Choose Equanimity

Our state of mind profoundly shapes our reality. When our mind is disturbed, restless, or burdened by attachment, worry, or regret, we see it reflected in our interactions, body language, relationships, and overall experience of life. Conversely, a mind anchored in equanimity expresses itself in clarity, grace, and harmony. By carefully observing ourselves, we learn to recognize our mental states early on and consciously return to balance. We learn to choose equanimity repeatedly, deepening our spiritual practice moment by moment.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian  from her commentary on The Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 V.54 Steadfast Wisdom: Living with Clarity and Equanimity

With a steady meditation practice we can live a life of equanimity. We learn to observe our thoughts in meditation and then we take that out into our daily life. When we find ourselves upset, anxious or fearful we can slow down and observe ourselves. Rather than blindly react, we can choose our response. We can choose a calmer way of approaching life.

Meditation Is The Solution

It is on the inward condition that the outer reality depends.
~ Roy Eugene Davis

Our inner state is the foundation upon which our outer world is built. Through daily meditation, we gain the tools to shape our thoughts, calm our minds, and cultivate positive attitudes. Meditation is not just a practice; it's a pathway that empowers us to approach life's challenges with clarity, patience, and resilience.

Having meditated for nearly my entire adult life, I’ve come to realize how much this practice has nurtured my optimism and strengthened my ability to face adversity.

A few years ago, I found myself in a high-stakes situation at work. I had been the IT manager at a small company for ten years, and one week, we were confronted with a potentially catastrophic issue involving our main servers. The problem was so severe that without a solution, the company could have faced collapse. It was my responsibility to find a fix, but there was a catch—our two primary vendors were pointing fingers at each other, leaving me feeling stuck. They claimed no solution was possible.

In the face of growing tension, I paused. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a moment, and meditated. In those brief seconds, I was able to center myself, quiet my mind, and gain perspective. I made one last call to tech support at one of the companies. This time, I spoke to a cheerful, calm representative who assured me that a solution was indeed possible—and within two hours, everything was running perfectly.

To paraphrase Paramahansa Yogananda, "Whatever the problem, meditation is the solution." Even if we hadn't found a solution that day, meditation would have ensured that I stayed grounded and at peace, knowing I had done my best. Meditation doesn't just help us solve problems; it gives us the strength to remain unshaken, no matter how big the challenge. When we master our inward condition, we unlock the power to transform our outer reality.

Notice The Good Each Day

Take heart by noticing the good. Talk about it. Magnify it. Look for it. Share it. Give it attention. Build on it.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

In this time of polarization, anger, fear, anxiety and strife and war it is really easy to focus on the negative and get pulled down by it. It is easy to lay blame on others. If we are focused on all of that, that is all we see. The energy that we are personally experiencing is the energy that we put out into the world. If we are angry or upset, others feel that, even if we don't say anything. But Yogacharya O'Brian says "Take heart!"  When we look for the good in life, we lift up our own energy and others feel that. In the teachings of yoga, that principle of luminosity is called Sattva. Those of us who are striving for a more peaceful and happy life have a responsibility. In difficult times, it is our responsibility to bring positive energy into the world. Postive energy always overcomes negative energy, but sometimes it takes some work. As Yogacharya says, start by noticing the good and take some time to let it sink in. Give it attention and then share it. Start each day by setting an intention to notice the good and end each day by taking stock of the good you have seen or experienced that day. The more of us that participate in life in this way contribute to peace and good in the world. 

Actualize Your Ideal Life

Discard thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and actions which are inconsistent with your highest ideals. Whatever concept of the ideal life you have, actualize it now. You do not have to wait to make useful changes.
Roy Eugene Davis

What are your highest ideals? Does your ideal concept of life involve you being a kinder person to all those around you? Can you envisage being more in the flow of abundance and giving generously to others? Are you ready to accept situations as they truly are move ahead efficiently without wasting time complaining? Will wiser use of your personal time and energy allow you to accomplish more of your highest goals? Personally I have decided to focus more on the right use of my time and energy. Let go of what you perceive as obstacles to achieving your highest ideals. How will you take advantage of this opportunity to move ahead? The possibilities are infinite and the time to begin is now.

Cultivate Balance

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?  It is easy to get out of balance with the busyness of our lives and so many things to do, pushing ourselves beyond what is good for our bodies and minds. We can get overtired. 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 brings 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. When we do that, our lives are more grace-filled and our lives are fruitful. We feel content and at peace. That is balance.

Simplify Your Life

Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become.
~Paramahansa Yogananda

The pursuit of simplicity in life is in harmony with the core spiritual practices taught by Yogananda. Right use of our energy frees us from the wasteful expenditure of time and energy. When we look at how we spend time we can liberate great amounts of it for useful purposes. The practice of non-stealing, not feeling like we lack for anything, can lead us to reduce clutter from our homes and transfer things to others who can make better use of them. Devotion to harmlessness can free us from compulsive attempts to tell others what they should be doing and free energy for our own self-transformation. Harmlessness makes us better listeners and can save us from saying things we might later regret. Simplicity can lead us to inner contentment, that powerful practice that frees us from seeking happiness in the gratification of desires and puts us in touch with our own innate joy. Spend some time pursuing simplicity and see what it can do for you.

