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
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
Calmness is one of the eight manifestations of God that one can experience in meditation. Peace is also an aspect of God, though there is a difference between Peace and Calmness. Paramhansa Yogananda explained the difference in this way: Peace is an early meditative experience. Peace, like weightless waterfall, cleanses the mind of all anxiety and care, bestowing heavenly relief. … Read More
Our soul is, in reality, free, joyous and powerful spirit. But in our present egoic state – i.e. in which our soul identifies with the body and in which we perceive ourselves as “John” or “Mary” – it is as though we had built an egohouse around our spirit, complete with walls and roof. In this way, it receives much … Read More
I’ve just been meditating with Nayaswami Jyotish, the Spiritual Director of Ananda. He led a prayer, played a chant, and guided us into meditation. It felt like he was actually there.
In fact, we weren’t meditating together in person but through the new free Ananda Meditation app. I was watching his meditation video, “Expand Your Consciousness,” one of the 14 already published. (We’ll be adding new meditations every couple of weeks.)
So instead of an inspirational letter this month, we wanted to invite you to try this app. The guided meditations from long-time meditators are the centerpiece, but there’s a lot more that I think you may find valuable.…
When I was a little girl I used to wait at the corner bus stop for the bus that would take me to school. There were buses that took students to grade school, junior high school, and high school. Sometimes the older kids would be talking about their classes, a test, math problems. I used to wonder, with a little … Read More
Dear Daily Meditator, Usually when talking about meditation, we focus on going inside. In fact, the meditative steps, as described in antiquity, are pranayama, withdrawal of the inner energy, and pratyahara, interiorization of the senses and the mind. Once we are in this inward state, we experience dharana (concentration on an inner experience); then dhyana (oneness with that experience); and … Read More
The Indian scriptures say that creation is cyclic: the universe comes into being, stays for a time, and then is dissolved. Furthermore, they say that these three phases of universal existence are in operation at all times: The universe is constantly being created, constantly being preserved, and constantly being dissolved again. These three forces co-exist; they are not opposing energies, … Read More
Each year in March we celebrate the mahasamadhis of two great masters, Paramhansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar. Mahasamadhi means “great samadhi” — it is the conscious, willful, final exit of a master from the physical body. Scripture states that the anniversary of a mahasamadhi is a very auspicious time and consequently a great opportunity to tune into the consciousness of … Read More
Hold to the great calmness you feel during and after this practice. Cling to that peace as long as possible.
