Blue Lotus

March 28, 2021

Look Deeper, Live Deeper

Paula Whang-Ramos

"May the showers of Thy love flood through the walls of Color, Class and Race-Prejudice."
~ Paramahansa Yogananda, (1949) Prayer #65, Whispers From Eternity(First Version)

Among its many definitions, Yoga is defined as the science of Self-realization. Self-realization is "the conscious experience with knowledge of one's true essence of being" (Davis, (2004) The Science of Self-Realization, insert). It is the authentic realization that we are unique expressions enlivened by the Source of all life, infused with Its essential wholeness, creative power, spiritual courage, and divine love. Self-realization is knowing and living from this spiritual Truth. God-realization is realizing that all beings are also individual expressions of Wholeness, divinely endowed with the same qualities, dignity, and value as our Selves.

I've heard it said that the layers of skin that form our skin color are 1/16th of an inch deep. Given the depth, diversity, and complexity of the human body and our spiritual wholeness, 1/16th of an inch is an extremely superficial quality by which to define ourselves and each other. When our life view is this superficial, then we may tend to focus on perceived differences, and lose sight of the deeper unity and spiritual Oneness that enlivens and expresses through us all.

The systemic racism that has infused the consciousness of this country for centuries exemplifies the suffering that arises when we live outside the wholeness and unity of Self- and God-realization. Over 100 years ago, even Paramahansa Yogananda experienced racism in America, as he prayed for a higher consciousness.

As we navigate through these times of continued racial unrest, I encourage us to challenge ourselves and these ancient Yogic teachings. Learn them, live them, and use them to look deeper within. Let them awaken our inner wisdom and courage to name and to uproot those aspects of our own consciousness that feed the perceived separation that fuels racial injustice. I pray that we allow these Truth teachings to guide us to courageous and compassionate right action for the highest good of all. I hope you hear the inner divine call to wake up, grow up and show up, so we can be part of the solution, and not allow our complacency to perpetuate this historical, systemic suffering in our country.

Study, meditate and grow with others devoted to thriving in peace, love, and wholeness. Make this the year that we affirm and skillfully live in peace - in our minds, our hearts, our families, our community, and our world. Blue Lotus Meditation & Yoga Center welcomes sincere seekers from all backgrounds.

March 21, 2021

Living In The Force For Good

Paula Whang-Ramos

"There is a force for good that operates the universe, and we can learn to cooperate with It."
~ Mr. Roy Eugene Davis

Mr. Roy Eugene Davis is the Spiritual Teacher of Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian and a beloved Teacher in CSE and BLC's teaching lineage. As a disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, Mr. Davis was ordained by Yogananda to represent the Kriya Yoga that Yogananda brought to the United States in 1920. Through the teachings of Kriya Yoga, Mr. Davis dedicated his life to the spiritual awakening and soul freedom of sincere seekers from around the world.

And Mr. Davis did more than share the teachings of Kriya Yoga. He lived them. Mr. Davis' life is an inspiring example of the loving consciousness, spiritual intelligence, and deep peace that naturally emerges from a life lived in Kriya Yoga. In deep gratitude to Yogacharya O'Brian, many of us at CSE and BLC were blessed to receive teachings directly from Mr. Davis during his annual visits to CSE.

One of my fondest memories with Mr. Davis is the unconditional genuine warmth and love that I always felt when he held my hands. In those brief timeless moments, I could feel the Truth of that force for good within me. And, beneath any story in my mind or life circumstance, was an unshakable peace, divine wisdom, and unconditional love calling me to remember and to live from this Truth that indwells us all. Join us at CSE online this Saturday as we honor Mr. Roy Eugene Davis, and his humble but fierce dedication for the Self- and God-realization of us all.

Study, meditate and grow with others devoted to thriving in peace, love, and wholeness. Make this the year that we affirm and skillfully live in peace - in our minds, our hearts, our families, our community, and our world. Blue Lotus Meditation & Yoga Center welcomes sincere seekers from all backgrounds.