Awaken to Compassion

Compassionate action flows naturally from one who sees the underlying unity of all life with the light of the awakened heart. We know compassion because it is a divine quality that already exists in us. We yearn to experience it more fully because we have tasted it. The sweetness of it is within our own hearts; our conscience speaks of it daily.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from her book Living for the Sake of the Soul

Our meditation practice opens up our hearts and minds to observing and experiencing all of life as one. We experience the unity of all of life and understand how we are not individual beings in a separate existence from this manifest world. We come to know and experience how our existence affects all of life as all of life affects us. We are interconnected. As we understand our connection with life, compassionate action just flows from that. It is natural to us. Yogacharya has given the example that we wouldn't desire to taste ice cream if we hadn't already tasted it. We have many soul qualities—divine qualities that are the essence of our being. Love and compassion are two of them. Taste the sweetness. Be the sweetness. 

Desire Can Lead to Sorrow

Sorrow and desire are married. When desire leaves, sorrow cannot remain. 
We often cling to desire, thinking it will lead us to happiness without 
realizing that it also brings suffering.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

 Any desire coming from an egocentric perspective is bound to lead to sorrow because constant change is the nature of worldly fulfillment. If we pin our happiness on a shiny new acquision, we will eventually be disappointed when its allure fades or the relationship doesn't go the way we think it should. It is fine to have desire but not to pin our complete happiness on that thing or relationship. Our true happiness lies within ourself. So where does this leave us? In the spiritual teachings of Kriya Yoga we are advised to attune our consciousness with that divine order which guides the universe. When we follow our intuition, our soul guided wisdom, we will always do or say the right thing and not be attached to the outcome of what we think the desire will bring. Our daily practice of meditation unleashes intuition and shows us the way forward.

Grace and Gratitude

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 The Transformative Power of Divine Grace.

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. The famous spiritual teacher Ramakrishna said "The winds of grace are always blowing, all we need to do is raise our sails."  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."

Open Your Mind to Contentment

Indulging in moods is a great cause of unhappiness that hurts us and others, too. Remember that you are the soul with the  power to resist and overcome any mood. With soul power, open your mind to contentment.  It is available to you in this moment.  Call it forth and claim it.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian Living for the Sake of the Soul

When we leave on the TV or listen to the news too much, it is easy to fall into a sour mood. Just as we wouldn't expose ourselves to toxic chemicals, why overexpose ourselves to what may be toxic around us? Yogacharya O'Brian also says "With contentment practice, one plants seeds of happiness and peace in the present moment. These seeds contribute to the healing of the past and the flowering of peace in our future." Contentment comes from focusing on the divine, on grace and on bright possibilities.  When we mentally affirm positive outcomes and work to support them, wonders occur.
What could you do to empower a practice of contentment?

Our Vital Force: The Energy of Spirit

Vital force is the conscious energy of Spirit that gives life to the soul. When we are living according to divine guidance, expressing the soul's purpose in thought, word, and action, then we are appropriately using our vital force. 
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from her book Living the Eternal Way: Spiritual Meaning and Practice for Daily Life. 

The right use of vital force is an important spiritual practice of Kriya Yoga which is spelled out in the scripture of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In the Yoga Sutras it says "Let nothing distract you from right living and experience great vitality." This is about using our energy wisely and focusing on what supports our life purpose. I find that when I overdo, feeling that only I can do a particular task or that this task has to be done at a specific time, or I can't say no to someone, I find that I can get tired and cranky with people and I begin to feel put out and not happy. Others don't want to be around me. When we focus on what is important, that which supports our mental and physical health, connecting with our soul guidance—doing what we know we should do, we are energized in a way that brings a deep sense of fulfillment. Observe what depletes you or energizes you. Follow your inner guidance. When we are connected with that, our thoughts, words and actions benefit those around us and the world. Connect with your inner vital force and experience great vitality. 

Affirm Abundance in Your Life

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 about what we don't have we can recall the principle that 'like attracts like.' Thoughts of lack attract that experience in the real world. A strong gratitude practice reminds us of what we do have and attracts abundance in an entirely graceful way. We begin to see all in our life as a gift. Try this every day for a week and you may be surprised. Affirm abundance.

Step Out of the Whirlpool of Anxious Thought

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 could be anxious about is long regarding the state of our nation and the world and we also may have our own personal issues. I can easily 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. Being in a positive frame of mind is more supportive for myself and those around me. Now, more than ever, my regular, daily meditation practice supports my positve state of mind. It is what is needed for my own health and well-being and for that of the world. Just imagine the impact when we are all sending 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.

