Becoming present is central to the practice of meditation. Being present is to let go of the past and future to dwell in the eternal now — the only moment that truly exists. The sages tell us it’s in the present moment that we are to find God. Paramhansa Yogananda said, “We are just as much a part of Him now as … Read More
When Pain Challenges Daily Meditation
The subject of physical pain oftentimes comes up when sharing with people about their meditation practice. While each person’s circumstance is very different, a few simple adjustments to our perspective and attitude can make a big difference. “God, let’s do this together.” Swami Kriyananda wrote the following about overcoming pain: “A few years ago I had been working very hard, … Read More
Be Still and Know
“The soul cannot be confined within man-made boundaries. Its nationality is Spirit. Its country is Omnipresence.” – Paramhansa Yogananda Through our sixth sense, intuition, we can experience the truth of this statement. “Intuition is that power of Spirit inherited by the soul by which truth is perceived directly, without the medium of any other faculty. As the vastness of the … Read More
How to Meditate with a Newborn
5:57 am Realizing what time it is, you wake up and take your baby daughter into the living room so that her mother can get some sleep. 6:03 am You start a diaper change while trying to stay awake. Aphorisms pop into mind which you can’t resist sharing with your eight-week-old, an obvious symptom of early-onset dad humor. “Life is … Read More
Feeling – The Essence of Consciousness
Parmahansa Yogananda explained that there are four aspects to our consciousness: Mon, Buddhi, Ahankara, and Chitta. We perceive with the mind (Mon); define with the intellect (Buddhi); identify personally with the ego (Ahankara); and feel one way or another about things (Chitta). Most people identify their capacity to feel with their emotions and therefore, with the reactive process. The essence … Read More
Wisdom of the Heart
Wisdom is the power of the soul to know truth. By thinking with the rational mind, we will not be able to comprehend truth. It is through the heart that we perceive and understand the deepest truths. As we get in touch with the heart, calm feeling will inspire our thoughts and behavior to right action. Reason tends to analyze, … Read More
Hidden Potential
Most people meditate for relaxation, stress relief, better health, and calmer emotions. Those who practice meditation regularly with attention, sooner or later will have an experience of superconsciousness. Swami Kriyananda writes: Spiritual advancement is not a question of attaining anything. It is simply a matter of opening wide the door to a state of conscious being that is ours already, … Read More
Contentment: The Golden Note
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
The Promised Land
As a child growing up in Israel in the Jewish faith, I believed that Israel was the Promised Land. In my early twenties, as I started to practice yoga and meditation, I began to question whether the Promised Land was a physical territory. When I became a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, studied his teachings and practiced the meditation techniques that … Read More
My Soul Will Constantly Hum, Unheard by Any, God, God, God*
Some years ago, our friend Garrett was diagnosed with a glioblastoma tumor on the brain. He underwent a rigorous regime of chemotherapy and radiation which culminated in the administration of a “trial drug.” When it too showed no positive effect, his condition rapidly finished out its destined course. Garrett passed with freedom in his heart and loving surrender to the … Read More
