It is on the inward condition that the outer reality depends. ~Roy Eugene Davis
Why is it that life just seems a bit harder on days we do not meditate? The inner peace we carry with us not only colors our perception of events in the world, but impacts them. When we listen to our intuition and just do what we know we should do, we find that most people and situations are naturally friendly and supportive. Even when things do not turn out as we planned, we get a welcoming chance to learn and adapt with an inner smile. This virtuous cycle begins with our meditation practice and follows us into the world. Then we naturally return the favor to all around us.
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 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.
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] At the very least, our meditation helps us become better on not saying things that might get us into trouble later.
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
Our home is our sanctuary. 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. Consider how you care for your spirit, paying attention to having some time in silence each day. That meditative energy fills your home. Look for the joy around you throughout your day and bring the remembrance of those joyful moments home. Consider how you care for your surroundings. Is your home clean and uncluttered? Do the things around you "bring you joy", as the decluttering expert Marie Kondo teaches? If not, why do you keep them? Light a candle. Bring in some nature. Create that space of peace so that when you walk in the door you feel the big hug that it gives you. Your home is your sanctuary.
Remember, people suffer only because they think things ought to be different from what they are. ~Paramahansa Yogananda
Non-attachment is the mental practice which frees us from the pain caused by the cycle of likes and dislikes that trouble the mind. Our meditation practice gives us the freedom to let thoughts fall away which we do not find useful because they strongly attract or repulse us. This is not to say that we condone or ignore negative occurrences. We simply do not let our mental field be colored by them. The resulting equanimity gives us the freedom to take right action whatever circumstances we face. Acceptance of reality is a bit like our final exam on the path of meditation.
Being fully present in the moment dismantles worry. It is not possible to be fully present to what is now and worry at the same time. Notice. Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
This message from Yogacharya O'Brian is so timely for us right now in Sonoma County. We have recently been dealing with power outages, fires and evacuations. This of course brings back the trauma that many of us lived through two years ago. It is so easy to fall into a worried, anxious state of mind. It is easy to panic. Yogacharya is reminding us to notice and acknowledge our feelings. Once we understand what and why we are feeling worried or anxious we can deal with our feelings in a way that is calm so we don't react with inappropriate anger or fear. Also, from that place of calmness we can make the right decisions. Once we become present to our feelings, all we may need to do is take a deep breath and feel our minds and our bodies in this present moment. A single breath is all it takes. Dismantle worry.
True meditation occurs spontaneously. Wait with keen, focused, attention to observe the moment it begins. Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
The most obvious goal of our daily meditation practice is to attain meditative awareness but it is almost ironic to realize that we cannot make this happen. We begin with intentionality and proper posture. We turn our attention inside and next we use a focus technique like following the breath to quiet the mind. Then we have to let go and merely wait for the transition from concentration to meditation. Desire for this to happen simply gets in the way. Because of this our daily practice is a great exercise in non-attachment to outcomes.
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.
Our thoughts and intentions are powerful; let us direct them toward our highest aspirations. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
What we think and what we intend is powerful. Let go of negative thinking. Our positive thoughts and intentions support our highest good, the good of others and the good of the world. They do manifest. As more of us think, speak and act from that positive, loving, compassionate place towards ourselves, all people and all situations, we align with the loving, compassionate power of the universe. Take time each day in silence to align with the flow of the universe. Together we can change the world!
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. Fear of the future and regret about the past can fall away. Our daily meditation practice gives us the tools to let thoughts arise and fall away which are not useful. We can come to live in the joy which is our true inner nature and enjoy the freedom of a peaceful life.
There is a great universal good now unfolding, and you are a part of it. Everyone is. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
In this day and age when we are bombarded with bad news, divisive news and angry news we think that is all there is going on in this world. But there is so much more good in the world. We can each accept our responsibility to be a part of the universal good. We can each be attentive to small kindnesses that we receive and to offer those small kindnesses ourselves, each day. Our regular meditation practice calms our minds and opens our hearts to the good all around us. Poet Danusha Lameris said "What if they (small kindnesses) are the true dwelling of the holy, these fleeting temples we make together when we say 'Here have my seat.' 'Go ahead, you first.' 'I like your hat."* Be attentive. You are a part of the universal good.
*Lameris, Danusha, Moons of August, Autumn House 2014
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 time of stillness lengthens and we can drop into the heart space of peacefulness. This is our natural state of meditative awareness, free of thought. Later when we notice that this stillness is interrupted by thoughts, sound or sensations, we can always pick up the technique again. Rest in the heart of stillness.
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. We know what the way forward is. The answer to a problem is there for us when we are quiet and listen. Sitting in meditation, allowing all of our busy thoughts to settle, paves the way for our inner knowing to reveal itself. We will know it is right because we feel at peace with the answer. It just feels right. With practice we learn to trust our intuition. As Roy Eugene Davis says, "Do what you know you should do."
