritual practices of Kriya Yoga. Right use of our energy frees us from the wasteful expenditure of both time and energy. When we look at how we expend our energy, simplification shows us how we can liberate great amounts of time for useful purposes. We can reduce clutter from our homes, for example, reduces time and energy we spend on our stuff. Simplicity can lead to inner contentment, freeing us from seeking happiness in the gratification of desires and puts us in touch with our own innate joy. Spend some time pursuing simplicity and see what it can do for you.

You Are An Immortal, Spiritual Being

Respect your true nature, your spiritual essence, and endeavor to live from the core of your being. Your security and well-being is related to your knowledge and awareness of oneness with the wholeness of life which is supportive of you. Do your best to be responsible for your well-being while allowing life to nurture and provide for you....If you sometimes feel apathetic—devoid of feeling, mentally depressed, physically sluggish or lazy—perform constructive actions that will arouse positive emotions, elicit positive thoughts, and energize your body. Live with inspired purpose and empowering enthusiasm. You are an immortal, spiritual being; live as you are meant to live. 
~Roy Eugene Davis from his book How to Use Your Creative Imagination.

We offer this quote from Mr. Davis as it is a reminder that we all go through periods of despair at different times in our life for different reasons. Mr. Davis reminds us to care for ourselves-our minds, our bodies and spirit-when we are going through these times. He is reminding us that we are spiritual beings who are meant to live in this world with divine purpose and meaning and to be open to the divine grace that supports us and all of life. May you be open to the divine grace that flows through your life, in whatever form it takes.

Look For The Hand of Love

Look for the hand of love whenever something is taken away.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

The teachings of yoga tell us  that there is a divine power for good that guides the universe and that we can learn to cooperate with it. When we experience a loss, it can be useful to put this loss into a broader context and open ourselves up to what can be possible. I have learned I can ask the question: is my short sighted ego assuming the change is one of loss or is the universe is merely making way for something better that is not yet obvious? As a young man I didn't do well in the professions that I thought I wanted to be in. In order to make ends meet, I took a job selling computer accessories at a Radio Shack store. One day a customer came in to buy ten floppy disks and my life was changed forever. He and I got to talking and within a week he hired me as a computer consultant in the company he ran and I was on the way to a fascinating career in high tech. Our meditation practice helps us quiet the mind and be open to the myriad positive possibilities that life can present, even when we feel that something is taken away from us.

Live Your Life in Peace

Spiritual practice is choosing peace, clarity, and compassion in thought, speech, and action. We have only to observe our thoughts and choices to determine whether we are aligning ourselves with peace, chasing after desires, or succumbing to depression or inertia. Practice making any course corrections needed to stay the course of an uplifting way of life. Like a pilot steering toward a chosen destination, constant course correction is necessary until we arrive.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Whatever our particular religion or even if we have no religion we can have a spiritual practice. As Yogacharya O'Brian says here, our spiritual practice is how we choose to live our lives. We realize what we want in our life and then live consciously so that we live in a way that attracts what we are looking for. Like is attracted to like. When we find that we veer off course, all we need to do is notice and then make the course correction. One of the many benefits of meditation is that it trains us to remain awake and aware of what is happening in our minds. That is what the pilot is constantly doing—remaining awake and aware in order to make those needed course corrections. We make no judgement of ourselves. We just notice and make the course correction. This is the way to live our best life. This is our spiritual practice.