Supporting Our Spiritual Practices

In The Essence of Self-Realization, Yogananda says, “To meditate a short time with depth is better than to meditate for long hours with the mind running wild. “In the beginning, therefore, don’t force yourself to sit for a long time. Strive for shorter, but deeper, meditations. Then gradually, as you become accustomed to going deep, lengthen the time you sit in meditation.” … Read More

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

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

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

Meditation is deep concentration on God or one of the 8 manifestations of God as per Yogananda’s definition. The key to this is “deep concentration!”  We can be faithful and practice our techniques regularly but without deep concentration, we won’t be making a lot of progress. Master said, ”Mechanical practice is not enough. There must be sincere interest in what … 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 what ever we can to keep ourselves motivated and inspired. Make this a conscious choice. It is the desire … Read More

I was raised in the Southern Baptist church, and even as a child I was expected to tithe 10% of every dime I received, from whatever source. As I grew toward young adulthood, I began to have serious questions about the religion of my youth, and ultimately rejected it in its entirety. My parents were never wealthy, but always had … Read More

Paramhansa Yogananda said, “Making money honestly and industriously to serve Thy work is the next greatest art after the art of realizing Thee.” Tithing spiritualizes our consciousness toward money, helping us to experience God’s presence more completely in all aspects of our lives. It also allows God to use us as instruments for his work in this world. This is … Read More