Forget the past, for it is gone from your domain! Forget the future, for it is beyond your reach! Control the present! Live supremely well now! This is the way of the wise. ― Paramahansa Yogananda How much time and energy could we save if we completely dropped the habits of worrying about the future or regretting what has happened in the past? Our daily meditation practice allows us to develop an active witness consciousness as we concentrate on a single point of focus as a prelude to the shift into meditation itself. This self-monitoring consciousness can guide us throughout the day. Each ti ..read more

NASA -2024 Solar Eclipse Once God is found in the temple of our hearts, we find the divine radiance everywhere. We see the One shining in all eyes and hear the divine name resounding in every sound. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian The teachings of Yoga tell us that there is nothing in this manifest world that is not God (or however you perceive of that Divinity). The Divine Light is everywhere and in every thing. It is a delight to see that light everywhere. We try to share that beauty of God in the photos we offer. I think that for those who witnessed the solar eclipse recently it was ..read more

The quickest way to lose inner peace is to argue with the way things  are. The quickest way to regain it is to accept what is. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian We all know that lamenting over unfortunate situations only brings  discomfort and wastes energy, but it is so easy for most of us to  emotionally argue with reality when it seems unjust. When we have the  insight to recognize that we are behaving like Don Quixote, jousting at  windmills, there is a chance to perceive that there are two directions  where we can focus our energy: inside or outside. When ..read more

Yoga practice is not for one who overeats or engages in extensive fasting from food, nor it it for one who sleeps excessively or who does not obtain adequate sleep. For one whose diet and recreation are moderate, whose actions are disciplined, whose routines of sleep and waking are regulated, the practice of yoga removes all unhappiness. ~The Bhagavad Gita 6:16-17 as translated by Roy Eugene Davis in The Eternal Way The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient scripture which contains deep teachings about how to live our life in the highest way. In his commentary on these verses, Mr. Davis ..read more

The successful practice of meditation requires balance and focus — qualities that are essential to a happy, successful life. Cultivate balance today.  ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian Just think about how most broadly successful days start. For many of us, these days begin with meditation and gentle exercise. Life can be a blissful dance when we balance work, satisfying and supportive relationships, moderate healthy eating, and uplifting play. We all know what it feels like when we lost this balance, so why not make those wise choices that benefit us and all those around us ..read more

The antidote for regret is to move our awareness into the present moment. Consider what you can do now that makes a difference. ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian It is so common to look back on our lives and have regrets for what we did or didn't do. We can waste a lot of time in that regret or we can look at those things we regret and see them as life lessons. We can look at those events that we regret and consider how we can move forward in our life and do it differently if a similar situation comes up. We also forgive ourselves, like a parent would forgive their child for making a mistake. S ..read more

Be aware that each word you speak is a seed planted in the field of life. Each word spoken puts energy into motion. Let us pay attention to what we say and why we say it. As a spiritual practice, seek to discover the intention and motive behind your words. What is it that is speaking? Is love speaking? ~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian  As we move into the new year it is common to make a New Year's resolution. The problem with this is that these resolutions are often broken fairly soon. A resolution is defined as solving a problem or resolving an issue. Why not set an intention?  ..read more

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 have all the resources I need to carry out my useful intentions." Keep your affirmation in the pres ..read more

The peace we pray for in our world, the love we hope for, the healing we yearn for, and the joy we welcome are natural expressions of spiritual awakening. What the world needs is this awakening. Let us pray for it today and believe in our hearts that it is possible now.  ~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian (from her book The Path of Wonder: A Meditator's Guide to Advent) Yogacharya continues by saying "Embrace the idea that spiritual enlightenment is your inevitable destiny. Know that you are already enlightened at the core of your being, a pure expression of the one divine life of God. Id ..read more

Advent coincides with Winter Solstice and myths from many times and cultures, which provide and entry into sacred time. Sacred time is a portal. It can take us into the profound, spiritual significance of the time of year, the time in our world, in our lives and our consciousness. ~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian (from her book The Path of Wonder: A Meditator's Guide to Advent) We are reminded, by the Christian practice of Advent that this is a sacred time of the year as it is for the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah which celebrates the coming of the light. Diwali, the festival of lights was rec ..read more