The focus and resolve needed to dive deep in meditation is cultivated in the hundreds of ways throughout our day that we resist and transmute self-will. Every time we do what we know is right for us, we strengthen our ability to go deeper in meditation.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
When we begin a meditation practice, we become aware of the myriad disorganized thoughts that come into our mind. Over time using a technique like focusing on the breath, we learn to let the thoughts fall away and bring the mind to a single point of focus. Next we become aware of a new way of making decisions. We learn to differentiate between the selfish promptings of ego and the enlightened intuition unleashed by our meditation practice. Making the ego a useful helpmate instead of our boss deepens our meditation day by day. We have embraced the virtuous cycle where right living strengthens meditation and meditation returns the favor.
Developing one-pointed attention is valuable on the meditation cushion and off. When the mind is calm, not flitting from one thought to the next, energy is conserved and vital force is available for the task at hand.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Our practice of meditation is important in many ways. When we are able to quiet our thoughts we are able to decrease stress and benefit physically, mentally and emotionally. Quieting our thoughts also breaks down the barriers to hearing our inner wisdom. Developing our ability to concentrate by focusing on one point, be that the breath or mantra or with other concentration techniques, allows us to manage our time and our energy more efficiently. In this way we can eliminate the stress of that feeling of not having enough time. Having a regular, daily meditation practice is a key tool for our health and well being and allows us to live from the place of inner peace that is the core of who we are.
Notice the way attention moves from thought to thought and sometimes, in-between thoughts, comes to rest in the heart. Look there.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Scripture reassures us saying we are not alone in noticing that the mind is as restless as the wind. When we use the technique of focusing on the breath to quiet the mind, it can help to watch for the space between breaths. As we enter the time between the inhalation and exhalation, there is the peacefulness of no thought, just deep stillness. As we continue this practice, this space lengthens and we can drop into the heart space of peacefulness itself let the technique fall away. This is our natural state of meditative awareness free of thought. Later if it is interrupted by thoughts, sound or sensations, we can always pick up the technique again.
Concentration acts as a purifying agent for the mind and the heart and prepares the way for meditation.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Our ongoing practice of meditation is founded in ethical living. Next we adjust our posture so that it is stable, upright and comfortable. Then we modulate our breath to enhance and channel our vital force. After that we close our eyes and turn all our energies inward. From here, concentration on a single point of focus like the breath creates the conditions that can enable meditation to. We cannot force or produce meditation by any act of will but single pointed concentration is the vital step that enables meditation to occur. When meditation comes it brings many gifts: an abiding peacefulness, enhanced intuition and a gentler perspective on life itself.
With a mind full of thoughts that run like a stampede of horses, how is it possible to know happiness? When the restless mind is brought to a still point through meditation, the stampeding horses stop to drink from the waters of the soul’s joy.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
The lasting happiness of abiding joy is our true nature and awaits us in meditation. As we slowly and steadily pursue a daily practice of meditation our mind and our attitude begin to clear. The moments of peace in meditation begin to lengthen and over time our daily life becomes more serene. The joy we feel from inside is reflected in the kindness of others and we begin to notice that events conspire to help us achieve our useful endeavors. Begin or deepen your meditation practice today.
To experience the real solution to a problem, enter the temple of spiritual Truth beyond words and thoughts. Sit in the silence, receptive to your soul’s inspiration. It will come.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
At the core of our being is a quiet peaceful center. At that center lies the truth and knowing of all. We often call that intuition. We have all experienced it, whether we have followed that intuition or not. There is a part of us that knows the answer to a problem. There is a part of us that knows what the way forward is. That answer comes from that quiet place. All we have to do is listen. When we sit in meditation, allowing all of our busy thoughts to settle, that inner knowing can reveal itself. We know it is right, because we feel at peace with the answer. It just feels right. Our practice teaches us to be able to trust that intuition. As Roy Eugene Davis says, "Do what you know you should do."
Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
Cleanliness or purity is the first of the internally focused life style practices of Yoga. As we follow this practice, we consciously observe and then clean up our physical and mental environment. Meditation teaches to observe and then watch thoughts fall away that are not useful. We find that it helps to unclutter our work environment at the end of each day. At home spring cleaning can help us simplify our environment: the innate beauty of mundane objects shines forth when there are not too many. Simplifying our diet to mostly or all plant based foods has many health benefits. Simplification brings the innate happiness of freedom.
Like the silence that is present in the radiant daffodil shining by the roadside, the silent radiance of our essence of being blesses and uplifts those around us.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
At this time of the year the abundance of wonderful, vibrant flowers all around us is lifting up our spirits. These beautiful spring flowers are a visible demonstration of our own vibrant light that is within each one of us. When we allow that light to shine out into the world, we affect those around us, just as we are lifted up when we observe the radiance of the daffodil. Through our practice of meditation and living a conscious, ethical life we clear away the obstacles to letting that silent radiance shine from us. Life is so much easier and joyous when we allow it to shine. We all have it. Let it shine brightly!
Many people meditate till they feel a touch of peace, but jump up then and leave their meditation for their activities. Whenever possible, however, sit for a long time after your practice of the techniques. That is when the deepest enjoyment comes. Intuition is developed by continuously deepening that enjoyment, and, later on, by holding on to its calm aftereffect.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
The time after meditation offers special opportunities if we take the time to explore them. It is perfect for working with affirmations: positive statements that describe conditions we desire and consciously acknowledge as already in the making. It is a wonderful time for prayer in support of others. Finally the deepest level of understanding can be revealed to us in the form of intuition, and we recognize the truth of what has come to us when it is accompanied by a deep peace and certainty of our new knowledge, free of desire or haste.
