The Sanskrit term mantra means a spiritual tool for the mind, a formula for reaching higher states of consciousness... Mantra practice liberates the mind from the confining structure of thought form. It frees the mind from the constraint of concepts and allows it to be a vehicle or conduit for higher understanding and insight. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian From her book The Jewel of Abundance
We can use a mantra from a sacred language such as the So Ham mantra in Sanskrit (So - That / Ham - I am, meaning I am that which I seek) or an English word like 'peace' or a phrase such as 'I am peace.' Silent repetition of the mantra at the beginning of our practice can captivate the mind and make it easier to reach a single point of focus. The normal chatter of random thoughts can fall away and leave us in that state of deep peacefulness which is our true nature and which we call meditation. Try using mantra at the beginning of your practice and you may find it a very valuable tool.
Meditate deeply and you will erase all fears and gain the unshakeable consciousness of soul freedom. After every deep meditation, you will find yourself becoming freer inside. ~Paramahansa Yogananda
With the fires that we are currently experiencing all throughout California and in our area of Sonoma County, we are all experiencing some fear and worry. For some who have been evacuated from their homes, there is fear that the homes that they love could be destroyed. For those not evacuated we are on tenterhooks, waiting for the call. Everyone is experiencing discomfort at some level with all of the smoke. As always, I turn to my spiritual practice of meditation and the teachings of the sages, the wise teachers, that calm me. Regular meditation is the key to the door of inner peace. I find that my regular practice has given me the tools to stay calm and from that place make the right decisions at the right time. I can then extend that calm energy to my family and friends. I become free from uncontrolled fear and anxiety. I am able to then think clearly. It is so much easier to live from that place. This is the freedom that a regular meditation practice brings.
When we focus on flaws, the problem gets bigger, and the energy for dealing with it gets smaller. When we focus on the existence of basic goodness, the energy for positive change is enhanced. Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
In this time of turmoil in the world, most of what we hear in the news is all the negative. Although we want and need to know what is happening in the world, it can cause a lot of anxiety and stress. That stress leads to physical, emotional and mental dis-ease and depletes our energy. When we allow ourselves to only focus on that, that is all that we experience. It takes some work, but taking some time each day to see the positive gifts all around us keeps us physically healthier, mentally stronger and spiritually enriched. All we need to do is spend some time in nature, slow down and really take in the beauty of what we see—even just a walk around the block looking at the neighbor's gardens. When our outlook is positive, we can radiate that out to others and affect the world view. Our meditation practice slows us down and offers an opportunity to create positive changes in our bodies and minds and allows us to get in touch with Reality, which is only good. Our positive energy levels increase. Focus on basic goodness and create positive energy.
[A] common belief that blocks happiness is the idea that it's selfish to be happy when so many people around us, or in the world, are suffering. This, too, can be easily remedied by becoming aware that our happiness doesn't take away from the happiness of others — it contributes to it. Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian - from her book The Jewel of Abundance, (2018, New World Library)
This true inner happiness is not the temporary relief we feel when a desire is satisfied, but the very core of our own nature. Meditation brings us in touch with the bliss that is at the heart of our being and at the center of Reality. This true happiness enables us to be skillful in service to others in the midst of challenges and frees us from overly identifying with changing events and turbulence in the mind. This happiness enables us to be useful and frees us not from pain but from suffering. Embrace your happiness!
The seeds planted in this moment are the flowers of our future. Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions. They are the seeds that blossom and bear fruit according to their nature. If we yearn for peace, we must cultivate it first in our own consciousness. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from her book Living for the Sake of the Soul
In times of turmoil it is easy to be angry and fearful. When we plant negative seeds, we experience the fruit of those seeds. Our meditation practice trains our mind to turn toward the positive. The more we practice, the easier it is to see the good in the world. When we encounter the negative, it becomes almost automatic to turn our minds toward the positive. We can then act from that place of positivity. Our positive actions and our peaceful outlook can bring real positive change to a tumultuous world. Plant seeds of wonder, love and compassion. Experience peace and a happy life for yourself and for others.
To expect mundane events, circumstances, or relationships to provide us with peace of mind and soul-satisfaction is to invite eventual disappointment and discontentment because all outer conditions are changeable and impermanent. ~Roy Eugene Davis
Meditation and harmonious living offer us a way out of this dilemma. A steady meditation practice puts us in touch with the inner peace and joy that is our true nature. Daily immersion in the peace of meditation then gives us an inner harmony that can survive these changing circumstances. As we redirect our activities to serve the greater good, meditation becomes easier because there are fewer causes of disturbance in the mind. The peace of meditation allows us to live our lives with greater equanimity.
Use discernment to guide the senses. Without the guidance of wisdom, senses are like a runaway train without a conductor. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Every day, every moment we are making decisions, big and small. We can react or respond. Quick reactions that come from anger or upset can take us down a path that we really don't want to go. They can cause difficulty in our relationships. This is the runaway train that our senses can take us on. Our meditation practice teaches us to observe our minds. In our daily life, as we observe, we can take the time to discern how we want to respond and take the best action for ourselves and those around us. In this time of history when we are living in so much turmoil, having control of our thoughts, speech and actions supports us and the world around us. When we are in control of that train we feel more at peace. Listen to your wisdom guidance. Live a happier life.
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
Our attitude determines our experience. Think back on days when you were full of cheerful enthusiasm. Didn't things just turn out better? Weren't other people just kinder? On days when events around us are overwhelming, it may seem that nothing goes right. Daily meditation prepares us for a day filled with positive energy and joy. Meditation clears the mind and brings us back in touch with the natural joy which is our inner nature. Even when times are difficult, meditation nurtures a positive attitude and enables us to better support others.
