The belief “I need this or that to bring me happiness or security” affirms lack. Realize your wholeness now. Then watch what is added unto you from your abundance consciousness. Watch.
Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Our daily meditation practice makes us aware of the contents of our mind and gives us the power to change what goes on there. When we catch ourselves complaining, we can recall the principle that 'like attracts like.' Thoughts of lack attract that experience in the real world. A strong gratitude practice can liberate us from the feeling of lack and attract abundance in an entirely graceful way. Try it every day for a week and you may be surprised.
Affirm abundance.
Work with love, steadiness, and full attention on your priority for today. Remember that divine order permeates all that is. Cooperate with it.
Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
When I read this quote I thought about my priorities. As I made my list, I began to realize that my priority in life is what infuses everything that I do. My priority is to think, speak and act from a place of Self-knowing, from remembering who and what I am as a Divine being. It is not always easy to remember but my daily sadhana, my spiritual practice of meditation and prayer, continues to strengthen this knowing. This is the Divine light that infuses every thing and every moment of our life. There are times when I forget and react from a place of anger, frustration or fear. Because of my regular practice I am developing a better "muscle memory" for reacting from a place of peace and love and faith. When I don't know what to do or I am ready to to jump on the fear or anger train, I am able to pause and decide what I need to do in that moment so that I can be more responsive rather than reactive. Like having a regular exercise program to strengthen our physical bodies, our daily meditation practice acts to strenghten our inner knowing allowing us to live our lives, each day, in the highest way.
One of the most persistent obstacles we encounter to our own happiness, peace, and well-being is our tendency to argue with the way things are. Acceptance brings freedom and unleashes our power.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Our daily meditation practice makes us keen observers of our own minds. When we notice the emergence of anger, resentment or fear, we can exercise the power of letting these thoughts fall away and cultivate positive replacements. This is particularly useful with the counter-productive habit of resenting things as they are. We can waste a lot of energy in resentment, or merely let this negative emotion fall away and then take productive steps to deal with the situation as best we can. Meditation opens the path to this freedom.
Meditation on a regular schedule provides frequent opportunities for physiological and psychological rest, while freeing attention to explore more refined states of consciousness and to effortlessly experience spontaneous unfoldment of innate, spiritual qualities.
~Roy Eugene Davis, An Easy Guide to Meditation, CSA Press
Here Mr. Davis is guiding us to understand that meditation is for more than just stress relief—"physiological and psychological rest"—but its regular practice facilitates our experience of higher states of consciousness, beyond our regular waking state. It is here that we can touch into the place of peace and inner wisdom that is who and what we are at the core of our being. Some of the other spiritual qualities he refers to are compassion and love. These are the innate spiritual qualities of all beings, no matter what we may see on the outside. When the myriad thoughts in the mind quiet down in meditation we experience these qualities, carry that knowing into our day and are able to see them in others. From that place of inner knowing of what we are, we "live and move and have our being". This is living in the highest way.
There is always a way out of your trouble; and if you take the time to think clearly, to think how to get rid of the cause of your anxiety instead of just worrying about it, you become a master.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
A steady meditation practice brings many gifts. We become accurate observers of our thought process. We can get control over the contents of our minds, and when we are able to let negative thoughts subside rather than becoming attached to them, we reach the level of mastery and find a solution to our mental suffering. What can you do to strengthen your meditation practice today?
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
We all have experienced habits that keep us from living in the highest way. Those habits can be deeply ingrained and are difficult to break. Desires can create habits. Sometimes the habits are useful and sometimes they aren't. For example, a desire for sweets can create a habit that leads us to unhealthy eating. Or a desire to live a life that is peaceful, joy-filled and fulfilling can come to fruition when we focus on practices that are physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually uplifting. Our regular daily meditation practice supports us in developing the discernment to know what does and doesn't support a better way of living, thinking and being and gives us the self-discipline to create good habits in order to live our best lives.