March 14, 2021

Clarity Through Yogic Wisdom

Paula Whang-Ramos

"Self-doubt clouds the landscape of consciousness and makes it difficult to follow the path of the soul’s wisdom.
Have confidence in your Self. Listen to the still, small voice of conscience and follow it toward your highest good."
~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian, 03/12/2021

Amidst ever-changing COVID-19 rates, vaccine availability, easing sheltering restrictions, and our ongoing daily life experiences, it can be mind-boggling to try to navigate through all the decisions before us today. How do we decide what to do? Yogic teachings remind us that changing, confusing circumstances do not change the clarity of spiritual Truth.

Intentional time in silence and meditation is an ancient remedy for our overwhelming reactions to changing circumstances. In meditative awareness, we can stop spinning on superficial worldly questions whose multiple answers increase our confusion. Instead, meditation can help us turn within towards the inner peace and wisdom waiting to be heard by us. In meditative silence, we can listen into deeper, more profound spiritual questions that offer the guidance we need to navigate through these interesting times.

In the silence of the soul, we can inwardly inquire:

What thoughts, words, and actions can I offer that serve the highest good of all, not just me, not just others?
How can I use my presence to support the Holy One in all, including my Self?
How does God/Divine Love/Unconditional Peace/Oneness call me to think, speak, and act in this situation?

As we listen within, we can realize that these essential spiritual questions do not change as our life circumstance changes. Contemplating these questions can inwardly inspire divine right action for many challenging life circumstances. But don't take my word for it. Live these questions in the laboratory of your own life and experience your divine wisdom for your Self.

Study, meditate and grow with others devoted to thriving in peace, love, and wholeness. Make this the year that we affirm and skillfully live in peace - in our minds, our hearts, our families, our community, and our world. Blue Lotus Meditation & Yoga Center welcomes sincere seekers from all backgrounds.

March 7, 2021

Yogananda's Gift

Paula Whang-Ramos

"The best way to find true freedom is to meditate deeply."
~ Paramahansa Yogananda

In the oneness of Yoga, we are all connected. Beyond linear time, physical gravity, language, culture, and race, we all dwell in the one timeless heart of the Divine. This teaching is radiantly clear today, on the anniversary of the conscious transition of Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the first Yogis to bring Kriya Yoga and meditation to the United States over 100 years ago.

Most of us never had the honor to personally meet or know Yogananda. Some of us may not even know who Yogananda was. And yet, in 1920, Yogananda left the comfort and support of his Spiritual Teacher and community, his family, his language and culture to come to the United States to support the spiritual awakening of you and me and all sincere seekers of inner peace and wholeness…and he didn’t even know us.

In this tradition of Kriya Yoga, we are so blessed to be part of the teaching lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda, who is the Spiritual Teacher of Mr. Roy Eugene Davis, Yogacharya O’Brian’s Spiritual Teacher. All of the teachings offered at BLC, CSE, and the CSE affiliate centers are born from those teachings directly shared by Yogananda to Mr. Davis to Yogacharya O’Brian.

Join us on-line at CSE today as we honor the life of Paramahansa Yogananda. Be restored in meditation, inspiration, and chanting as we experience the eternal Wholeness that Yogananda so freely shared with us all. Honor this beloved Spiritual Teacher whose timeless teachings continue to spiritually awaken lives around the world.

Study, meditate and grow with others devoted to thriving in peace, love, and wholeness. Make this the year that we affirm and skillfully live in peace - in our minds, our hearts, our families, our community, and our world. Blue Lotus Meditation & Yoga Center welcomes sincere seekers from all backgrounds.

“If anything disturbs your peace, practice having faith that divine grace is already actively at work restoring wholeness and well-being.

Then make any necessary adjustments in harmony with that insight.”
Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian, Spiritual Director, Center for Spiritual Enlightenment

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