Habit can be a powerful ally if you have developed the right ones. Conversely, as you also know, they can sabotage your most earnest efforts. So it would seem like a worthwhile use of your time, to reflect on those habits that both help and hinder a good meditation. As Yogananda told us, “You can’t get rid of the darkness … Read More
There is a folktale called “God Is Coming To Dinner?’ One day, a lady receives in the mail a letter that states, “Please prepare a meal for me tonight. I will be coming to your house for dinner. Love, God” She was poor and lived frugally, so this was a big request. Her heart and soul were thrilled. And so … Read More
Creation is our Mother in the form of nature. God, through the power of intelligent vibration, has created and sustains the universe, and is seated at the still heart of all flux. In celebrating Mother’s Day, let us include God as Mother, housekeeper of creation. The Bible tells us that God gazed upon His creation and called it good! We, too, should … Read More
From a Sunday Service talk by Nayaswami Susan McGinnis, at Ananda Meditation Temple in Bothell. As spiritual seekers, we are engaged in affirming our Oneness with all life. Our daily meditation is one way in which we do this, but much of our time is not spent in meditation. What we do, and even more importantly, the thoughts and feelings … Read More
Sometimes (and sometimes a lot!) on the spiritual path, we experience times when we struggle with our meditation practice. This is not new to most of us who have been meditating for a while. During these times we need to do whatever we can to keep ourselves motivated and inspired. Make this a conscious choice. It is the desire for … Read More
(Note: this is a summary of Jamuna’s talk at Sunday Service on February 28, 2010.) In today’s readings we hear that Jesus scolded the Pharisees for their complaint that His disciples did not wash their hands before eating. Jesus admonishes them for honoring only the letter of the law while missing the spirit. Consciousness, He says, is what ultimately determines … Read More
“The law was given by Moses, but truth and grace came by Jesus Christ.” This quotation from the gospel of St. John, Chapter 1, is not a critique of Moses. It describes the universal truth that the evolution of consciousness requires that we first learn the do’s and the don’ts of behavior before we can begin to experience transcendent truth … Read More
Swami Kriyananda’s study course Material Success through Yoga Principles has been a major focus of my teaching for the past two years here at Ananda Seattle. 2010 is the third year of teaching this course and I find that the experience just gets richer and deeper with each go-around. Recently in class, we were discussing Lesson #9, The Importance of … Read More
Stillness cannot be achieved by simply doing nothing because movement is deeply embedded into our body cells and into our subconsciousness. Stillness lies at the center of all movement. It is the source of our vitality and intelligence. The science of meditation gives us the tools to discover the passageway to the hidden chamber of silence within. Ignoring the science … Read More
A challenge for anyone who meditates, whether new to the practice or a long time meditator, is how to quiet the active mind! The “monkey mind” is a big contender for our attentions! Paramhansa Yogananda, in the book, Conversations With Yogananda, offered this solution to Swami Kriyananda when Swami was having difficulty quieting his mind in meditation: Yogananda said, “Don’t … Read More