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 from the man who was a great Yoga master and reminds us that even he had to struggle to overcome the restlessness of the mind. All of the great spiritual meditation teachers tell us that it can be done. Simple 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.
Grace is how wisdom arises, and we receive the light of inspiration. Grace supports the earth and its atmosphere—all things are possible through divine grace and power. Each breath we take, we take through divine grace.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from her blog Divine Grace—The Truth That Sets Us Free
This topic of grace is a favorite of mine. I think it is because I can imagine grace blowing like a soft breeze all around me, giving life to me and to all. It is not something that we see and we can easily ignore it but it is always there. When we remember it, we can appreciate this divine gift and it makes our lives so much easier. We don't have to do anything to earn it or work hard to see it, we just have to open our hearts and our minds to allowing the awareness of it. Gratitude is one way to have the awareness of grace. When we grateful for whatever comes into our lives, we become aware of grace. Even when we are experience a difficult time in our lives we can experience grace. Sometimes those difficulties take us in a direction that we might not have gone in and through that we have new positive experiences. If we take the time to be grateful, even just being grateful for the food on our table and those who made it possible for the food to be there, we can experience the grace in our lives. We have so many opportunities to experience grace each day, if we stay open to it. In the same blog as the above quote came from Yogacharya O'Brian says "Life is infused with divine grace and beauty. It is always, forever, trying to show us that. When we look upon it with gratitude, we are free to see it."
Speech is an intermediate step in the creative process between thought and action or material substance. Let your words be instrumental in bringing forth the highest good you desire.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Our daily meditation practice teaches us to watch and control the thoughts that occur in the mind. In daily life we can encourage useful thoughts and let others fall away. We can observe the impact as thoughts move into the active stage of speech. When our speech is firmly based in truth, it has the power of manifestation. The classic text, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, states that "One who is truthful experiences quick results of actions." [translation by Roy Eugene Davis] Our meditation practice provides the gift of acute awareness of the contents of the mind and the ability to control its contents. As we work on a truthfulness practice, we enable our innate power of speech to manifest positive changes not only in ourselves, but in the external universe that supports our useful endeavors.
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.
Make new determinations as to what you are going to do and what you are going to be in this next year. Set a program for yourself; carry it through, and you will find how much happier you will be.
~Paramahansa Yogananda, 1934
Our practice of meditation and spiritual inquiry give us insights into the true nature of happiness. After a while we come to the realization that real happiness does not depend of the items deposited on our doorsteps by Amazon or on the approval of others. Happiness is an inside job dependent on our consciousness and ability to filter thoughts and emotions which emerge in our mind. So the task of preparing for a better new year comes down to understanding what positive changes we can bring about in ourselves. What determinations are you considering at this auspicious time — the beginning of a new year?
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.
We are moving 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.
On this sacred day, 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.
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? At this time of year, we can get easily out of balance with the busyness of shopping and social gatherings. We may get out of balance with what and how much we are eating. 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 doesn't support your highest good 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.
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. . . Live each moment completely and the future will take care of itself. Fully enjoy the wonder and beauty of each moment.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
It is helpful to examine how much of our time we spend living entirely in the present. How liberating it would be to never worry about the future or regret the past. Even in the midst of activity, it is amazing how much of the time we can all spend thinking about something else. Do you think you can be present when looking at a phone, a tablet or a TV screen? What steps could you take to live more completely in the present and how could your meditation practice help with this?
Take the small step that is right in front of you now. Don't worry about making a giant step or a big change. If you serve with awareness, devotion, and surrender, God will meet you more than halfway and reveal what is next.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Often when we are making a decision or a change in our lives it can feel overwhelming. We worry that we might make the wrong decision or move in the wrong direction. The outcome may not end up being what we thought it would be or what we think that it should be. We may hesitate and because of fear of the unknown we may become stuck in our old, uncomfortable ways which we know are not working for us, but we don't know how to move forward. When I was young and learning how to downhill ski I could get paralyzed at the top of the hill, because the bottom seemed so far away and impossible to get to. But I made a decision to not look at the bottom and just take the first step. I would look just beyond the end of my skis and I made it down, and it was fun! If we decide to just take one step at a time and trust that we will be divinely guided, we will get to where we are supposed to be. Even if we make a misstep, we will easily guided to correct our course. All it takes is surrender, devotion and trust and the whole world will open up to us.
