July 2017

Blue Lotus

7-31-2017

Turn Towards Happiness and Well-being

Paula Whang-Ramos

"Pay attention to the quality of mind you are nurturing in this moment. That quality is the messenger of your life.
Now is the time to nurture happiness and well-being."

~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Sometimes I catch myself impatiently rushing through an activity, thinking that I will calm down as soon as I finish this one task on my "to do" list. But, sometimes, the hurried completion of one task, simply calls me to rush through the next task on the list. Instead of feeling calmer, I am caught up in the energy of activity. Instead of observing the mind's impatience and desire to control and complete activities, I end up reacting from the reactive, impatient mind!

It is during those mindless moments that I am especially appreciative of the practical philosophy and practices of Kriya Yoga. Kriya Yoga offers many remedies and pathways away from the reactive mind. Spiritually conscious living, experiential understanding of our essential wholeness, living joyfully in the One, and meditation are foundational practices that help us live, love and appreciate this divinely blessed moment right now. Instead of living in our reactive minds, we can learn to consciously live in our essential wholeness and all the blessings within and around us. And when we do, then happiness, peace and an empowering sense of wellness are the natural result!

Return to peace. Join us at the Blue Lotus Center and affirm the inner call to return to peace in our minds, hearts, families, community and our world. Practice and study with us from the ancient, universal, time tested techniques of Kriya Yoga, and learn to be the change you want to see in the world now. The Blue Lotus Meditation & Yoga Center welcomes sincere seekers from all backgrounds. Beginning and experienced participants from all traditions are welcome at all groups and classes.

7-24-2017

Passage into Peace

Paula Whang-Ramos

"Exercising our soul nature is the step-by-step work of building character in harmony with our divine nature."

~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Years ago, when I was a Meru Seminary student, I recall an occasion when I was extremely worried about a dear friend. At wits end, I sought guidance from one of the Ministers of the Meru faculty. She patiently listened to the entire story of my friend's situation, including my list of concerns about her current direction. When I was finished, the beloved Reverend simply said, "Row your own boat." I recall thinking, "Row my own boat? That's it? That's her only advice? Did she hear all the details of my entire story?" Yes, she did.

As I meditated into this message, I heard the inner call to remove the mental obstacles that prevented me from realizing Divine Wholeness at work in the lives of my friend and myself. Despite my best intentions, it was not my role or my business to try to direct the sails of my friend's life. It was my job to learn to navigate my own way through the rough waters within me.

As I began to row my own boat, I became more conscious of directing my own thoughts, words and actions into more peaceful, loving interactions. I became aware of the undercurrent of divine grace that always provided safe passage into peace beneath rough waters of life circumstances and our reactions to them. Even today, when I feel my mind trying to board another's boat, I hear the wisdom of my wise teacher, as I redirect my own boat back to the inner peace of the Divine.

Return to peace. Join us at the Blue Lotus Center and affirm the inner call to return to peace in our minds, hearts, families, community and our world. Join us and affirm your commitment to be the blessings of peace, harmony, abundance and well-being now. Practice and study with us from ancient, universal, time tested techniques to be the change we want to see in the world now. The Blue Lotus Meditation & Yoga Center welcomes sincere seekers from all backgrounds. Beginning and experienced participants from all traditions are welcome at all groups and classes.

7-17-2017

The Blessing of Spiritual Community

Paula Whang-Ramos

"Let us encourage one another with spiritual friendship, conversations that are uplifting,

and remembrance of our sacred purpose in life."

~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Our individual daily spiritual practice can be greatly enhanced by participating in a spiritual community. In spiritual community, we share inspiration and motivation to remain focused and intentional in our own lives. Spiritual community participation provides opportunities for us to practice spiritually conscious interactions and reflect the wholeness that we are. In spiritual community, we witness life in the highest way, as we are all carried in the collective consciousness of the One.

Join us this Tuesday evening for Sharing Peace, a time to share, to be inspired and to be restored in the supportive energy of spiritual community. Meditate and receive inspirational teachings. Bring your spiritual practice questions to explore. Be in fellowship and get to know other BLC community members who share your commitment to peace, love and wholeness. Stay for Prayer Circle for Peace to internalize and consciously offer this uplifting energy with all beings.