The person who has inner peace can abide in this state even in the midst of outer discord. ~Paramahansa Yogananda
When we begin a daily meditation practice, we get short glimpses of inner peace that are not dependent on outer circumstances. This deep peacefulness is our true nature. As we continue to meditate this peacefulness expands and starts to last longer each time. After some time we can access this peace even outside of meditation by taking just one conscious breath. We develop helpful habits like using silent mantra to calm the mind in challenging situations. As our practice becomes steadier, we are happily surprised to become the level headed one in times of discord. This promise of inner peace turns out to be the one true thing we can really count on.
Grief is a doorway to greater love, if we will go through it and allow it to change us. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
The devastating news of the past weeks, the mass shootings in Gilroy, El Paso and Dayton has left many of us feeling at such a loss to know what to do and how to feel. We feel frustrated, angry, and deeply sad for those who have lost their lives, for their families and for our country, no matter what our political persuasion. What can we do as individuals? Some of us are inspired to action and some of us don't know what action to take next. One important action that we all can take is to spend some time in silence. When we can take time to calm our minds, we can rest in the peace that is innate to us all. When the thought waves are calmed, we can discern what the next right action is to take. When the thought waves are calmed we can get in touch with the compassion and love that is at the core of our being. That love and compassion is energy that is passed on like ripples on a lake. We each can be the presence of peace and love in our families and in our communities. As more and more of us are the peaceful presence and act from that place instead of from anger, it will change us and change the world around us for the better. Take time to experience your grief and allow your practice of meditation to support you in moving through it. Let the deep silence speak to you and support you in being the presence of love and compassion in the world.
Whatever you give out, you will attract in kind. ~Paramahansa Yogananda
The law of attraction states that like attracts like. When we allow our mind to be pervaded with thoughts of lack, what we are looking for will most likely elude us. The first miracle of meditation is that we can become exquisitely aware of the contents of our mind. Once this takes place, we can let those thoughts and emotions fall away that are not useful. This gentle form of control, based on meditation, allows us freedom from regret about the past or worry about the future. Freedom comes from awareness and internal self discipline.
When thoughts settle in meditation, we naturally experience inner peace. Be conscious of that experience and take it in. Notice it and feel your awareness expand into it. You can take it with you wherever you go. Here's how: After meditating, take a few minutes to inwardly "gather up" that peace and intend to share it with everyone you meet. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from Living for the Sake of the Soul
Paramahansa Yogananda told us that our peace is portable because at the core of our being, our peace is always with us. Our meditation practice quiets our minds enough so that we experience the peace that is innate to our being. It removes the obstacles that get in the way of us experiencing that peace. Even if we think that while we are sitting our mind has been too busy, there are moments of quiet that are extremely powerful. As we end our time of sitting, it is important to take a few moments to be conscious of that peaceful energy and send it out into our day ahead and send it out to all those we encounter. Our intention is our blessing for all.
Even-mindedness is the doorway to real enthusiasm and compassion; it’s our entryway to delight and to play. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
We can experience our lives as delightful! In the teachings of the spiritual practice of yoga, we are told that there are four spiritual goals in life: to live our life in the highest and best way, to have pleasure in life, to have the prosperity that we need to live in the highest way and the fourth goal is to be free. Even-mindedness means we are not worried, angry, or expecting praise for work that we have done. It means we are content with our life and have faith that the choices we make and the actions we perform will bring us what we need and want and will ultimately serve the highest good. Our daily meditation practice, when practiced with intention and a smile, will bring even-mindedness and delight to our lives.
To bring forth abundance and experience the fullness of life, we start by accessing it within us. We change our thoughts. We change our internal conversation. We change our speech. And we change our viewpoint —our way of looking at the world and interpreting our experience. Affirmation gives us a new way of seeing. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian quoted from the Jewel of Abundance: Finding Prosperity Through the Ancient Wisdom of Yoga
When we combine meditation with the practice of affirmation we can change our experience from one of lack to one of abundance. Begin with gratitude after meditation each day. Voice out loud or silently all the things you are grateful for. Then choose an affirmation such as: 'As I make wise choices, all my needs are met on time and in abundance'. Then be receptive to the ways the universe supports you. As we work with the affirmation we will begin to experience new and positive opportunities.
Nothing takes the place of daily, disciplined, surrendered meditation. Dedication is even more important than technique. ~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from The Jewel of Abundance: Finding Prosperity Through the Ancient Wisdom of Yoga. www.ellengraceobrian.com
A daily meditation practice is the best thing that we can do for ourselves. Our practice influences everything else in our lives. It improves our physical and mental health, our relationships and our understanding of ourselves and those around us. Meditation also affects our ability to make wise choices. There is no aspect of our lives that our meditation practice doesn't affect. It doesn't matter what technique you use to quiet the mind, just the dedication, the discipline of getting to your meditation chair or cushion and using that technique is what works. Your dedication and discipline to bringing yourself back to your technique whenever you notice that you have become distracted is also important. This action is teaching us to become more aware and conscious of our thinking mind and what is happening there. In the spiritual text, the Bhagavad Gita, it says that no effort is wasted. Finally, let go of thinking that you should accomplish something during your time of meditation practice or let go of what you think your time of meditation should be like. Let go and let meditation reveal itself in whatever way it will happen. Just trust that it is healing, even if you aren't perceiving what you think the outcome should be. Surrender to the process. It is all good.