We arrange conditions in our mind conductive to success by changing any thought patterns that are not consistent with thriving. When we notice negativity pervading our thoughts, we can pause, consider what the opposite would be, and then introduce that opposite as a new, more useful thought into the mental field.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
This method of opposites is one of the most powerful tools articulated in the classic Yoga text, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The verse states that "when the mind is disturbed by negative thoughts, one should dwell on their opposites." Our daily meditation practice brings awareness of the quality of thoughts in the mind and gives us the opportunity to change them. If we can move from the heat of anger for example and cultivate loving kindness, we can avoid the unhealthy effects of anger. This practice not only helps all those around us but also opens the path to our own mental, emotional and spiritual freedom.
A grateful heart is a magnet that draws us to what is harmonious and good.... When our hearts are grateful, when we approach others and life itself with gratitude for all that is given, we generally reap more of the same.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from her book The Jewel of Abundance.
At this time of the year the Thanksgiving holiday is wonderful reminder to take some time to reflect on what we are thankful for. We can look at our life, at the ups and downs, the good and the bad and find that there is something to be thankful for even in the bad. I realize that I would not be the person I am today without those difficult times. I can look at the mistakes I have made in my life and see how I have learned and gained strength from them. Then of course there are all of the wonderful gifts that I have been given—the gift of the people in my life, the gift of the beautiful area I live in, the gift of the birds singing in the garden, the gift the air I breathe. Life is always so much more joyful when we approach our lives each day with gratitude.
Solve all your problems through meditation.
~Lahiri Mahasaya
Meditation is the single most important practice we can employ to transform our awareness and equip ourselves to handle life's challenges. A steady devoted meditation practice transforms us, allowing us to have a more postive outlook on life. Our emotions are calmer. It improves our physical and mental health. We are less reactive when difficulties occur. We will think more clearly. And meditation improves our relationship with all those around us. So when faced with a significant problem, begin with meditation. Let the mind become calm. You will find it easier to do the right thing, one step at a time. Decisions will come from a more peaceful place. Then finally, release expectations about outcomes, knowing that all will be in Divine order.
In the stillness of the quiet , if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair.
~Howard Thurman
In this time of local and global upheaval, it is very easy to get caught up in fear—fear of the unknown, especially right now with this current election there is a lot of anxiety. When we find ourselves feeling anxious, worried or afraid, just pause for a moment, breathe and wait for your calm nature to return. From that place you can then decide if you need to take action and what action that might be, or just rest in the peace of your being.
Our world needs more of us to be able to stay calm and think and act rationally. We can be that presence of peace in our homes, with our friends and co-workers and in our communities as a whole. Take the peace that you experience in meditation out into your day. Our world needs your calm presence. Be that.
Just as anxiety about results (of our meditation practice) should be avoided when meditating, so there should be no anxiety about results after meditation. ~Roy Eugene Davis (from his book A Master Guide to Meditation & Spiritual Growth)
When we begin a meditation practice, we may expect our meditations to go a certain way. We may be expecting certain results during our meditation sitting time and then become disappointed or think that we can't meditate when we don't think that we experience those outcomes. We can't know all that is happening during our meditation time because our conscious perceptions are narrow compared to the vastness of our minds and consciousness. If we enter our practice with open-minded, open-hearted intention our time of practice will be fruitful, whether or not we think it is. Let go of any anxiety about your practice. Set an intention that your time of practice brings all good things to you, the beings around you and to the world. Then just relax into the practice and trust. Enjoy your practice. Enjoy your life.
