The devotee’s undesirable habit-mechanisms in the brain are often cauterized (in the presence of a saint); the groove of his worldly tendencies beneficially disturbed. -Autobiography of a Yogi The Positive Influence of Meditation on the Brain Regular meditation improves our lives. This phenomenon is gratefully experienced by countless people around the globe. But Why? One asks. What is going on? One … Read More
All over the world in ever-increasing numbers, people find their way to the practice of meditation. They discover how amazingly it increases the quality of their lives. In this article, we will explore what really happens when we meditate, how meditation may impact our lives, and how we can potentially maximize our efforts. What Happens When You Meditate: Scientific Research … Read More
Meditation is like a precious diamond. It shines with countless facets and benefits for body, mind, and soul. Here are 21 facets and reasons to meditate. If you are feeling ambitious, why not consider focusing on one each day over the next few weeks as a sparkling motivation to develop or deepen your practice. 1. HERE AND NOW Happiness can … Read More
Years ago an Italian yoga magazine sent three formidable questions to Swami Kriyananda: What does God want of us? What does God give us? Who is God? Soon he sent an article back to them, stimulating as always. It is now kept as a precious keepsake with his handwritten corrections on it. Here is what Kriyananda wrote: What does God … Read More
Swami Kriyananda in his 2012 Easter message offered an inspiring challenge to us: “Easter is a reminder, once a year – more than New Year, when you make resolutions which most people break within a few hours – to tell yourself: ‘As Christ resurrected himself, I want to resurrect myself. Whatever I have been, whatever faults I have had, whatever … Read More
eath is one of life’s most profound mysteries. It is often surrounded by intense fear, a sense of irreparable loss, and heartbreaking grief. We are confronted with the dark abyss of the unknown when we are unexpectedly confronted by death. In that moment of grief and loss, we may wonder, “What happens now? What happens after death and what has … Read More
It’s just another normal day. But then…. imagine… the doorbell rings. You go to open the door, curious as to who would show up at this late time of the year. To your great surprise, a very special person is standing before you: Mr. New Meditative Year. He smiles at you in greeting and silently hands you a special note. … Read More
The Bird of Paradise On the Wings of Swadhyaya: Self-Study The mystery of suffering Our soul – the essence of our being – consists of pure bliss (sat-chid-ananda), as the great Masters teach us. But do you feel this bliss right now? Probably not. Instead we all suffer, go through hard times and have lives which can be amazingly tough. … Read More
Great soul, A fruit tree produces a lot of fruit one year, but only a little the next. Meditation is similar: sometimes it is enjoyable and produces delicious fruit; sometimes there is no fruit, no enjoyment, no inner contact. Yet – fortunately so – even when our meditations are only moderately fruitful, they still produce an abundance of benefits, both … Read More
Happy New Year! Do you find this wish pleasing, if somewhat shallow? Indeed, it’s a common seasonal wish, but one that is often empty of content, a social custom, habitually repeated millions of times over the festive season. Together as Daily Meditators, however, let’s charge these words “Happy New Year” with power and meaning, with intention and truth. 2018 has … Read More
