When the thinking mind is agitated with worry and fear, the darkness of ignorance clouds our wisdom. This is when discernment is needed. Like a sheriff breaking up a fight, discernment asks the participants to quietly step outside. Stepping into the light, a new perspective emerges. We can similarly step outside our challenges by setting aside our worries and calling on the spiritual power of clear discernment.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
In these times it is easy to get overwhelmed with worry and fear. The darkness of ignorance that Yogacharya O'Brian refers to is not ignorance in terms of book learning, but the forgetting of who and what we are at the core of our being, that wisdom of our greater nature. When we forget we can plunge into that darkness and have trouble finding our way out to the light. I am grateful for my meditation practice that supports me in getting in touch with that which observes. That which observes sees how our fear and worry is clouding our hearts and minds and offers us a way to discern what is the best way to step onto the lighted path. Sometimes it is as easy as taking a walk to break up our worry cycle, or calling a friend, or reading or watching something uplifting. Our own innate wisdom shows us the way. How do we find that innate wisdom? We find it through our regular practice of meditation. Our minds become quiet enough during our time of sitting that throughout the day we benefit from that silence that calms the mind, calms the whirlpools of worry and helps us to see through to the light of wisdom.
Every person is now either consciously or unconsciously using their creative power of imagination. Those who use it consciously are able to have their desires fulfilled and live freely and enjoyably.
~Roy Eugene Davis
Our daily meditation practice teaches us to be both aware of thoughts in our mind and able to keep a distance from then when necessary. Negative or harmful thoughts can be encouraged to fall away and we can nurture the positive. We can craft helpful aspirations, nurture them in our minds like a mantra, and then await their fulfillment in the knowledge that the universe supports our worthwhile endeavors. Use your creative imagine consciously. As we begin this new year, let fear or anger fall away and nurture your constructive dreams.
Sweep away negative and self-defeating thoughts with a conscious out-breath. Welcome happiness back into your heart and mind with a conscious in-breath. It only takes a moment. One transforming moment.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
As we are leaving 2020 behind, that very tumultuous year, we want to enter into 2021 with a fresh outlook on life. May we let go of negative thoughts, of frustration, of anger, of fear. Life is so much easier when we can change our negative thoughts to positive uplifting thoughts. That allows us to move and act in the world in a manner that is more joy-filled. Whatever the situation we can change change our thoughts by changing our mind. All it takes is one conscious breath. We can visualize that breath as clearing away the negative and then bringing in the positive. We can discern our next right actions from a place of peace. Breathe out the negative, breathe in the positive. Let that be your mantra.
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.
Advent coincides with Winter Solstice and myths from many times and cultures, which provide an 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 in our consciousness.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from her e-book Path of Wonder: A Meditators Guide to Advent
At this time of the year, several of the world's religions celebrate the coming of the light. In many Christian denominations, Advent (coming or arrival) is celebrated by rituals that prepare us for the coming of the light. In the philosophical teachings of Yoga, the core of the teaching is the realization that we are the light, we are emanations of That which dispels the darkness. Winter Solstice is the time where we experience the most darkness, the shortest day, followed immediately by the increasing light as the days get longer. Many celebrate Winter Solstice as the coming of the light. We have been living through a difficult time in our history, but as we become more spiritually conscious, more spiritually awake, we remember that the light always comes. The dawn always follows the night. Spring always follows winter. At this time of year, may we remember that this time is our sacred portal to reflect on our own light and how we bring that into the world. We are the Light.
When a home is a place of peace—of caring, love, awareness, and appreciation for life—we can feel it when we walk through the door. Make your home a sanctuary of divine peace today.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
In this time of sheltering-in-place, we need a sanctuary that brings us peace of mind. Our peaceful energy is the main thing that contributes to that place of peace. Our peaceful energy supports our conscious effort to bring kindness, love and appreciation to others but also to ourselves. Loving ourselves—caring for ourselves is most important because if we don't love ourselves we can't give love and appreciation to others. Our peaceful energy comes from deep inside and is made apparent with our regular meditation practice. Contemplate what you need to do for yourself so that your home can be a place of peace. Consider how you care for your body and mind, paying attention to your diet, exercise, what you read and watch on TV. Look for the joy around you throughout your day and bring the remembrance of those joyful moments home. Consider how you care for your physical surroundings. Light a candle. Bring in some nature. Most important, care for your spirit. Pay attention to having some time in silence each day, time for meditation. That meditative energy fills your home. Create that space of peace so as you shelter-in-place you feel the big hug that your surroundings give you. Your home is your sanctuary.
It is on the inward condition that the outer reality depends.
~ Roy Eugene Davis
Our daily meditation practice gives us the tools to mold our normal mental state, our attitude toward others and our expectations of life. I have been meditating almost all of my adult life and am convinced that this has made me the optimist that I am.
