Mental and physical health are natural when your body-mind constitution is balanced and you live in harmony with the laws of nature and rhythms of life.
Affirm: "I do what is necessary to always experience radiant health."
~Roy Eugene Davis
Our bodies and minds naturally want to function at the optimal level. Our modern day and age has brought us many ways to decrease our level of health. What many of us find as the easiest ways to eat and entertain ourselves, with processed foods and sedentary life styles, damages our health and makes it difficult for our body and minds to heal. The amazing thing is that once we decide to prioritize our health, we can find it quite simple and we can heal quickly. Take the time to pay attention to what you put into your body as food. Enjoy the abundance of delicious flavors that nature brings us without the extra processing and sugar. Notice how your body feels and how your mind is clearer when you eat cleanly. Notice how you feel when you take a walk in nature—even if it is just around the block noticing the gardens in your neighborhood. Notice how you feel more at peace, less stressed and your emotions are calmer when you meditate regularly. Simple actions are all that are needed to bring balance to your body and mind. Remember that you are an integral aspect of divine nature that you see all around you. Live in harmony with that and experience radiant health.
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 seem to 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.
Images of earth from space show us a planet free of boundaries. What will it be like for us to live as one—the truth that we have seen and know in our hearts? When a new vision arises, the old way fights to maintain the status quo. See through appearances to embrace the highest truth.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Many of the astronauts who saw the earth for the first time from space came back to say that it was a life changing experience for them. When we see those images we are reminded that the boundaries that have been created are really just an illusion. In this day and age we are constantly reminded of the perceived boundaries between us—boundaries of race, of nationality, of gender, of politics, of religion, we could go on and on. As John Lennon said "Imagine all the people living life in peace." We can live as one. While honoring each other's differences we can live our lives in the continual remembrance that we are One. Our intentional meditation practice supports us in that remembrance.
Every tomorrow is determined by every today.
~Paramahansa Yogananda.
As meditators we learn to let thoughts arise and fall away that do not seem useful. When we look at our daily experience, we can see that thoughts morph into words and finally into action. The spiritual principle of karma informs us that all our actions have consequences. So why not make the very best of today knowing that it will bring a brighter tomorrow not just for ourselves but for all those around us? It is wonderful to realize how empowered we are.
To meditate is to be
like the flower at dawn
turning toward the sun.
Doing what it is naturally
inclined to do, the flower is
energized into opening.
This flower opening
is the fulfillment of life's
intention. Its beauty
is effortless.
The flower fulfills its destiny;
its beauty speaks to those
who pass by, saying:
Creator! Love! Possibility!
Each day, turn within
to the Source of life.
Be energized, be fulfilled,
let your life open in beauty.
The successful practice of meditation requires balance and focus — qualities that are essential to a happy, successful life. Cultivate balance today.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Just think about how most broadly successful days start even in these stressful times. For many of us, our days can begin with meditation and gentle exercise. That affects our entire day in a positive way. Life can be a blissful dance when we balance work, satisfying and supportive relationships, moderate healthy eating, and uplifting play. We all know what it feels like when we lose this balance, so why not make wise choices that benefit us and all those around us? We cannot honestly blame circumstances for the choices we make so why not choose balance?
Gratitude is not a feeling; it is an attitude. We can practice it regardless of how we feel in any given moment. When we cultivate a grateful attitude regardless of external conditions, we magnetize our awareness for good and contribute to peace. Gratitude turns us towards truth and frees us from self-preoccupation and worry.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
We hear a lot about gratitude but there are times when it feels difficult to find something to be grateful for. We can have our moments when all we see around makes us feel angry, worried or fearful. This attitude of gratitude is something that we need to practice all the time, but how? When we practice gratitude when times are good it is easier to find things to be grateful for when times are hard. When we have a regular practice of gratitude, as Yogacharya O'Brian says "...regardless of external conditions we magnetize our awareness for good...". What is a regular practice of gratitude? Dr. Rick Hanson has written several books about developing resilience to overcome difficulties in our lives. He says, "Each day is like a path strewn with many little jewels...that are easy to overlook...The jewels are already there. Why not pick some of them up?" For example, noticing the taste of the glass of water that we drink, how we feel refreshed after drinking that water and then having gratitude for even being able to drink that water, that is a jewel that we are picking up. It takes some effort to pay attention and appreciate the many small good things we encounter each day. When we do that regularly, we are creating an habit of gratitude. That attitude of gratitude is what will carry us through the difficult times.
Gratitude is not a feeling; it is an attitude. We can practice it regardless of how we feel in any given moment. When we cultivate a grateful attitude regardless of external conditions, we magnetize our awareness for good and contribute to peace. Gratitude turns us towards truth and frees us from self-preoccupation and worry.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
We hear a lot about gratitude but there are times when it feels difficult to find something to be grateful for. We can have our moments when all we see around makes us feel angry, worried or fearful. This attitude of gratitude is something that we need to practice all the time, but how? When we practice gratitude when times are good it is easier to find things to be grateful for when times are hard. When we have a regular practice of gratitude, as Yogacharya O'Brian says "...regardless of external conditions we magnetize our awareness for good...". What is a regular practice of gratitude? Dr. Rick Hanson has written several books about developing resilience to overcome difficulties in our lives. He says, "Each day is like a path strewn with many little jewels...that are easy to overlook...The jewels are already there. Why not pick some of them up?" For example, noticing the taste of the glass of water that we drink, how we feel refreshed after drinking that water and then having gratitude for even being able to drink that water, that is a jewel that we are picking up. It takes some effort to pay attention and appreciate the many small good things we encounter each day. When we do that regularly, we are creating an habit of gratitude. That attitude of gratitude is what will carry us through the difficult times.
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.