Return to peace. Join us at the Blue Lotus Center and affirm the inner call to return to peace in our minds, hearts, families, community and our world. Join us and affirm your commitment to be the blessings of peace, harmony, abundance and well-being now. Practice and study with us from ancient, universal, time tested techniques to be the change we want to see in the world now. The Blue Lotus Meditation & Yoga Center welcomes sincere seekers from all backgrounds. Beginning and experienced participants from all traditions are welcome at all groups and classes.

7-10-2017

Gratitude for Teachers

Paula Whang-Ramos

“May the seeker approach the Guru with deep devotion,with humility, and with an enquiring mind;

those masters, who are wise and learned in scriptures,will indeed instruct that devotee in the secret knowledge of the divine Self.”
~ Bhagavad Gita 4:34

I invite you to join me in the energy of this holy weekend of Guru Purnima. In the Yogic tradition, Guru Purnima is celebrated during the full moon in July. It is a time when we honor the one true Guru, the Source of Truth and wisdom, and offer our love and gratitude to the teachers who play that role in our lives, by living spiritual truths and helping us realize the divine wisdom within ourselves and all beings. Considered a spiritual new year for many, this is also a time of deeper reflection and re-commitment to “do what we know we should do” to live and serve in the highest way for all, including our Selves.

Join me and make an offering and re-commitment to the One in all and to all those who so freely support our spiritual awakening. Here are some of the ways that I will be participating in Guru Purnima this weekend:

meditate longer, study sacred scripture, chant spiritual prayers
reflect, journal, meditate on the one Divine Teacher within us all, on the teachers in our lineage of Kriya Yoga, on all the teachers who have supported our spiritual awakening, and on all wisdom teachers from all enlightened traditions
offer a day of silence to withdraw from worldly habits and listen into the divine wisdom within
listen into what Wholeness calls for from us in the year ahead, and be that - to the best of our ability
walking meditation in the energy of the full moon
make a financial offering to support the meditation center where the teacher serves
attend CSE 10 am service Sunday, July 9th, for “Gratitude for Teachers” service, or watch it live online.
be grateful and joyful for all that we have received in this life. Be the peace and love that is the heart of the Teacher. Freely share that consciousness with all.

For all we have received from the One in all, I hope you will join me in giving back, recommitting to Self- and God-realization, and being the change that Life calls forth from us all now. Thank you for your support on all levels to realize the Oasis of Peace at CSE, at Blue Lotus Center and in the hearts of all beings.

7-3-2017

Increase Blessings In Our Lives

Paula Whang-Ramos

"There are those who see the pain of life and not the blessings, those who look for blessings and find them here and there,

and those who offer blessings to all. Be the source of the blessing you are searching for."
~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

As we step into the longer days of summer, I invite you to take a moment and deeply breathe into this question: What are the blessings you are searching for in your life? Perhaps it is more peace in your community, or more harmony in your family, or more generosity and abundance from your employer, or an empowering sense of well-being in the face of physical illness. Whatever they may be, these qualities are attainable by us, even in the face of challenging life circumstances. How is this possible?

Instead of waiting for outer circumstances and people to align with the blessings we seek, we have the power to use our thoughts, words and actions to exemplify these qualities right now. Through our daily meditation and spiritual practice, we learn how to realize and live from our innate wholeness as we free ourselves from mental and behavioral habits that prevent us from living from the blessings we seek in our lives. For example, if we want more peace in our lives, then we can learn to more consciously use our thoughts and speech to promote harmony, inspiration and constructive change that benefits the highest good of all. Additionally, we can learn to redirect our actions to support harmlessness to all life.

This summer at Blue Lotus Center, we are making space for more blessings by offering a new group, Sharing Peace. We are also making a few schedule changes to support additional opportunities to practice and study together as a community. Join us and affirm your commitment to be the blessings of peace, harmony, abundance and well-being now.

Return to peace. Join us at the Blue Lotus Center and affirm the inner calling to return to peace in our minds, hearts, families, community and our world. Practice and study with us from ancient, universal, time tested techniques to be the change we want to see in the world now. The Blue Lotus Meditation & Yoga Center welcomes sincere seekers from all backgrounds. Beginning and experienced participants from all traditions are welcome at all groups and classes.

Meditation & Yoga Center:
CSE south county meditation center