I have been working for a small company for the last ten years as it's IT manager. This past week we experienced what could have potentially been a very serious problem with our main servers. It was my job to find the solution which involved stitching together solutions from two different vendors. Without a solution, my company could have gone out of business. Of course, one vendor blamed the other and said that a solution was not possible. At one point, I just took a deep breath, meditated briefly and made one last phone call to tech support at one of the companies. I reached a very cheerful, helpful person who said of course he could help and a solution could be found and it was. Within two hours everything was working perfectly. To paraphrase Paramahansa Yogananda, whatever the problem, meditation is the solution. Even if we were not able to find a fix to this computer problem, because of my meditation practice, I would have known I did my best and been at peace with that.
Maintain an inner, meditative awareness, even during activity. You will discover a centralizing principle within you that will rightly guide all your activities.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Life can be so much simpler when we live by our inner guidance system. We all have it. It is that inner wisdom, that inner intuition that is telling us the right action to take. Sometimes it is loud and sometimes soft. But it is persistent. When we choose to listen and go with that intuition, we feel a peace with the action or decision we are making. That's when we know it is right. I have been hearing that persistent inner voice lately in regards to a family gathering for Thanksgiving. Circumstances dictated that it needed to be held in the evening and inside. I argued with that inner voice, saying maybe if I just stayed for an hour or so and keep my mask on most of the time except when I am eating, it will be ok. It's only a small group. But that inner voice along with many voices from medical experts were saying don't do it. That was the loud and soft voice of inner wisdom speaking. I observed how I was inwardly arguing with that voice. I finally realized that I need to practice what I preach and listen to that "still, small voice." Even though it was difficult to not be with my family on this traditional day, I felt at peace with the decision.
At this time of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my regular practice of meditation and how it informs my daily thoughts and activities. It has taught me to observe my thoughts and actions and to make the right choices. Not always easy, but always right.
Gratitude is the surest way of developing the magnetism that attracts spiritual abundance into our lives.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
In this season of Thanksgiving in the U.S. we become more aware of all that we are grateful for, but gratitude can also be a powerful spiritual practice all times of the year. Since like attracts like, when we are content and grateful for all we have, the universe showers us with abundance on all levels. Spend some time after meditation each day in the practice of gratitude. It will draw more resources to you which you can then share with others.
Breath, time, food, vital force, and money—all are expressions of our life force. To live well, pay attention to how you use these five forms of energy.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
How do we use our vital energy, our life force? It is useful to observe and to conserve. How do we use our breath, our voice? Complaining, speaking ill of others, or using our breath for good? How do we use our time? Are we rushing around, feeling like we need to do more and more or do we take the time to be present, to notice where we are, to listen? How do we eat? Do we eat foods that are healthy and give us nourishment? How do we expend our energy, for our health and wellness and for the highest benefit for others? How do we spend our money, do we worry about not having enough or do we look at money as energy to be shared for the well-being of ourselves and for the world. Are we generous?
Don't waste your energy. Conserve and use your energies for your own good and for the good of others. We can use our energy in a positive way and grow strong together.
Strong mental chains are forged from desire and habit. Each time action is taken to fulfill desire, another link is added. Use discernment and self-discipline and break the chain.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Every one of us comes into this world with a unique gift to offer others, but we also often have a deeply ingrained habit or obstacle that may get in the way of fully offering that gift. Meditation allows us to develop the witness consciousness that makes us aware of this core obstacle, and as we continue to deepen our daily practice, we gain the strength and insight to embrace the joyous self-discipline that frees us from it. The wonderful promise is that meditation can eventually burn away all traces of such obstacles and grant us complete freedom.
Above all, be steadfast in meditation. It is the boat that carries us across the river of delusion and keeps us from being lost in the whirlpools of anxious thought.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
We are living in a time when anxiety is rampant. The list of things we are anxious about is so very long. At this time, world-wide, there is probably not one person who has not suffered or is suffering from anxiety for many and multiple reasons. I know that my own anxiety is heightened, especially now with the U.S. national election coming up. I can be in a whirlpool of anxious thought. I do realize that allowing myself to sit in that whirlpool is not doing myself or anyone else any good. Now, more than ever, my regular, daily meditation practice is what is needed for my own health and well-being and for that of the world. Just imagine that if we are all send out waves of peaceful energy, all those waves overlap and come together in strength. This is how, as individuals, we can change the world. We have a choice. We can sit in the whirlpool of anxious thought or we can change our thoughts and as Mahatma Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see in the world." Step out of the whirlpool of anxiety and send out waves of peace. Calming our minds with meditation is the key.
Through meditation I will stop the storm of breath, mental restlessness, and sensory disturbances raging over the lake of my mind. Through prayer and meditation I will harness my will and activity to the right goal.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
This affirmation is by the man who who became a great Yoga master and reminds us that even he had to struggle to overcome the restlessness of the mind. All of the great teachers tell us that it can be done. The concentration techniques such as focusing on the breath can take all of us to the depths of meditation if we use them consistently with intention and energy. The first level obstacles in our way are our own lack of intensity, application, and will power. How miraculous it is that we all have full control over these.