Dwell In A Peace Centered Life

It is on the inward condition that the outer reality depends.
~Roy Eugene Davis

This week we are celebrating the life of the great American Kriya Yoga master, Roy Eugene Davis and commemorating the anniversary of his passing on March 27th, 2019. Roy is the guru of our guru, Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian. Guru means the dispeller of darkness or teacher. Jeff and I were fortunate to know this master teacher in our lifetime.
This quote from Mr. Davis is a reminder that in order to live a life where we are content, happy and experiencing abundance in all ways, it is important to cultivate our inner life. My regular, steady practice of meditation, prayer and living an ethical, God-centered life is what sustains me and supports me when I experience the rough seas that are inevitable. I may initially feel panic, fear or anger when the boat rocks, but being anchored in my soul nature always brings me back to that steady, calm place of peace that is who I am at the core of my being. I am able to witness myself, honor my feelings and discern how best to steady the boat. Instead of staying in that anger or fear, I can change my mind and dwell in that place of peace. It is a much more pleasant place to be.

The Blessing of Meditation

Shiva Temple at The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment

The depth of realization attained in meditation is measured by the acts of love and compassion it inspires.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
 
For those of us who have a regular meditation practice, how are we to judge its effectiveness? The first level answer is not by what happens during meditation. Even on those days when the mind seems as restless as the wind, our constant returning to a point of focus brings many benefits: an improved ability to concentrate, increased awareness of what is occurring in the mind, and an ability to be present as we go about our daily activities. Often others notice the real benefits of our meditation practice before we do: an abiding calm peacefulness and a pleasant disposition despite outer circumstances. However the greatest blessing of meditation is that natural compassion with all those we come in contact with because we realize that we are not really separate from each other at all.

Amazing!

What has amazed you recently....in a positive way? What about the amazing unfolding of divine potential revealing itself every day?
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from Dharma 365! Live Your Higher Purpose

Neuroscientists have found that our brains are wired to see and hang on to the negative. This comes from our cave-person ancestors to needed to constantly look out for danger in order to be safe. It is easy to get caught up in what is negative. It brings down our energy. So it takes self-discipline to look around and see and hold on to the amazing beautiful life around us. 

One of the three foundational principles of Kriya Yoga is self-discipline. We use self-discipline to follow our soul desire which is always guiding us towards living our highest and best life. Yogacharya O'Brian says that "We use self-discipline to thrive. We notice amazing. We feel it. We let it occupy our thoughts and our feelings. We notice how amazing our life is. We practice this—religiously and scientifically. The 'world is a tree bowed down with fruit'(1)." May we have the discipline to see that and make sure we enjoy it."

What has positively amazed you lately?

(1) Rumi

Enjoy The Wonder and Beauty of Each Moment

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. When we live without fear of the future and regret about the past we feel content. Our daily meditation practice gives us the tools to let thoughts which are not useful arise and fall away. We can come to live in the joy which is our true inner nature and enjoy the freedom of a peaceful life.

Be Kind

Kindness is the way we enter the family of all beings. It is how we truly experience belonging. This is why serving others is so satisfying—when we do, we enter the sanctuary of belonging. When we stop leaving others out of the circle of love and kindness, we, ourselves, come into right relationship with life. 
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

The Dalai Lama said, "Kindness is my religion."  The practice of kindness is outcome of the spiritual practice of not harming. It is one of the first spiritual principles for right living that is offered in the yogic scripture called the Yoga Sutras. "Cultivate nonviolence and experience the world as your friend." The Golden Rule, as stated in the Bible, Love your neighbor as yourself  is a unversal teaching. Most spiritual traditions have a form of the Golden Rule. It is the important foundation for living our lives in the highest and best way. With this practice we realize our oneness—our connection with all of life. In this day and age when there is so much strife and division in our world it is important to remember that kindness is a simple act. It doesn't take much. 

Let Go of Attachment

Develop a beginner’s mind by practicing non-attachment to views. Adopt a perspective of openness, curiosity, and willingness to discover. Amazing possibilities reveal themselves to an open mind.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Non-attachment doesn't mean that we don't care but it is a spiritual practice that helps us understand that everything in this manifest world is changeable, including our views, our relationships and our things. 
There are so many benefits to the practice of non attachment:
-non-attachment can be a necessary prelude to open us up to soul guidance
-it frees us from the snares of attraction and aversion and leads to freedom from grasping or pushing away
-non-attachment lowers our stress levels
-it saves energy and lets us focus on what is important
-non-attachment opens our consciousness to enhanced awareness of grace in our lives where we live with more equanimity

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ancient scriptures that teach about Kriya Yoga, the promise of the practice of nonattachment is we are freed from greed and can see life clearly.

Live in Equanimity

Develop a beginner’s mind by practicing non-attachment to views. Adopt a perspective of openness, curiosity, and willingness to discover. Amazing possibilities reveal themselves to an open mind.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Non-attachment doesn't mean that we don't care but it is a spiritual practice that helps us understand that everything in this manifest world is changeable, including our views, our relationships and our things. 
There are so many benefits to the practice of non attachment:
-non-attachment can be a necessary prelude to open us up to soul guidance
-it frees us from the snares of attraction and aversion and leads to freedom from grasping or pushing away
-non-attachment lowers our stress levels
-it saves energy and lets us focus on what is important
-non-attachment opens our consciousness to enhanced awareness of grace in our lives where we live with more equanimity

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ancient scriptures that teach about Kriya Yoga, the promise of the practice of nonattachment is we are freed from greed and can see life clearly.