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
During our time of sitting meditation an easy technique that is used to quiet the mind is breath observation. Just observe the quality of the breath as you breathe in and as you breath out. Notice the change in quality of inhalation and exhalation. Notice the quiet pause between the in-breath and the out-breath. Use breath observation as your point of focus until your mind is calm and quiet and then let go of the technique. Take it up again when you notice you are distracted. Using this technique we become aware of how the breath is a powerful tool to help us in calming the thoughts and clarifying the mind. We always have this tool with us. When we are going about our daily life, when we notice moments when we become anxious or angry, before reacting, we can take just one conscious breath. We can touch that place of happiness within us. This is how we learn to control our thoughts, rather than have them control us. We can be transformed in just one moment.
Meditation is not difficult. Getting beyond the ego's resistance to meditation -- that can be difficult. For this, nothing but commitment realized through daily practice will suffice.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
The joyous self-discipline of daily meditation over time enables us to enjoy the many benefits of meditation: enhanced health, an increased ability to focus, and improved relationships among many others. The initial difficulty of sticking to a daily practice has the added benefit of teaching us about the ego. We slowly learn to recognize when it is giving us bad advice and wait for the inspired guidance of our true self. Then the world responds in support of all our useful endeavors.
Let the attracting power of your thoughts and states of consciousness bring the experience, events, resources, people, and circumstances which are for your highest good.
~Roy Eugene Davis
Using affirmation is a tool to remind ourselves that we already are what we seek, that we already have all that we need. Affirmations are used to declare what is already true about us, even if in the moment we don't feel that it is true. Mr. Davis tells us to "speak them (affirmations) with decisive intention, then mentally to experience their transformative effects." We use the present tense for our affirmation using words such as "I am.." or "My mind is...". Using words such as "I will.." are not useful because they always keeps us looking toward the future rather than the present.
When we live our lives in harmony with what is true about us at our deepest level — our inner-most being, life is joyful, content and peaceful. There is freedom in not trying to fight with our natural tendencies. When we live in that freedom we are able to perceive life more clearly. When we live in that freedom we are able to cooperate with the universal flow of good that powers all life. Affirmation, our meditation practice and our practices of ethical living support us in removing the barriers to realizing the truth about ourselves.
It is better to meditate a little bit with depth than to meditate long with the mind running here and there. If you do not make an effort to control the mind it will go on doing as it pleases, no matter how long you sit to meditate.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
When we sit to meditate we must be watchful and ready to notice distractions caused by thoughts, sounds and sensations. When we notice a distraction, we can return to our point of focus on the breath, a mantra, or that energetic center between and slightly above the eyebrows. This concentration technique quiets the mind by giving it a single point of focus. We wait expectantly for the subtle shift from concentration into the deep peacefulness of meditation when we can drop the technique and just dwell in our own innate bliss. With practice we can turn the mind into a compliant tool, rather than an uncontrolled playground of the ego.
Meditation is a way of life. It is learning how to be present. Meditate because you love yourself. Meditate because you love life.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Meditation is not just sitting on our cushion or meditation chair each day, it is a way of life. It is being present to life and loving it. It is knowing what and who we are as spirit, expressing through these bodies. It is being happy and content.
This isn't a "Pollyanna" way of thinking, but a way of seeing the world for what it is. If we experience things or circumstances that are causing suffering, our daily meditation practice allow us to intuitively know what is ours to do.
Our practice of meditation each day supports us in opening up to the ocean of wisdom of which we are a part of. From that wisdom we can be a force for love and peace in the world.
To meditate, use the power of the mind itself to subdue restless thoughts. This is accomplished through intention, focus, and ultimately, surrender.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
We begin our meditation practice with a conscious affirmation that we will meditate deeply. Next we employ a concentration technique like focusing on the breath or breathing through the spiritual eye to quiet our thoughts and purify the mental field. When distractions occur, we come back to the focus technique. We remain alert, waiting for the shift from concentration into the deep peacefulness of meditation itself. After we reach meditation if we fall back out, we can always
return to the technique. We are always surrendered to the ongoing reality of our meditation experience. Some days the process is relatively easy, some days it is not at all easy, but we know that our efforts are never wasted.
We live in a world of pure possibility. Open the windows of your mind.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Often it is thought that we may not have a choice of what is happening in our lives because of the circumstances we find ourselves in or events in our life. We may think that what is happening is out of our control. It is very exciting to think that we can live in a world where anything that is for the greater good is possible. We are not limited by what we think, what others think or by our perceptions. We can open the windows of our mind, by clearing the cobwebs of doubt, fear, or feelings of not being worthy. We open the windows of our mind by letting our thoughts settle, by focusing on the sky, not the clouds going by. Through the silence of meditation we can see the endless possibilities and then discern what is ours to do.
One of the reasons why spiritual retreats can be supportive of
physical, mental and spiritual renewal is that, besides more frequent
meditation sessions, we have time to simply be. ... Once we integrate
meditation into our schedule, we can discover how valuable it is on all
levels of our being.
~Roy Eugene Davis
Retreats offer us the spaciousness to both meditate more deeply and to
spend more time being, rather than doing. Our regular daily meditation
practice offers the experience of just being at a deeply nurturing
level. When we cross the boundary from concentration into meditation, we
are replenished on a cellular level and we accumulate many benefits. We
enhance our ability to focus, our false sense of isolation falls away,
we become more compassionate and our intuition is enhanced. We begin to
smile, imagining a world where everyone enjoys the full benefits of meditation.
