Kriya Yoga Today with Yogacharya O'Brian

Chapter 2 v. 1-15 Chapter Two is where the teachings of Lord Krishna begin. The message of the Bhagavad Gita is about the art of living, about skillful living. It's a third way. It's not about doing or not doing. It's about skillful living right where we are in the situation that we find ourselves. Let’s take a look at how to live as an immortal being in a world of constant change.

Continuing with Chapter 1, we look at how our presence in the world following our Dharma and awareness that life is eternal allows spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is obtaining that highest insight and using it to inform the choices we make, as opposed to using it as a means to escape from the world and our duties.

Continuing with Chapter 1, we look at how the divine life, the soul life, is lost in the first place. How does that happen? And why does that happen? Even though we are the radiant beings that we are, how is it that we gamble away our peace, our freedom, and our own Self-knowing? How do we lose that in the world? And how do we begin to reclaim it?

The first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, per teachings of Kriya Yoga masters, is that what is happening in this battle is really a battle for the soul life. The forces that are at play are the various viewpoints of the mind, the various tensions that go on between the lower drives in the mental field and our desires, and the pull of the soul or of higher consciousness to fulfill its divine destiny.

The teachings, the teacher, and the spiritual community are all a refuge from being lost in a world of dissatisfaction. Paramahansa Yogananda’s teacher, Sri Yukteswar would often say, “The boat that caries souls across the river of delusion is ready to depart. Who will go? Who will go? If no one goes, I will go!” Such unwavering determination is the way.

A practical look at the mystery of karma and a few strategies for overcoming obstacles on our path that we can begin right away.

Nothing compares to the power of gratitude and love to transform our lives. Clarity about our divine purpose connects us to that power and sets us on the path of ultimate freedom.

By seeing ourselves and the context of our life clearly, we can live skillfully with equanimity, discernment, and faith. We can draw our strength, wisdom, direction, and perspective from the soul (our essential Self) even while we attend to multiple demands of the day. Learn to float with the grace and ease of timeless omnipresence in the time-bound ocean of change.

Space allows all the other elements to arise. It is the most subtle, invisible field—an opening for possibility on all levels, physical, mental, and spiritual. Our need for space is fundamental, it allows us to accommodate all that arises and passes away. To be spacious is to be open to what is without undue attachment or aversion. In that space, is the soul’s joy.

Air Element of Nature: As we notice what air makes possible, we begin to see how it supports healing and what it can teach us about openness and clarity. This subtle, pervasive, and essential support for life teaches us how to connect with, and honor, our connection to Spirit.

The fire element is associated with our ability to see—both through the physical light that illumines things around us and the spiritual light of consciousness that removes the darkness of ignorance. Fire in our hearts and in our wisdom-guided will can provide the energy we need for right action. Learn how to prepare for Love’s transforming fire.

Water purifies, heals, and transforms. Our thirst naturally draws us to its life-supporting power and our soul is soothed by its energy as rain, mist, ocean waves, or river songs. In nature, water flows to low places, gathers its power, and nurtures life. As a guru and divine companion, water shows us how to realize our soul power and become a nurturing presence. Its message: learn how to let go

Begin your healing journey of soul renewal by entering the auspicious shrine of earth. Be present to earth’s teachings and discover the transforming mystery of stability and yielding. How do we do that, what does it mean, and what can such a way of being make possible? By standing exactly where we are in this moment and opening to the innate imperative to bloom, we learn how to connect with the di...

This episode is focused on what Yogananda’s autobiography reveals about the path of Kriya Yoga, the journey of discipleship, and the way of mastery.

We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. How can we set ourselves up for the highest success? Join Yogacharya O’Brian for a joyful and practical exploration of our capacity to discover the happiness that endures.

We belong only to God and are restless like a river until we find our way to the ocean of divine Reality. When we are ready and hear the truth of our existence proclaimed, we recognize it and wake from our slumber of separation. Then, how shall we live?

Spiritual realization opens the heart, purifies the mind, and empowers our visionary capacity. This intuitive, visioning power is what we need now to heal, both individually and globally.

The omnipresent Lord of Love is auspiciousness itself. Contemplate your life as auspicious. Open to it. Discover the way to experience it. Don’t miss it!

The spiritual path is always illumined by the grace of the guru—the Eternal Friend patiently awaiting our arrival. Discipleship is our step on to that path and our return to our true Self.

The power of our creative imagination rests on the divine cosmic Word. It takes form through our speech. Like a chariot that rides from the heavens and traverses the earth, our truthful words light up life and bring healing to a broken world.

Learning to attend, to listen deeply, to what stirs the heart with divine remembrance infuses our days with hope and profound well-being. Pay attention to the lighted path.

What does it take for us to live a divine life and contribute to a just and merciful world? Discover three steps for embracing the highest good for your life and our world.

There is a natural harmony to the universe that brings forth healing and the fulfillment of divine potential. To cooperate with that principle of harmony, we must open our mind beyond what has been and make space for possibility.

Be an Upstanding Human Being. With courage and commitment, live the simple, straightforward truth of your divine life. Uprightness unlocks our highest potential. Arise!

When we free ourselves from the stronghold of anger, we gain access to the transforming graces of love—a far greater power.