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. 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, 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.
Meditation is not a cure-all. It won't get us a job, pay the bills, or heal a broken marriage. It will, however, enhance our ability to do any of that, and more. Meditate deep enough, often enough, and long enough, and we see. Everything improves when we become more aware.... We see our self, everyone, and everything as it is. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from The Jewel of Abundance
Our daily meditation practice gradually helps us overcome the prejudiced coloring that the ego applies to events. We become less dependent on external signs of approval and bring a self-generated peace into every encounter. We become more aware that the universe is supportive in both good times and when we encounter difficulties. We experience control, not over pain, but realize freedom from suffering. Fear and stress give way to the abiding joy that we realize is our true nature in meditation.
We cannot stop our thoughts. But we can change them. And changing our thoughts changes everything. When we change what we focus on, we change our experience of life. ~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Our thoughts are not who we are. We are greater than our mind and our thoughts. We know that because we can observe our thoughts. In the philosophical teachings of yoga, thoughts are described as fluctuations in the mind-field. Through our meditation practice we become more aware of the thoughts we have and become aware that we have the power to change them. When we observe thoughts that are disturbing, we realize that we can change our minds and entertain thoughts that are more pleasing and beneficial to our body, mind and spirit. We can calm the fluctuations. A calmer mind allows us to sleep better and make better choices for our health. A calmer mind allows us to have better relationships. A calmer mind allows us to live a more peaceful, more content life. Change your experience of life.
While we are training the mind to be still, we reap numerous benefits from our practice - our stress level is reduced, we become more peaceful, our ability to concentrate improves, and we notice more frequent bouts of contentment. ~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Studies show that it can take as little as eight to ten weeks for new meditators to experience these benefits when we meditate for at least twenty minutes every day. As we continue to deepen our practice, life flows more gracefully and we notice that the universe supports all our worthwhile goals. Re-commit to your meditation practice starting today.
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
When we first begin to meditate we notice the whirlwind of thoughts that move through an uncontrolled mind. As our meditation practice becomes more steady, we bring the mind to a single point of focus on the breath and experience longer and longer moments of peaceful rest. In meditation we form the habit of being fully present. Then in daily life we can observe events and act appropriately without the stress of upsetting reactions to what is happening. We begin to live the freedom that we seek.
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
We all have those times when we are feeling down. We may be having negative thoughts about a relationship or something that is happening around us. We may be worried or frustrated. 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.
Ahimsa points to love, compassion, and kindness as the logical and necessary arc of acting nonviolently. To be truly nonviolent, to refrain from harming another being, oneself, or the environment is to act with kindness. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
On this weekend as we honor the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King we celebrate how he placed nonviolent action as the center of his work. Ahimsa is the Sanskrit word for nonviolence or not harming. Ahimsa is a deep practice that we can all bring into our lives in many ways. Of course, the obvious is that we don't physically harm another being but it is also a more subtle practice. Do we participate in gossip or speaking ill of another? Do we speak ill of ourselves when we are frustrated with ourselves for some reason? Are we quick to anger? Our meditation practice teaches us to slow down and to observe our thoughts, speech and actions. As in meditation when we notice we have lost our focus, we observe ourselves in our daily lives and notice and gently make a course correction if needed. As we become more aware, thinking, speaking and acting with kindness is effortless and comes naturally. Kindness is who we are. This is our gift to the world.
We celebrate the 100th anniversary of Paramahansa Yogananda coming to the U.S.
The season of failure is the best time for sowing the seeds of success. ~Paramahansa Yogananda
Our daily meditation practice helps us minimize the waste of energy when things do not work out as planned because we learn to control the contents of our mind. Then an understanding of non-attachment can be even more helpful. When things do work out as planned, fine. But when our plans do not come to fruition, a supportive universe is just giving us helpful feedback. This is a great opportunity for learning and encourages us to welcome change. The key is in embracing this helpful advice.
Be observant of moods, not mastered by them. Be guided by the steady lamp of truth, not by flashes of emotion or intellectual opinion. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Our life and our relationships are so much easier and peaceful if we can observe our moods and control them. Letting our moods and emotions control us is like sitting in buggy and letting the horses run wherever they want to go. It is up to us to control them and go where we want to go. Our meditation practice teaches us to observe our thoughts. Then during the day we can be in more control—acting, speaking and thinking in harmony with what we know is wise and right. That is the lamp of truth that guides us.
We can mobilize the power of our determination by setting an intention, making a declaration, and offering it as a sacred vow.... A vow becomes sacred when it draws upon our deepest desire, is connected with our life purpose, and serves the greater good. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from her book The Jewel of Abundance
We can take our new year's resolutions to a higher level by using the technique of affirmation. Create a positive verbal affirmation such as "I easily find all the resources I need to carry out my useful intentions." Repeat this verbally and in silence until it resonates by itself. Then rest in the conviction that helpful resolutions are gracefully supported by a friendly universe.
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. Our meditation practice helps us to slow down and notice the good around us. We are moving from the shortest day of the year into longer days, more light. In many ways and many traditions, even for those without a religion, the coming of the light is celebrated at this time of year. Even if this is a difficult time of the year, if we remember that the light is hope, the light is peace, the light is love we can live from that place, we can bring joy to ourselves, our families and to the world.
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 in the mind. 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 lack and attract abundance in an entirely graceful way. Try it every day for a week and you may be surprised. Affirm abundance.
