Inspirational Messages

May 31, 2020

Our Innate Joy

Paula Whang-Ramos

"There is a joy we can know and retain no matter what occurs. This joy is innate to the soul. We have it always.
The secret is to refuse to let anyone or anything take it away."

~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian, 05/11/2015

Amidst all my other daily responsibilities and activities, I have been busy trying to keep up with COVID-19 safety precautions and ever-changing shelter in place requirements. And then a wise, innocent child comes along and instantly humbles my smart adult mind. His contagious smile reminds me of the innate joy that indwells us all. His trusting eyes reflect a loving caution that over-focusing on my "to do" list puts me at risk for overlooking greater divine gifts in the moment.

Equipped with only a lime squeezer, this "joy boy", as his family calls him, stands boldly ready to squeeze out the bitter so the juicy part of life can be revealed. And, he did not have to leave his home or complete a long task list to do this. He simply surrenders into his indwelling joy, literally in his own back yard. He reminds me that nothing more needs to be done or changed or protected to realize the inner joy and peace that indwell us all - right here, right now, in our own inner space. I put down my list, hold this sweet boy in my heart, and breathe into the joy and gratitude of this moment. I love how the innocence of a child can help us smart adults remember what is important in our lives, don't you?

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.

May 24, 2020

Equanimity During Uncertainty

Paula Whang-Ramos

"When we are confronted by an unpleasant task, we can handle it with dispassionate finesse, and
perhaps even learn something worthwhile in the process."

~ Mr. Roy Eugene Davis, The Eternal Way: The Inner Meaning Of The Bhagavad Gita 2009, p. 247

Our daily schedules may be disrupted. Our relationship with time may be confused. We may feel tired of being confined and stressed from the unpredictability of the future. How are we to cope during these challenging times? Based on wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Yogic spiritual text, Mr. Davis offers practical suggestions to help us consciously navigate through these uncertain times.

Mr. Davis reminds us of the importance of focusing our attention and awareness on the task in the present moment, where we have the most influence. We refrain from worrying about past and future circumstances over which we have no control. Also, we can hold a compassionate space for our reactions to these difficult times, and refrain from allowing our emotions to define our integrity and ability to respond. In Yoga, this practice is referred to as "equanimity" or even-mindedness. It is the skillful practice of learning to relate to our feelings, instead of from them.

Equanimity allows us to preserve our vital force so we can redirect our awareness into the divine wisdom that exists beyond our reactions to "unpleasant" tasks. In divine wisdom, we can realize that we are stronger than we think, and that we can constructively grow through challenge and change. Over time, we can learn to respond to all tasks as opportunities to inwardly awaken into more wisdom guided, joyful, peace-filled lives. If you are interested in learning more about the inspiring Yogic teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, join us for "Living In Freedom" (details below).

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.

May 17, 2020

Take A Breath

Paula Whang-Ramos

"Whatever sorrow there is in life, whatever sickness there is, whatever hatred there is, whatever unrest there is,
Spirit is stronger. When we call it forth, the power of love will rise up to meet any difficulty."
~ Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian

This continues to be an unprecedented time of unexpected change and incredible loss for thousands of individuals and families. At times, it can seem too much to take. So, let's stop trying to do so. Let's stop following the spinning mind that tries to analyze, explain, predict, and control unexpected circumstances that continue to unfold.

Instead, let's try a little tenderness, for ourselves and each other. Can we please just stop and take a breath? Let's allow ourselves to grieve what was lost. Take a breath. Let's allow our hearts to break open into the realization of the gifts in our lives that still remain. Because, amidst all that has been lost and all that has been found, love still remains. Love for what we are, for what we have, for what has been taken from us, and for what is to come.

At the core of our Being, we are much stronger, more resilient, and adaptable than we think we are. When we live into the Source of life that flows through all we are and all we experience, then we avail ourselves to the indwelling Power and Presence that transcends all temporary circumstances in our lives. Let's take a breath into fierce tenderness and courageous love in the essence of our Being, and let that grace guide us through these temporary times.

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.

May 10, 2020

Which Meditation App Should We Use?

Paula Whang-Ramos

The most illuminating answer to the question,

"What is the best meditation practice?" is "Steady practice”.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

Thirty-two years ago, when I first learned to meditate, our cultural consciousness generally ignored meditation as a viable way of living, typically dismissing it as a passing "new age" fad. In contrast, today, rock stars, rappers, TV personalities, and cosmetic companies offer meditation Apps, each promising life qualities we may desire. We can become so distracted trying the newest App of the week, that we never really settle into an effective, steady, daily meditation practice.

What is meditation? What are the basic steps of an effective meditation practice? What are the benefits that a steady meditation practice can offer? Can individuals from any or no spiritual background meditate? Which Meditation App is based on the most effective, time tested practices available?

If you are new to meditation, or if you would like to refresh your daily practice, then join BLC online this Thursday evening for our "Learn to Meditate" class. Based on the oldest meditation teachings in the world, we will explore the essential aspects of an effective meditation practice; be led through a meditation experience; and offer practical support so you can immediately set up, or refine, your daily meditation practice at home. Learn how to use the most effective meditation application available, your Self, and directly experience how your life can steadily change for the better.

Join us at Blue Lotus Center this Tuesday for our new online afternoon meditation group and Wednesday evening for our ongoing meditation group. 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.

May 3, 2020

The Courageous Choice

Paula Whang-Ramos

"Your choices and actions of the moment determine your near and distant experiences.
Choose wisely and act decisively. Your highest good is available to you."
~ Mr. Roy Eugene Davis,Living Consciously In God, pg. 46.

When we witness upsetting news stories or experience challenging personal circumstances, it can be difficult to stop the wave of negative emotions and thoughts that flow through us. We have genuine concern for ourselves and others and, yet, we may be too confused or scared to wisely respond. It takes courage to refrain from boarding the "ain't it awful" train of thought that fails to serve the highest good of any of us.

A greater service we can offer to others and ourselves is to realize these moments of perceived powerlessness as potential opportunities to open into our own inner clarity, courage, and consciousness. We have the power to use these difficult situations, and our reactions to them, as inner calls to deepen our daily meditation practice, so we can return into the divine wisdom that waits to be heard and followed by us.

Again and again, we can choose to disembark the train of collective UNconsciousness fueled by fear, and choose instead, to sit in stillness. When we do, then we make ourselves available to a deeper inner wisdom that can guide and inspire us into being the constructive change we want to see in the world right now.

Join us at Blue Lotus Center this Tuesday for our new online afternoon meditation group and Wednesday evening for our ongoing meditation group. 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.

Blue Lotus

Meditation & Yoga Center:

CSE south county meditation center