Balance renders life fruitful.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
We often hear about having balance in our life, but what does that really mean and how do we achieve balance? The teachings of Kriya Yoga are all about balance. At the basic level we can look at what we eat. Do we eat food that bring us health and well being or do we eat food that might taste good in the moment but bring us discomfort in the long run? Are we getting enough sleep so that during our waking hours we are able to respond to stressful situations with discernment rather than react and maybe say or do something that is not useful? During our busy day do we take breaks for rest and sweetness? Do we take some time in the silence of meditation each day? Do we take time for light exercise each day? Can we turn away from what we find stressful (like the news) and turn towards things, situations and people that are uplifting and bring us joy. Turn away from what you know isn’t good for you and towards what lifts you up. As Roy Eugene Davis, the esteemed teacher of Kriya Yoga said “Do what you know you should do.” When we do that, our lives are more grace-filled - our lives are fruitful. That is balance.
We attain what the heart is fixed upon.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
The Vedic teachings that inform our practice of meditation say “You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny." If our deepest desire is to realize our ultimate potential in life, we stand a chance of attaining it. These teachings also say that we come into life with downward drives like the desire for pleasure and aversion from what we wish to avoid. Our job is to take the acute self awareness from our meditation practice, turn away from the downward drives, and moment by moment pursue what is most uplifting in life. What is most important for you to attain today?
Peace comes in a moment but takes a lifetime to realize. It is not something we attain; it is a way of life. Fill your day with peaceful moments that become a peaceful life.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian
Yogacharya offers us a sweet reminder in these turbulent times to remember that we want peace to be our way of life. This is where we all feel at our best. It is so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the moment, then we worry, get frustrated, angry and sad. Our physical, mental and emotional health suffers. Let's turn away from that and turn toward peace. How do we do that? When we become aware of our state of mind and we decide we want peace we can find the peaceful moments right where we are. We can just decide to do whatever it is we need to do to do to allow joy and peace to be our way of life. Take a walk, play with our furry animals, read something uplifting, take a moment to pray-to meditate. Stay away from what stresses you. Yesterday, we realized we needed to do something different from our normal daily routine and got out of the house and took a drive, away from what was stressful. We both came home refreshed and happier-at peace. Our meditation practice teaches us to see what is going on in our minds. The more we practice, the easier it gets until it is almost automatic. Live joy and be joy. Live peace and be peace.
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 taught by Yogananda. Right use of our energy frees us from the wasteful expenditure of time and energy. When we look at how we spend time we can liberate great amounts of it for useful purposes. The practice of non-stealing, not feeling like we lack for anything, can lead us to reduce clutter from our homes and transfer things to others who can make better use of them. Devotion to harmlessness can free us from compulsive attempts to tell others what they should be doing and free energy for our own self-transformation. Harmlessness makes us better listeners and can save us from saying things we might later regret. Simplicity can lead us to inner contentment, that powerful practice that frees 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.
Remember, people suffer only because they think things ought to be different
from what they are.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
This year of 2020 has given most of us a great many challenges in many different ways, both great and small. Our normal way of living has completely changed. At the beginning of this pandemic we all thought it would be over in a month or two. Now we don't know when or if ever life will get back to the way it was. How do we cope? The teachings of the spiritual philosophy of Kriya Yoga tell us that we can be content and peaceful in our lives even in a time of turmoil. The key to contentment is twofold. The first part of this contentment practice is our regular meditation practice which brings a calm presence into our lives and also strengthens our ability to observe ourselves. The other is the practice of dispassionate nonattachment, not being attached to the way we think things should be. We can observe ourselves when we get frustrated or upset and discern what we can let go of in order to be content with the present circumstances. Then we can move forward with the right actions that support us in living the life that we want to live. We don't have to suffer.
When the mind is singularly concentrated in meditation, all distractions are arrested. But until such interiorization is mastered, the devotee must persistently practice mind control; and he/she should also take common sense measures to eliminate, or at least minimize, invasive external stimuli.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
We should choose a clean quiet place to meditate so that we are not disturbed. But more importantly, we should use a technique of concentration to bring all our attention to a focal point, such as the breath. This persistent and intense concentration captivates the mind and over time will make it our willing helper, rather than the inner critic it can become without mindful control. The goal of effortless freedom is gradually earned by consistent, joyful discipline. Rather than consider discipline in a negative manner, we can embrace it as a path to freedom.
Established in a comfortable, steady meditation posture, in a clean and appropriate place; There, intent upon practice, with thoughts and senses controlled, one should engage in meditation to purify the mind.
~Bhagavad Gita 6:11,12
The Bhagavad Gita is scripture that comes from India and is thought to have been written 4-5000 years ago. It teaches us about meditation and ethical living and how both practices work together, supporting us in living a life that is free from suffering, among other spiritual concepts. These two verses tell us about having a firm, steady but comfortable posture. The next verse instructs us to hold the body, head and neck erect, motionless and steady, gazing into the spiritual eye. The importance of posture (in Sanskrit the word for posture is Asana) with similar instructions is taught in another important scripture, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjaliwhich were compiled about two thousand years ago. These instructions are time-tested. If we truly want to realize the benefits of meditation and experience true peace, posture is very important. Lying down or slouching in a chair may bring relaxation and sleep but will not allow us to experience meditative consciousness. Meditate with intention and experience pure awareness.
