Dear Friends, This past weekend, some of us drove up to Dallas for a retreat centered on the theme of transmuting our karma. After three days of the high vibration we shared there, as well as benefiting from my uplifting traveling companions, I came home feeling as if in a bubble of deep, impenetrable joy! Before reaching my house, I ordered tacos … Read More
Dear Ones, As Inner Renewal Week roles on, here is a prayer from Paramhansa Yogananda to renew our resolve to meditate deeply everyday. I find it deeply inspiring, and feel (I think everyone will agree) that the most important word in the entire prayer is perhaps the word “Today.” Let us ask ourselves: “Have we been meditating deeply everyday?” If not, let … Read More
Here are some wonderful precepts from Paramhansa Yogananda on How to elicit a Divine response through the interplay of devotion and meditation: Discover Your True Nature in Silence From How to Awaken your True Potential by Paramhansa Yogananda ~~ Meditation is complete relaxation, the only way to know God. You can do everything else but meditate, and you will never find that … Read More
Divine friends, What is this consciousness flowing through my brain? Can it be other than divine? What is this life flowing through my veins — Can it be other than divine? I am one with the infinite aum! This chant and the quote above highlight the physical and metaphysical crossroads of our human body. Sometimes we feel our physical body is a hindrance to our … Read More
Paramhansa Yogananda often called Saint Francis his “patron saint.” Here, Saint Francis teaches one of his most advanced disciple, Brother Leo, about “True” spiritual progress, which consists, not of experiencing “phenomena”. but of achieving the state of unshakeable joy. Yogananda called this the ability to “stand unshaken amidst the crash of breaking worlds.” The intensity of St. Francis’ joyous renunciation … Read More
Dear Friends, While Asha Nayaswami was visiting us and speaking at the Texas Yoga Retreat last October, she also did a podcast with a student group from UT called the Polymath Club — students who design their own degree plans from various disciplines they are interested in. This podcast series is charmingly called “The Unfinished Mind” and here is the link to their 30-minute … Read More
From the Chapter “The Guru’s Reminiscences”, The New Path by Swami Kriyananda Talk turned one evening to the attributes of success. “Will power,” Master told us, “is more important to success than knowledge, training, or even native ability. Some people, when you shake them, reply with a groan, ‘Don’t bother me; I’m sleeping.’ Others wake up a little bit, but if you … Read More
Dear Friends in the Light, I’ve been listening to the talks Asha Nayaswami has been giving around the world after she left Austin last October. As she did here, she has been inspiring others with her deep insights and warmhearted eloquence. In Mumbai she spoke about “How to know and trust your inner guidance” linked here. It’s a good question that … Read More
One of the most common mistakes on the spiritual path is to equate progress with psychic phenomena of various kinds. Visions, voices, and other mental or psychic phenomena are no sign in themselves of genuine exaltation of consciousness. The basis of all true progress is right attitude. If you are becoming more kind, more self-giving, more calm, you may be … Read More
Namaste, Friends! During these times of accelerated pace and rapid changes (are you feeling it, too?), we crave those practices that affirm who we truly are (I know I do!). Though we are in this world and must perform our roles effectively, let us remember our true essence is an unchanging, ever-new bliss. Daily, solitary soul moments keep us going, … Read More