Aligning with Grace

Every year at this time, I look forward to receiving the new Inner Reflections desk calendar published by the Self-Realization Fellowship , with inspirational quotes by Paramahansa Yogananda , accompanied by the most stunning photographs - a veritable feast for the eyes and nourishment for the soul. Call me an "old fashioned" kind of girl - but I really do prefer an Engagement calendar for my desk, inviting my glance every morning, rather than using the electronic apps provided by my mobile devices. Yes - I do love the "tactile" feeling of flipping pages, taking in the amazing photographs, and savoring the delicious quotes. And this year's calendar, does not disappoint! This is truly one of my favorite gifts of the season! The pictures are breathtaking and even haunting at times - and the quotes that are highlighted, always complement the photos exquisitely. For example: A picture of a palm tree stretches out horizontally atop white sands, its fronds se...

Today is National Day of Prayer, and a wonderful opportunity to take some time to say a prayer, or spend a few moments in meditation... I began my day, by doing a few meditations by the river after arising this morning, followed by sitting for an hour, for an exquisite session, filled and blessed by many insights, cascading all around me. It occurred to me, that I was "tuning" into the vibrations of many others joined in prayer today, and connected to saints and angels in the celestial realms. I have chosen to share a few brief prayers here from Paramahansa Yogananda for your own reflections. All of the quotes are by one of my favorite of his books, Where There is Light , published by the Self-Realization Fellowship, in Los Angeles, CA, All rights reserved. Enjoy! "O Divine Teacher, let me realize that though the gloom of my ignorance be age-old, with the dawn of Thy light the darkness will vanish as though it had never been." "Bless me, that I may find Thee...

On this beautiful, and magnificent morning, I ponder the safe delivery of a friend and her baby boy, and continue to hold them in my prayers as they await tests... I pray for a friend whose father is in the process of transitioning... And for another awaiting surgery - and still another in the midst of a long convalescence. And this is just a mere sampling of those for whom I am praying. The needs are many... But on this day, which is also the 60th anniversary of the Mahasamadhi of Paramahansa Yogananda, I am comforted in the knowledge that he intercedes for all of my friends in a very special way. On this day, 60 years ago, Yogananda left his earthly form to be more present to all, from the Spiritual Realm. And so, I mark this beautiful occasion, by sharing some samples from his writings which seem very appropriate and speak to many experiences and situations I have been experiencing: "Through meditation one can experience a stable, silent inner peace that can be a permanently so...

This is the time of year that I look forward to getting my new calendars for the coming year. I like to collect yoga poses and create my own wall calendar for my office. But I also like a good, "old fashioned" desk calendar that I can write in. As tech savvy as I am, I just prefer a beautiful engagement calendar with inspirational quotes to feed my soul from week to week during the coming year. These calendars have changed throughout the years, but for the last several ones, my desk has been beautifully graced and my soul has been just as equally inspired, by the "Inner Reflections" calendars published by the Self-Realization Fellowship . Each yearly edition is nothing short of exquisite - comprised of breathtaking photographs accompanied by inspirational quotes and selections from the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda. And so, I recently received the 2012 edition, with its beautiful fall maple leaves on the cover - a simple composition of gorgeous bursts of orange,...

Deep into the night, I read these words, that Paramahansa Yogananda once spoke to Sri Daya Mata , the woman entrusted with leading the organization he established: "Be so drunk with the love of God that you will know nothing else but God; and give that love to all!" Yogananda says this, in response to a question asked by Sri Daya Mata , who cannot imagine how his work will continue without him. Sri Daya Mata recently passed, after leading the Self-Realization Fellowship that Yogananda established and entrusted with his teachings and writings. She was the spiritual mother of Yogananda's disciples and devotees for 55 years - having assumed its direction in 1955, the year that I was born. I reflect on how this incredible woman, was faithful to her Guru for my entire life span... But, I am also deeply moved by these words, and try to imagine what it would be like to embody them, in every moment, experience, encounter - and even beyond that - in every thought and action a...

There are so many things that warm the heart and the soul... I think of this - on this beautiful morning as I look out the window to an explosion of fall colors. Every year, I am amazed at this spectacular display from nature; it never fails to disappoint! I think of this - as I bask in the afterglow of Jim Brickman's piano recital last night, at the Barnes at Wolf Trap . His evocative melodies and the passion with which he plays - I almost wrote - "prays" - are still resonating deeply within. When I watched him play last night - I thought to myself - yes - this is how he prays - with his whole body and soul - and his magical hands - making beautiful music that wafts up to the heavens as incense rises before God. I think of this - as I turn to the Spiritual Diary of Yogananda - every day before I begin my morning meditations. I have been doing this for years, and still the quotes are fresh. I share this excerpt from today: "You are endowed with greater strength ...